NOW that the festive period is over, we are often asked by employers about the tax treatment of providing a staff Christmas party or giving gifts to employees. Here is a quick reminder of the rules.
Staff Parties
What is exempt?
There is a tax exemption for employee entertaining if the event is all of the following:
* an annual party or social function, such as a Christmas party or summer barbecue
* it is open to all employees (or all employees based at one location)
* the cost does not exceed £150 per head (inclusive of VAT)
Calculating the cost
The total cost of the party is the whole cost of the event, from the start to the end. It includes food, drink, entertainment, taxis home, overnight accommodation etc.
The limit of £150 per head applies to all those attending the function not just employees. So, if employees are allowed to bring guests, the total cost should be divided by the total number of employees and guests.
Two or more functions – if there are multiple annual events, they will still be exempt as long as the combined cost is no more than £150 per head.
If you’ve already used up the £150 exemption on an event, you’ll have to report and pay tax on the full costs of any additional events, even if they cost less than £150 per head on their own.
Reporting obligations
A taxable benefit in kind will arise if either the limit is exceeded, or the function is not open to all staff or it is not an annual function.
Please be aware that the £150 per head limit is an exemption not an allowance – go just a penny over the £150 and the full cost becomes taxable.
The benefit must be reported on each employee’s form P11D. The employee will pay income tax on the benefit, and the employer will be charged Class 1A National Insurance.
Alternatively, the employer can apply to pay the grossed up tax through a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA).
Are the costs tax deductible?
Client entertaining is generally not an allowable expense for corporation tax purposes.? However, the cost of employee entertaining is an allowable expense, and therefore the cost of the staff Christmas party can be deducted.
VAT
Input tax on employee entertaining is generally recoverable. However, please note that the definition of employees for VAT purposes does not include partners/spouses of staff or former employees. Therefore, if guests are invited it will be necessary to apportion the relevant costs appropriately.
Please also note that if an event is provided only for directors, partners or sole proprietors, HMRC will not accept that input tax has been incurred for business purposes.
Gift for employees
Cash bonuses & vouchers
Christmas presents paid in cash to staff will be taxable as earnings in the normal way (subject to tax and national insurance). The same tax treatment also applies to vouchers exchangeable for cash, with the employee taxed on the full value of the voucher.
Vouchers exchangeable for goods and services only (non-cash vouchers) are also taxable and must be reported on the employee’s form P11D.?Class 1 national insurance will normally need to be deducted through the payroll.
Make sure you tell your accountant or the person who prepares the payroll, so they can report the correct figures to HMRC.
Seasonal gifts
The employer may wish to give employees a seasonal present, such as a turkey, a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.? Provided the cost of the gift is “trivial’ – typically less than £50 a head – the gift will usually not be taxable.
If the gift exceeds this value, it will be taxable and it will need to be reported to HMRC on either a form P11D or through a PSA.
Third parties
Employees may receive gifts from third parties as a result of their employment.? As long as the gift does not exceed £250 in cost, it should not be taxable for the employee.
If you have any questions on how to treat your festive finances or would like more detailed advice, please do get in touch with Aaron Hemmington at Hawsons Chartered Accountants on 01604 645600 or by email at
