Christmas is coming - reminder about your tax-free turkey

[NickFitz]

The guidance does mention a bottle of wine as an example, rather than case of wine - which might be stretching things, but how about say a £50 hamper ?

Depends on whether that's a "trivial benefit". Given that one of their examples is "a box of chocolates" I would imagine that "a bloody great hamper" would not be seen as "trivial".

Note that it also says "an ordinary bottle of wine", so arguments that "you can easily spend £50 on a good bottle of wine" aren't relevant - I'm guessing that anything much more expensive than Sainsbury's own-brand sparkling might get you into trouble.

For good measure, they're probably talking about an Iceland own-brand turkey as well, so you might want to think twice about expensing that organic Duchy Originals bird (no, not Camilla).

[dude69]

Nice one! I've been contracting for almost 10 years now and know a few more of the occasional perks of contracting than some, but never comes across or heard about this one....trivial gifts.

The guidance does mention a bottle of wine as an example, rather than case of wine - which might be stretching things, but how about say a £50 hamper ?

"
If the gift extends beyond one of the items mentioned above, for example from a bottle or two to a case of wine, or from a turkey to a Christmas hamper, you will need to consider the contents and cost before being able to determine whether the benefit is trivial.
"

Clearly a hamper *may* be considered trivial - it depends on the cost -this one definitely isn't trivial:

http://www.fortnumandmason.com/shopp...product&page=1

but a £50 one maybe is

[dude69]

For good measure, they're probably talking about an Iceland own-brand turkey as well, so you might want to think twice about expensing that organic Duchy Originals bird (no, not Camilla).

Nonsense.

If a company gave me an Iceland turkey for Christmas I'd resign in disgust.

There was actually quite a high-profile case before the Revenue on the issues of turkey at Christmas:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3345859.stm

The amount of tax payable was £17/turkey

Now I'm not sure the tax that's based on (basic or higher rate), but if it's 40%, that implies a bird costing £43.

So clearly £50 IS a reasonable amount

[DimPrawn]

Would a round the world trip on a luxury cruise liner and a Ferrari Enzo be pushing it?

[TheFaQQer]

Would a round the world trip on a luxury cruise liner and a Ferrari Enzo be pushing it?

My dispensation says it's OK.

[FiveTimes]

Would a round the world trip on a luxury cruise liner and a Ferrari Enzo be pushing it?

My dispensation says it's OK.

Phew, that's good as I've just booked the cruise.. great things dispensations....

[TheFaQQer]

If you're buying a turkey (or whatever) how do you account for it?

[MonkeyWorld]

If you're buying a turkey (or whatever) how do you account for it?

Maybe you send the revenue the leftover carcass! with a note pinned to it saying 'account for this!'

[TheFaQQer]

Maybe you send the revenue the leftover carcass! with a note pinned to it saying 'account for this!'

I like that idea!

[~Craig~]

anybody ordered theirs yet?

I'm not sure how long a fresh turkey will keep actually?