Case Law

This page shows a summary of relevant case law. To view the section of legislation to which the case law applies, click the link below:

Case Law

Expenses incurred in travelling to the place of work not allowed in Ricketts v Colquhoun 10 TC 118. However travelling expenses incurred in the course of the duties of employment are allowed, Nolder v Walters 15 TC 388.

In Pook v Owen 45 TC 571, costs incurred by a doctor in travelling between his home and the hospital were allowed. The key in this case was that his duties as a doctor commenced as soon as he received a telephone call from the hospital. The Irish Revenue’s interpretation of this case is set out in SP IT/2/07.

The cost of travelling from home to work where the taxpayer had volunteered to work from home was disallowed. Kirkwood v Evans 2002 STC 231

In Bennett v Revenue & Customs Commissioners 2007 SpC 576 travelling and accommodation expenses to various construction sites was not deductible as just ordinary commuting expenses.

In Brown v Bullock 40 TC 1 the test was whether the duties could be performed without incurring the expenses.

A fee paid to an employment agency for obtaining a job was held not to be incurred in the performance of duties. Shortt v McIlgorm 26 TC 262

The cost of suing for recovery of wages is not allowed. Eagles v Levy 19 TC 23

Gratuities paid where disallowed on the basis that there was no legal obligation to pay them. HF Kelly v H II ITR 460.

Cost of work clothing was disallowed. Hillyer v Leeke 1976 STC 490, Woodcock v IRC 1977 STC 405 and Ward v Dunn 1979 STC 178

In Emms v Revenue and Customs Commissioners 2008 STC (SCD) 618 a rugby player was not allowed a deduction for the cost of food, nutritional supplements and medicines. The relief was denied on the basis that the expenditure was not incurred exclusively and necessarily in the performance of his employment duties. The expense was incurred to enable him to perform his duties, but not “in the performance of the duties”.

Expenses incurred in connection with training, contractually required, were not deductible for purposes of income tax. Revenue and Customs Commissioners v Decadt 2008 STC 1103

Agent’s fees paid by the employer to negotiate terms of contract were held to be not deductible. Madeley and another v Revenue and Customs Commissioner 2006 SpC 547

If expense incurred on meals is deductible for a self-employed landscape gardener. Meals were held not to fall within section 81. 08TACD2018

“This appeal concerned the right of a company to make tax free payments to an employee in respect of travel and subsistence.” 20TACD2018

In this case, the Appeals Commissioner determined that vouched expenses relating to ‘Pre-Sales’ activities were deductible from the directors’ emoluments as these expenses were incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with section 114. 32TACD2021

This appeal considered whether payments by a company to a proprietary director constituted reimbursement of expenses incurred by him as part of his employment duties or if the payments were emoluments. 113TACD2021

Whether the company had correctly treated payments to the taxpayer relating to travel and subsistence. 106TACD2022