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.
Robert T. Taylor is chief executive of the Louisiana Bankers Association.
Anthony Glomski, founder and principal at AG Asset Advisory, helps CPAs grow their business by becoming thought leaders transitioning from tax preparers to personal CFOs. He is the author of the book Liquidity and You: A Personal Guide for Tech and Business Entrepreneurs Approaching an Exit. He has been featured in Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Tech and other national media. Away from the office he is a member of the Silicon Beach Surf Club and the Porsche Club of America. He can be reached at aglomski@agassetadvisory.com.
Justin Yunag is the Chief Digital Officer, Financial Services for Atos North America Operations.
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:
