WITH the arrival of autumn and the nights drawing in, keeping your staff healthy, happy and motivated can be a challenge.

For most businesses, the workforce will be their most valuable asset and a little TLC may be required to get the most out of them. The challenge is doing this in a tax efficient way.

HM Revenue and Customs will not seek to tax certain trivial costs. Their manuals specifically mention that the seasonal flu jab can be accepted as a trivial benefit, although this would not stretch to the pandemic flu jab or other vaccinations.

Keeping the flu virus out of the work place can protect against the loss of many working hours, making the vaccination cost a small price to pay.

Free or subsidised meals on the employer’s business premises can be exempt where the meals are on a reasonable scale and available to all employees. A simple round of bacon butties on a cold winter’s morning or hot soup for lunch could be all it takes to boost morale and increase productivity.

For more information on tax efficient rewards, contact Deborah Parks-Green, at Baker Tilly, on 01256 486800.