The price of petrol and diesel has skyrocketed in recent weeks. This makes it more difficult for many people to get to work without spending a lot of money. In many cases, the travel allowance is not high enough. What can you do? Our experts give five tips.
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Right to travel allowance
Whether you are entitled to a travel allowance depends on the agreements in your employment contract, collective labor agreement or company regulations. Is there nothing in this? Then you can negotiate it yourself with your employer. Your employer may pay out tax-free € 0,19 per kilometer for your commute and business trips, regardless of the means of transport you use. With gasoline and diesel prices so high, your travel allowance may no longer be enough to offset your fuel expenses. That would mean that you have to pay to get to work or to travel for work, you can of course discuss this with your employer.
Please note: your employer is not obliged to compensate you more or differently for your travel costs. You are therefore not entitled to this. But you can always ask and negotiate about it. You can think of the following options:
1. Increase in your travel allowance
The statutory maximum on which the employer does not have to pay tax is € 0,19 per kilometer. This compensation may be higher, but then the part above € 0,19 is no longer tax-free and is regarded as salary. Your employer deducts payroll taxes from this.
2. Work costs scheme
You can discuss with your employer whether the work-related costs scheme can offer a solution. If your employer still has free space in this, he can use it to supplement your travel allowance. This must be done in consultation with the works council. Does your organization not have one? Then you have to negotiate this yourself with your employer.
3. Public transport
If you travel to work by public transport, your employer can choose how to reimburse this tax-free: with a reimbursement of € 0,19 per kilometer, or by compensating for the travel costs actually incurred. This can be a way for you to travel to and from work for free. You must then submit a transport ticket.
4. Carpooling
If you arrange for your colleagues and you to carpool, you can all receive a compensation of € 0,19 per kilometer. Only the kilometers it costs to drive past different houses cannot be compensated tax-free.
5. Work more from home, travel less
Maybe you can go less on the road? Discuss with your employer whether you can work from home fully or partially in order to save on your travel costs. You can also receive compensation for working from home. Read all about this homework allowance.
Excise duty down from April 1
From Friday 1 April, the cabinet will lower the excise duties on petrol and diesel by €0,17 and €0,11 respectively. Hopefully this provides some relief.
Want to know more?
Do you have questions about your travel allowance or would you like help with the conversation with your employer? Please feel free to contact our Service Center. We are available every working day from 8.00 am to 18.00 pm via sc@unie.nl and 0345 851 963.
