HMRC: "Not disallowable"

[JRCT]

Why do all HMRC guidelines insist on containing the words "not disallowable"?

As in "The costs of sponsoring sporting, cultural or other events for the purpose of business promotion/publicity are not disallowable under the legislation"

Just say "allowable"!!!!!!!

[TheFaQQer]

The legislation probably talks of what is disallowable, so they need to follow that line.

[jamesbrown]

It's subtle, but if you have a list of dissallowable items, I think it makes sense to refer to items that are not on that list as being not dissallowable, for precision, rather than allowable, even if they practically mean the same thing. My 2p anyway.

[SimonMac]

By the same tact why don't they say not allowable rather than disallowable

[OwlHoot]

Why do all HMRC guidelines insist on containing the words "not disallowable"?

As in "The costs of sponsoring sporting, cultural or other events for the purpose of business promotion/publicity are not disallowable under the legislation"

Just say "allowable"!!!!!!!

I think "disallowable" has a specific accounting meaning of deducting the expense from profit (as opposed to tax) in the annual accounts. So on that basis non-disallowable would mean you cannot deduct the expense from the profit.

Not sure though, as my accountant worries about all that.

[Goatfell]

Why do all HMRC guidelines insist on containing the words "not disallowable"?

Possibly indicative of the mindset in operation there. By default everything is disallowed; it's just that in certain situations some things are not.

OTOH - OH probably has it covered above

[EternalOptimist]

John Major used to talk like that.

The not unquick brown fox jumped over the un nonslow lazy dog.


the turd