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Have you considered FBT for your Christmas celebrations?

 

 

With Christmas on the horizon it’s traditional for businesses to celebrate and provide benefits to employees and clients, such as parties and gifts. Celebrating a successful year bonds employees, and within larger companies Christmas parties help departments meet and mingle with people in the same firm they might otherwise never interact with.

 

However, these benefits are also subject to complex tax laws and it is wise to be aware of some of the ways your Christmas celebrations might be affected.

 

The ATO is reminding businesses that while staff Christmas parties can attract Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), there may be exemptions available depending on the venue and cost per employee.

 

There are two main exemptions to FBT that could apply to Christmas parties - exempt property benefits and exempt minor benefits.

 

Exempt property benefits:

  • Christmas party costs include things like food and drinks served for employees as part of a Christmas party
  • The cost to provide these goods is exempt from FBT if they are provided on a working day on business premises and consumed by current employees of that business.

 

If the property benefits exemption doesn't apply because the party is held at a restaurant or separate venue, the costs may be considered minor benefits and FBT exempt.

 

Exempt minor benefits:

  • Cost per employee must be less than $300
  • The exemption also applies to associates of employees such as spouses and children, provided the cost is less than $300 per associate
  • Gifts are also considered separately from the Christmas party, so provided the cost of a gift and the party are each less than $300, then both would be exempt from FBT.

To find out more information on FBT for your Christmas celebrations, please click here>>>

 

The Tax Office has also developed a fact sheet 'Fringe benefits tax and Christmas parties' to help explain the FBT implications of your Christmas celebrations.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact Cutcher & Neale for more information on how to plan your Christmas celebrations in a tax effective manner.