HMRC has introduced a generous company car tax scheme, to encourage small business owners to do more for the environment. They reward the use of vehicles which emit a reduced amount of CO2. However, this scheme only concerns company cars.
Purchasing a company car (or van) is a big investment for any business. Luckily many that are looking into purchasing, or using a current vehicle, as a company car means that their mileage is high and that their out goings on tax and fuel is slowly becoming a bit more costly. So claiming a vehicle as a company expense may be the right step for them.
Company cars are provided by businesses, to employees who need to commute to other locations. They can be used for both business and personal use, however this can be seen as a downside.
Using the car on a personal basis turns it into a taxable asset, or more commonly known as a benefit in kind, in the eyes of HMRC.
Benefits in kind are benefits which are received from their employment but are not included as part of their salary.
Examples of these include company cars, cheap loans, and private medical insurance paid for by the employer.
Where benefits in kind are taxable, tax is paid on the cash value, or taxable value. This equals the cost to the employer of providing you with the benefit.
The benefit in kind rate which HMRC applies to your car is a percentage of its P11D price, based on its CO2 emissions. The lower the emissions, the lower the rate charged.
To calculate the rate of tax you will be charged, there are a couple of simple steps to follow:
We have included a more detailed example of the benefit in kind rate on our guide to company cars.
Please provide some details to continue.
Appointing an accountant can save you time and stress when starting up on your own. If you would like to speak to someone about any of the above information or any other queries you may have, arrange a callback and a member of the team will be in touch.
If you're already a client of ours, you can speak to your dedicated accountant directly.
Monday - Friday (9am to 5pm)
