The costs of training prior
to self-employment is not normally tax allowable and this seems a similar scenario which would certainly be challenged by HMRC. Now if the start of business was the day he started expenditure making arrangements for after dinner speaches etc. then that might be allowable.
I prefer ...
... legal means to fair means.
Whilst reducing tax legally is the accountants aim, sometimes the methods stick in ones craw, and there is a grey line easily crossed as the MP's so ably demonstrated with their expenses.
Personally I think obtaining tax relief for an expense that someone has re-imbursed you for is morally reprehensible, but that is probably why I'll never be rich (but at least I'll be well rested).
I do get rather saddened by how cynical and grasping the world is these days. There is more than enough to go round if we could all just play nicely!
I don't see how ... 1 thanks
... you can claim an expense for something that has effectively been paid for by a third party!
Without getting into the validity of what you want to do, surely the deduction would be the net expense after contributions from benefactors.
I think you need to look at the chicken an egg scenario too, did he do the expedition for personal motives and then found he could make money talking about it, or did he mount the expedition for the purpose of having something to talk about?
My gut feel is the first instance, or this would have been sorted out up front, and may be even channelled through a company or similar.
The phrase having your cake and eating it comes to mind!