Mark McLaughlin highlights some potentially tax-efficient goodies for employees this Christmas.
Christmas brings the exciting prospect of gifts and parties. Many employers wish to ‘treat’ staff at this time of year, and if they can do it in a tax-efficient way, so much the better!
Let’s get the party started!
The Christmas ‘do’ is a popular event in many businesses. Staff entertaining does not result in a benefit-in-kind for employees, subject to a £150 per head limit. This exemption applies only to annual events - the perfect excuse to get planning for next year’s party!
A trading deduction for the party would be the icing on the cake. Staff entertaining is allowable if it is wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade and is not merely incidental to entertainment which is provided for customers.