Employees working from home during the coronavirus pandemic claimed some outlandish expenses this year, including pricey exercise bikes, facelifts and private jets.
Emburse, an expense management software company, released a compilation Wednesday of some of the craziest expenses it has seen claimed this year, some of which were actually approved. That included $1,895, which was approved as a contribution for an employee's Peloton Bike under the explanation of “for health and wellness.” On the other hand, a $7,600 expense claim for a facelift was submitted under the category of “repairs and maintenance” but was rejected, despite the pressing need to look one’s best during a Zoom meeting.
Jeb Hensarling is a former chairman of the House Financial Services Committee (2013-2019) and an advisory council member to Americans for Prosperity.
Robert E. Miller, CFA, is CEO of Frontier Asset Management, which he and principal Gary A. Miller, CFA, established in 2000 in Sheridan, Wyoming.
The firm strives to create quality investment strategies while staying true to the values of transparency, honesty and hard work.
Craig Weaver is managing partner of tax services and develops the strategic growth and direction of the tax practice of Baker Tilly. Since joining the firm in 2003, he has been instrumental in the growth and development of the tax practice. In addition to his leadership position at the firm, he has over 30 years of experience in taxation and accounting.
Some expenses weren’t for working from home, but more about getting out of the house safely. An expense claim for a private jet charter costing over $20,000 was submitted and approved under the explanation of “required to limit COVID exposure for international shoots.” Another travel-related expense claim was $2,500 for a helicopter ride, which was not approved.
The $79 expense claim for a dog crate could perhaps be used for travel at some point when that's safer, but in these times it was more plausibly to provide "crate training [for] a new COVID puppy to not run into Zoom meetings."
Below is an infographic produced by Emburse showing this and several other head-scratching claims:
