Workers offered regular coronavirus tests by their employers will not face an increased tax bill, the Treasury says
HMRC said tests purchased by employers for their staff are treated as a taxable benefit in kindWorkers offered regular coronavirus tests by their employers will not face an increased tax bill, the Treasury has confirmed.
The move comes after former cabinet minister Mel Stride, now the chair of the House of Commons Treasury committee, wrote to ChancellorMr Stride noted how HMRC guidance published earlier this week stated that testing kits - or tests carried out by a third party - which have been purchased by employers for their staff are treated as a taxable benefit in kind for the employee.The Tory MP warned many key workers could be faced with the"perverse incentive of avoiding employer-sponsored tests in order to reduce their tax bill".
The Treasury has now confirmed to Sky News that it will introduce an income tax exemption for the tests."Given the importance of widespread testing, we want to ensure that all employers who wish to provide third party testing to their employees can do so without increasing their tax liability," a spokesperson said.More from Covid-19
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