Tag: Party

Let’s have a Virtual Tax Free Party

HMRC have now agreed you can have a Virtual Staff Party tax free

So you could organise a Virtual online event, have a hamper delivered to your staff and that would count.

Virtual functions

Where an annual function is provided virtually using IT then the exemption is capable of being met provided all other conditions are also satisfied as the exemption applies to allow for costs of provision which are generally incurred for the purposes of the event itself.

EIM21690 – Employment Income Manual – HMRC internal manual – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Exemption not allowance

The figure of £150 is not an allowance. For functions that are outside the scope of the exemption (see example at EIM21691) directors and employees, are chargeable on the full cost per head, not just the excess over £150, in respect of:

  • themselves and
  • any members of their family and household who attend as guests.

The cost of the function includes VAT and the cost of transport and/or overnight accommodation if these are provided to enable employees to attend. Divide the total cost of each function by the total number of people (including non-employees) who attend in order to arrive at the cost per head.

steve@bicknells.net

Will the Christmas Party be tax free?

the unlike trio 01/Devil, Angel and Santa celebrating Xmas

The answer is probably! maybe?

HMRC have an Exemption (not an allowance) of £150.

If the employer provides two or more annual parties or functions, no charge arises in respect of the party, or parties, for which cost(s) per head do not exceed £150 in aggregate. Where there is more than one annual function potentially within the exemption, we do not expect employers to keep a cumulative record, employee by employee, of functions attended. But for each function the cost per head should be calculated. The cost per head of subsequent functions should be added. If the total cost per head goes over £150 then whichever functions best utilise the £150 are exempt, the others taxable (see examples at EIM21691).

The figure of £150 is not an allowance. For functions that are outside the scope of the exemption (see example at EIM21691) directors and employees, except those in an excluded employment, are chargeable on the full cost per head, not just the excess over £150, in respect of:

  • themselves and
  • any members of their family and household who attend as guests.

The cost of the function includes VAT and the cost of transport and/or overnight accommodation if these are provided to enable employees to attend. Divide the total cost of each function by the total number of people (including non-employees) who attend in order to arrive at the cost per head.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim21690.htm

Things to watch out for:

1. The function must be open to all staff, if its just directors, its taxable

2. The cost must not exceed £150 per head, otherwise it will all be taxable http://www.companychristmas.co.uk/news/tax_free_christmas_parties

3. If you have several events during the year you may have to choose which ones qualify if the total exceeds £150

steve@bicknells.net

Have a party! £150 per head is tax free

Its will soon be Christmas and its definitely party season, did you know that you can spend £150 per head per year on parties and functions and its not a taxable benefit to the employee and you can reclaim the VAT on entertaining employees.

You can have multiple events, the exact rules are

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim21690.htm

So what are you waiting for? book up now or if you’re a small business you could even hold the party at your home

steve@bicknells.net