Can I claim fuel as a business expense in the UK?

Yes, fuel used for business journeys is generally an allowable expense. However, HMRC does not allow you to claim fuel for private or commuting journeys. If you use your vehicle for both business and personal trips, you need to keep a log or use HMRC's approved mileage rates instead. Check with your accountant on which method is best for you.

Should I claim actual fuel costs or use HMRC mileage rates?

It depends on your situation. Sole traders and partners can use simplified mileage rates (currently 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles). Limited company directors using their own car should typically use mileage rates. If you use a company car, you claim actual fuel costs. Speak to your accountant for personalised advice.

Does Snyp read the VAT number from fuel receipts?

Yes. Snyp extracts the petrol station's VAT registration number along with the net amount and VAT charged. This is important because you can only reclaim VAT on fuel if you have a valid VAT receipt.

Can I track MOT and servicing costs with Snyp?

Absolutely. Forward the garage invoice by email or photograph the paper receipt. Snyp extracts the details and categorises it as a vehicle maintenance expense.

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Never lose another petrol receipt at the bottom of your car

Fuel receipts are small, flimsy, and easy to lose. They pile up in the glovebox, fade in the sun, and by the time you need them the ink is unreadable. Add MOT bills, insurance renewals, and parking tickets and you have a mess that takes hours to sort through every quarter.

Scan at the pump

Photograph your fuel receipt the moment you get it. Snyp extracts the fuel type, litres, price per litre, total, and VAT in seconds.

Capture all vehicle costs

Fuel is just the start. Snyp handles MOT invoices, service bills, insurance documents, parking receipts, and congestion charge confirmations.

VAT-ready records

Petrol station receipts include VAT, and Snyp extracts it automatically. No more squinting at faded thermal paper to find the VAT number.

Straight into your accounts

Fuel and vehicle expenses are categorised and synced to Xero or QuickBooks so your books are always up to date.

Common examples

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Petrol receipt from a filling station

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Diesel fuel for a delivery van

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MOT test and annual service invoice

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Parking ticket at a client's office

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Congestion charge payment confirmation

Tax tips

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If you use your personal vehicle for business, HMRC's approved mileage allowance payments (currently 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, then 25p) are often simpler than claiming actual fuel costs. You cannot claim both. Discuss with your accountant which approach suits your situation.

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For company vehicles, you can claim actual fuel and running costs but there may be a benefit-in-kind tax charge for private use. Make sure you keep a mileage log to distinguish business and personal journeys.

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VAT on fuel can be reclaimed in full if the vehicle is used exclusively for business. For mixed-use vehicles, you can use the fuel scale charge method or only reclaim the business proportion. Ask your accountant which method applies to you.

Snyp AI extracting fuel type, litres, and VAT from a petrol station receipt

Scout at Soma Capital

Receipts were always a disaster for me. Some in the car, some in WhatsApp, some in email… total chaos. Now I just send everything to Snyp and that's it

Shashank Vemuri, Scout at Soma Capital

Frequently Asked Questions

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Features

Automatic Expense Categorisation - Snyp.ai Receipt Scanner

Expenses

Track Domestic Travel Receipts Automatically

Expenses

Track International Travel Receipts Automatically

Who It's For

Receipt Scanning for Freelancers

Integrations

QuickBooks Receipt Scanning with Snyp.ai

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