Company Directors - Treat yourself and your family to £300 of TAX-FREE wine, beer and gifts!
Enjoy tax-free booze!
Let’s face it. Things are tough for business owners at the moment!
Treat yourself or your family to tax-free wine or gifts, courtesy of HMRC's Trivial Benefits Exemption.
As a director of a company, the exemption allows you to receive individual ‘benefits’ of £50 or less, totalling a maximum of £300 each year. These benefits can be purchased for members of your household too.
A benefit could include wine, gift vouchers, flowers, jewellery, electronic items or perhaps video games for the kids.
As with all things relating to tax, there are rules, but these are pretty simple to follow.
Each benefit must not exceed £50 (including VAT).
The benefit must not be cash or a cash voucher. However, gift vouchers for supermarkets and shops are allowed.
The benefit must not be a contractual obligation or a recognition reward. Benefits should be awarded perhaps because it’s Christmas, a birthday or just because the sun is shining! If a benefit is provided because you worked late, completed a specific project or have worked hard etc, then this exemption is not allowed.
If a Husband and Wife are both directors of the same company, they can both claim £300 each.
If you are a director of more than one company, £300 of trivial benefits can be received from each company.
Benefits can be provided to members of your household, including your spouse and children. The benefits they receive count towards your £300.
The £50 trivial benefits exemption can also be applied to gifts provided to employees.
Full details regarding Trivial Exemptions can be found on HMRC’s website.
As always, please double-check with your accountant that this benefit applies to your individual circumstances as other rules may apply.
Zest Accountants provide personalised accountancy services to small business owners. Find out how they can help you at www.zestaccountants.co.uk