An expense is money spent on something.

The idea

Use an expense for one cost and expenses for costs. To claim expenses is to request repayment of eligible costs.

Examples

  • The bus fare was a business expense.
  • We listed our expenses for April.
  • The hotel was an unexpected expense.
  • She claimed her travel expenses.
  • Keep receipts for your work expenses.
  • The company paid the expense later.

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Watch out

Claiming an expense asks for repayment; it does not guarantee that the claim will be paid.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct word. A taxi was an unexpected ___. (expense / expenses)

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    expense

    expense names one cost after an.

  2. Choose the correct word. The form lists several ___. (expense / expenses)

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    expenses

    expenses refers to several costs.

  3. Choose the correct word. Employees can ___ eligible costs for repayment. (claim / hide)

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    claim

    claim means request repayment.

Use it today

Describe an expense and what evidence you would keep for a claim.