Trivial Benefits

As a limited company director, there may be times when you want to treat your employees (or yourself) to a gift from the business. The good news is that, in some circumstances, the cost of such a gift will not be treated as a taxable benefit.

If you’re looking for a way to provide tax-free gifts to employees or directors, this simple guide to trivial benefits outlines everything you need to know.

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What is a trivial benefit?

A trivial benefit is a tax-free gift that an employer can give employees occasionally. To be exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions, the cost must follow specific criteria for directors of close companies (more on close companies later).

Trivial benefit rules

So what qualifies as a trivial benefit? First, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is the cost of the benefit greater than £50?
2. Is the benefit cash or a cash voucher?
3. Is the employee entitled to the benefit as part of a contractual obligation?
4. Is the benefit provided as a reward or recognition for achievement?

If the answer to all of the above questions is no, the cost will qualify as a trivial benefit. In this instance, you don’t need to inform HMRC; the benefit won’t be subject to tax and won’t need to be declared on a P11D form.

Tax on trivial benefits

However, if the answer to any of the above questions is yes, the cost will not qualify as a trivial benefit, meaning it will be taxed. As a result, you must pay tax and National Insurance contributions on that expense and may also need to report it to HMRC.

VAT on trivial benefits

Your business can claim back the VAT on trivial benefits, providing they meet the eligibility criteria.

What counts as a trivial benefit?

The following examples can be counted as trivial benefits and, therefore, will not be liable for tax:

• The benefit costs £50 or less
• The benefit isn’t cash or a cash voucher
• The benefit isn’t a reward for performance
• The benefit isn’t an ongoing cost or reward such as a membership
• The benefit isn’t outlined in the worker’s contract

Trivial benefits examples

If you’re having trouble envisaging exactly what a trivial benefit might be, here are some ideas:

• A meal out for employees at Christmas
• Birthday presents for employees
• Friday night drinks after work
• A work summer BBQ

And here are some examples of expenses that do not qualify as trivial benefits:

• Company cars
• Health insurance
• Travel and entertainment expenses
• Childcare

Close companies – trivial benefits for directors

A close company is a business with five or fewer ‘participators’ or a company where all participators also act as directors. A participator is any party with a financial obligation to the limited company.

Trivial benefits and salary sacrifice

If you provide trivial benefits to employees (or yourself) under salary sacrifice, your business will not receive tax exemption for them. You’ll be expected to pay tax and National Insurance on these expenses and report whichever amount is higher (between the trivial benefit and the salary sacrifice) on the employee’s (or your own) P11D.

Is there a limit on trivial benefits?

If you’re the director of a close company – which many limited company contractors are – you can still receive trivial benefits. The cost of these is capped at £300 per director per year.

To summarise, then, trivial benefits can be a useful way to treat yourself or your employees to something in a tax-efficient manner. If you have any questions about trivial benefits or to learn more about SJD Accountancy’s accounting services, please get in touch.