Considering your company car

The company car remains a key part of the remuneration package for many employees, but it is important to consider the tax and national insurance implications of your company car arrangements. Employees and directors pay tax on the provision of the car and on the provision of fuel by employers for private mileage. Employers pay Class 1A NICs at 13.8% on the same amount. The amount on which tax and NICs is paid is calculated by multiplying the list price of the car by an ‘appropriate percentage’. It may be worth considering paying your employees for business mileage in their own vehicle, at the statutory rates. We can review your company car policy and discuss the options available to you. An employer-provided van may be a viable tax-efficient alternative to the traditional company car. There are also special reduced car benefit rates for environmentally-friendly cars.
Future changes – The maximum taxable percentage is set to rise from 35% to 37% in April 2015. From April 2015 the five-year exemption for zero carbon and the lower rate for ultra-low carbon emission cars will come to an end. Two new bands will be introduced for ultra-low emission vehicles. The diesel supplement will also be removed in April 2016, making diesel cars subject to the same level of tax as petrol cars. With robust planning and expert advice, you can minimise the tax bill and maximise your business and personal wealth now and in the coming years. Please contact Liric for further advice.