Employee Coronavirus tests are deemed BIK

[AtW]

I think it makes sense even if it is a bit squiffy. The antibody test is available for free so treating it as a BIK for someone who pays for it is unfair. Antigen tests are not available for free so everyone is in the same boat.

Eh? You seem to be confusing antigen test (for current Covid-19 infection) and antibody (usually 28 days after infection took place).

[ladymuck]

I think it makes sense even if it is a bit squiffy. The antibody test is available for free so treating it as a BIK for someone who pays for it is unfair. Antigen tests are not available for free so everyone is in the same boat.

[AtW]

Not completely, they are only stopping the tax for antigen tests, not antibody tests (it says in that article).

Antibody test is clearly a luxury, should be 25% VAT on it!

[cojak]

Not completely, they are only stopping the tax for antigen tests, not antibody tests (it says in that article).

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I don't even think this will get as far as a challenge, I think the treasury will explicitly exempt it in tomorrow's statement.

Called it.

[xoggoth]

You see what influence Cojak has! Scheme dropped.

'Testing tax' dropped after backlash against charging workers in their salaries | Metro News

[AtW]

It's an example of typical dry British cough humour

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Can't see this standing up to a challenge...firstly, if as a matter of occupational health an employee is required to have a regular test, then surely its a requirement of your employment and therefore not a BIK? There's already a precedent for this...employers can pay for eye tests for employees that use a display. I don't even think this will get as far as a challenge, I think the treasure will explicitly exempt it in tomorrow's statement.

Outside of this scenario, sure, I see how it's a BIK, but since when did you need to pay for a test if you have symptoms? Why would you need your employer to pay it?

[CheeseSlice]

Treasury has gotta find cash for those loft insulation vouchers from somewhere...

[Old Greg]

Send a cheque to HMRC for the BIK amount, but cough over it first.

[Scruff]

Pity that we don't have an equivalent "Marcus Rashford" figurehead to make the case for this being reversed?

BTW - If anyone wants a test, you just register on the gov.uk website, book one and they are free. I get tested every 14 days (I have a vulnerable health condition, one of which symptoms manifest as a Covid symptom).

[AtW]

And private medical is BIKable

[cojak]

Coronavirus: Workers to pay tax on tests by their employer - BBC News

So we know what's going to happen if this stays, don't we?