The craziest work-from-home expenses of 2020

Employees working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic claimed some outlandish expenses this year, including pricey exercise bikes, facelifts and private jets.

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.

CORONAVIRUS IMPACT: ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
FASB chairman Richard Jones (center), FASB deputy technical director Shayne Kuhaneck (below) and panel moderator Linda Bergen, Citigroup director of corporate accounting policy and AICPA chair of the Depository Institutions Expert Panel (top), speaking at the AICPA's virtual National Conference on Banks and Savings Institutions
Michael Cohn
September 15, 2020 6:09 PM

Richard Jones is making post-implementation reviews of standards one of his top priorities, and taking a closer look at FASB’s crowded agenda.

6 Min Read
pwc-logo.jpg
PwC
Michael Cohn
September 15, 2020 4:22 PM

No matter whether Trump or Biden wins in November, a new survey from PwC indicates taxes may be rising.

5 Min Read
Deloitte building in Ottawa
Michael Cohn
September 15, 2020 12:18 PM

Large firms have been reporting revenue increases amid the pandemic.

4 Min Read

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:

craziest-work-from-home-expenses-infographic.png

Advertisement