Christmas Company Meal -too late ?

[northernladuk]

Having an allowance for a specifically Christmas meal could be intepreted as discriminatory against those who do not observe that festival ...

As was mentioned 3 posts ago this is now being brought under the unbrella of annual events..

Keep up at the back!! lol

[DS23]

indeed. perhaps an annual bash at co's year-end would be in order then instead of an exmas "party". for me that will most likely be whilst on holiday in the summer. excellent idea. a most excellent idea.

[spig]

My accountant confirmed this can be any time of year. Furthermore it can be a number of events as long as the total is not over £150 a head.

Clientco I work for has a very small xmas do, and a much bigger black tie event every year in Jan/Feb. It's billed as a "winter ball", I suspect it's held then hiring out a suitable sized venue (in this case 1000+) is far cheaper than in Decemeber. I'd expect they still claim this back against tax in the same way. I don't see why a contractor having thier annual event in Jan/Feb/whenever would be any different.

[Spacecadet]

Just invent a holiday like festivus

[vandiss]

Some blurb from my accountant's guidelines...

Entertaining and gifts

Staff entertaining is tax deductible up to £150 per year per employee. It is important to ensure that you do not exceed the limit as the whole amount then becomes taxable, not just the excess.

Client entertaining is not tax deductible.

Gifts to staff are tax deductible and do not create a benefit in kind to the employee provided that they are “trivial”. This would normally be a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine at Christmas.

Gifts to clients are generally not tax deductible unless the gift has a conspicuous advertisement, cost no more than £50 per person per year, and are not food, drink, tobacco or gift vouchers.

So no gifting yourself £150 in Amazon vouchers.

[Weltchy]

Actually, isn't it £150 per person, where the maximum number of people allowed is equal to the total number of employees / directors plus a guest each?

Therefore, if you had two company directors, the total number of people allowed would be 4, making the total amount available equal to £600.

The only questionable decision would be whether you class a director as an employee?

[TheFaQQer]

Actually, isn't it £150 per person, where the maximum number of people allowed is equal to the total number of employees / directors plus a guest each?

Therefore, if you had two company directors, the total number of people allowed would be 4, making the total amount available equal to £600.

The only questionable decision would be whether you class a director as an employee?

No - if you are a director (but NOT an employee), then you aren't invited. It has to be an employee, and all employees have to be invited.

[TheFaQQer]

Had a meal last week and I put mine through with January expenses with no questions raised by accountant, my understanding is that its a yearly allowance for employees (myself and co secretary ie;wife)and cannot be over the £150 a head

I am sure someone will be along in a moment to right my wrongs

Just because there are no questions raised by your accountant, that doesn't mean that it's correct, though

I'm not saying (s)he is right or wrong in this instance, but I'd be wary of just thinking "oh, the accountant says it's fine, therefore HMRC will agree with them"

[TheFaQQer]

indeed. perhaps an annual bash at co's year-end would be in order then instead of an exmas "party". for me that will most likely be whilst on holiday in the summer. excellent idea. a most excellent idea.

As long as you aren't claiming a meal while in Barbados, then you should be OK - I wouldn't want to try and claim it if it was away from home.

[northernladuk]

As long as you aren't claiming a meal while in Barbados, then you should be OK - I wouldn't want to try and claim it if it was away from home.

Ohh you can be so Bah Humbag FaQQer!!! chillax and smile for post or two