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.
Derek Barnard is a partner at Anders CPAs + Advisors. He helps privately held companies with strategic planning, cryptocurrency tax planning, business transition and succession planning.
David Knutson is the head of U.S. Fixed Income Product Management at Schroders. He joined the firm in 2016 as head of Integrated Research — Americas, managing the investment grade, municipal, emerging market and high yield research teams.
David was a senior research analyst at Legal and General Investment Management from 2007 to 2016, which involved coverage of global financial companies and emerging market issuers.
David is currently the chair of the Credit Roundtable and is active with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.
Brian Schaefer is Vice President and Wealth Portfolio Manager at Johnson Financial Group. He works with individuals, public entities and non-profit organizations to create customized investment solutions. Brian is a member of JFG's Fixed Income Group and Investment Research team.
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:
