Benefit in kind changes

As far as benefits in kind are concerned, there were both winners and losers in the Budget.

Winner – easement for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

Under the company car tax rules, the taxable amount depends predominantly on the list price of a car and its CO2 emissions.

From 1 January 2025, new European Union and United Nations emissions standards were introduced which found the CO2 emissions for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to be higher than previously thought. Normally, an increase in the CO2 emissions figure would mean an increase in the taxable amount.

However, an easement will mean that, for a limited period, the amount charged to tax under the benefit in kind rules will be determined by reference to a nominal CO2 emission figure of 1g/km. Where a car’s CO2 emissions are between 1 and 50g/km, the appropriate percentage depends on the car’s electric range.

To be eligible for the easement the following conditions must be met:

·       the vehicle was first registered on or after 1 January 2025;

·       its CO2 emissions figure is 51g/km or above;

·       it was registered under an emissions standard other than Euro 6d-ISC-FCM or Euro 6e; and

·       the car’s electric range is at least one mile.

The easement will apply retrospectively from 1 January 2025.

Anyone accessing an eligible PHEV company car before 6 April 2028 will be able to benefit from the easement until the arrangements are varied or renewed or, if earlier, 5 April 2031.

Winner 2 – expansion of workplace benefits relief

Currently, reimbursed expenses are only tax-free if the employee would be entitled to a tax deduction had they met the cost themselves.

However, from 6 April 2026, employers who reimburse the costs of eye tests, flu vaccines and home working equipment will be able to do so tax-free.

Winner 3 – delayed start to ECOS changes

Legislation to bring certain cars made available to employees under an employee car ownership scheme (ECOS) within the tax charge for company cars had been due to come into effect on 6 April 2026. The changes will not be introduced until 6 April 2030.

Losers – removal of relief for homeworking expenses

An administrative easement that allowed employees to claim a flat rate deduction of £6 per week for the additional costs of working from home is being removed from 6 April 2026. This is worth £124.80 to a higher rate taxpayer and £62.40 to a basic rate taxpayer.

Employers will still be able to make a tax-free payment of £6 per week for additional homeworking costs, and employees will still be able to claim a deduction for the actual extra cost (although this will involve more work).

Partner note: ITEPA 2003, ss. 289A, 316; www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefits-in-kind-easement-for-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicles; www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-expansion-of-workplace-benefits-relief; www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-employee-car-ownership-schemes-for-income-tax; www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-tax-removal-of-the-tax-relief-for-additional-homeworking-expenses.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to be tax advice. Each person's tax circumstances are different; therefore, we recommend that you contact us for personalized tax advice. Sam Niranjan & Co., or Sivasambu Candesamy Niranjan, will not accept any responsibility whatsoever if you make any loss as a result of relying on this article.