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.
Launched in New Jersey, the insurers’ first foray into the line of business focuses on reducing friction in the buying process.
Preston Kennedy is president and CEO of Zachary Bancshares Inc. in Zachary, La. He is a former chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America.
Jeff Fucito, CPA, is Mauldin & Jenkins' partner-in-charge of the Atlanta office and serves as the advisory service practice leader. He received his BBA in Accounting from the University of Georgia in 1985 and has been with Mauldin & Jenkins since, specializing in providing audit and tax services for various not-for-profit organizations. His experience also includes audit, reimbursement, and tax experience with long-term care facilities and other health care entities, in addition to manufacturing and distribution entity services, income tax planning, income tax preparation and consultation for individuals and corporations.
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:
