Staff training to improve skills or profits can be a major cost for businesses. Many managers and business owners assume that these costs qualify for tax relief, however, this will depends on a number of factors, including who pays for the training and what it is intended to achieve.
Are training costs tax deductible?
Training paid for by employees
Tax relief will not normally be given if an employee is paying for their own training, even if the purpose of the training is to help them improve in their job.
However, tax relief will be given if an employee needs the training to do their job – if it is ‘wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred’. So the costs will not be deductible, unless the training is necessary – e.g. training for an employee to carry out a new job would not be deductible.
If an employee pays for their own training and is reimbursed by their employer, this will count as a ‘benefit in kind’, which will be taxable.
Training paid for by employers
Where training is paid for by the employer, the tax situation is different. On the whole, training which enables employees to better do their jobs will be allowable. This even includes general training, which may not have an immediate impact on their work.
In tax terms, it is therefore better for employees to ask their employers to pay their training expenses where possible, perhaps using a salary sacrifice scheme where necessary.
Self employed
The tax situation is different again for self-employed workers. If the training is ‘wholly and exclusively’ for the purposes of the trade, it will be tax deductible. This is therefore a much wider definition than that which applies to employees.
However, whether the training is an ‘investment’ or an ‘expense’ must be considered. If it is an investment, such as learning how to develop new products, technically this is a capital item and capital allowances tax relief should be claimed. If you or your business needs to incur substantial training expenses, it is advisable to take professional advice on planning this expenditure.
How Nelsons can help
Laura Kearsley is a specialist employment law solicitor at Nelsons.
Our Employment Law team can provide expertise and guidance on all areas of employment law. For further information, please contact Laura or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
