Salary Sacrifice - PC World/Currys Scheme

Acc1

Free Member
Jan 22, 2014
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Hi all,

I didn't know which forum to put this in so apologies if in wrong place. An employee has sent me details of a PC World (DSG Group) Employee Benefits scheme advertising 20% or 35% savings (basic/high rate tax payer) realised through salary sacrifice. Any company can sign up. This is a spread the cost type arrangement over through twelve months salary sacrifice and the advert shows all types of tech available from phones, TV's, computers, household appliances etc - essentially anything they sell by the looks of it.

How can this work?

I accept there would be a tax and NI saving each month to the employee and NI saving to the employer through payroll. However, the goods provided to the employee would have to be charged to benefit in kind at 20% of VAT inclusive value each year (of full value if given entirely) therefore negating the tax saving to the employee and NI saving to the employer (in effect tax would be delayed but will become due). As far as I can see, there would be no NI charge to the employee so this would be a saving.

VAT could not be reclaimed because it would not be a business use asset so doesn't come into it.

So how does the logic of advertising up to 20% or 35% savings work? I accept you could buy a laptop or work mobile phone as tax free benefit if conditions are met but outside this am I missing something relating to other items?

I appreciate your thoughts and this has me confused.

Thank you
 
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Why is this relevant to business if it is an internal employee scheme?

They have obviously got their HR team/consultants/benefits experts to find legit ways of doing this.

VAT is irrelevant as it is a retails sale.

The savings is in the reduction of personal tax paid on the amount you sacrifice, I guess!
 
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Acc1

Free Member
Jan 22, 2014
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Hi. Thank for the reply.

Have a look at pcworldbusiness dot co dot uk/business-solutions/employee-benefits/?utm_campaign=SME_WK12&utm_medium=email&utm_source=PCWB_wk12&utm_term=459411&utm_content=IntroBTN_OTH

(sorry i cannot post links yet)

It is a scheme open to any employer run through a company PC World has partnered with.

I am trying to understand how their teams have found a legit way round the tax legislation. Can anyone assist my understanding?

VAT becomes relevant as the Employer Company buys/leases the goods from PCWorld (or its partner) and the Employer Company may not be in a position to reclaim this due to the VAT rules on personal use. Also, when assessing the value to an employee of the benefit (come P11D time), the Employer Company must take the VAT inclusive value as the employee would not have been able to save this in normal circumstances and therefore would become part of the benefit. I agree however, I think VAT would fall outside simply as the company would not be able to reclaim it given the intended use of the asset.
 
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What did your accountant and HMRC say when you asked them about this scheme.

VAT is not relevant as it is an employee scheme, not a standard transaction.
 
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Acc1

Free Member
Jan 22, 2014
10
0
44
I havent asked either yet but have read the technical guidance on HMRC's website. Having tried talking to HMRC on technical issues like this previously I know its hard to get anything from them. They point you to the website. I will ask my accountant when I next see them but I guess your saying you have no idea either.
 
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No idea, but my guess is it will cost you to find out!
 
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