Benefit In Kind Forms

A small company is now more likely than ever to be subject to a full review of their compliance systems and procedures by HM Revenue & Customs. In completing your end of year forms P11d and P11d(b) employers declaration, pay careful attention to anything incurred in the name of an individual director/employee, but paid or reimbursed by the business.

You must include all travel, subsistence, and entertaining expenses in the information you enter on annual forms P11D, even if it is incurred for business purposes (unless you have an official HM Revenue & Customs dispensation). Even if you are registered for VAT, your P11D records have to be VAT inclusive.

You should keep full mileage logs for every vehicle, whether owned privately or by the company as they are likely to challenge all doubtful claims on the business mileage limit. If you were to receive an inspection they would ask for evidence of business mileage. Also ensure you keep separate figures for each car where there is a change during the year, or where more than one vehicle is available to a director/employee. The fuel benefit is an 'all or nothing' benefit, so if the business pays for any private fuel and is not fully reimbursed by the director, the director must accept the corresponding fuel benefit.

We would suggest you retain all records and information relating to payroll benefits for six years, which is the period for which the HM Revenue & Customs has powers to investigate your business accounts.

Date published 5 Dec 2012

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.