VAT on staff Christmas presents

If you give away goods and are entitled to recover VAT on them, you must account for VAT on their cost value. So I’m afraid this means the VAT position is neutral.

However, you do not have to account for VAT on ‘business gifts’ made to the same person so long as the total cost of all the gifts does not exceed £50 (excluding VAT) in any 12-month period. A ‘business gift’ is simply a gift of goods that is made in the course of your business.

Gifts and entertaining is a complex area, as it can have a multitude of tax, National Insurance and VAT implications. Please feel free to contact your local TaxAssist Accountant if you would like to discuss this further

Date published 25 Sep 2015

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