Applying the Minor & Infrequent benefits Exemptions
Many employers are unknowingly falling foul of the FBT regime through an incorrect interpretation of the minor and infrequent exemption allowed for benefits that cost less than $300.
The most prevalent area where employers find themselves in trouble when applying the minor and infrequent exemption is in relation to the provision of ‘Meal Entertainment’.
Meal Entertainment applies predominantly to the provision of food or drink to employees that are not consumed on the employer’s business premises. Where the value of the food or drink is less than $300 per person the exemption can be claimed, provided the employee only receives this benefit infrequently throughout the year.
Working out whether a meal entertainment benefit is minor is straightforward – you just need to check the receipt. Where employers find themselves in trouble is working out if the benefit is infrequent enough to satisfy that condition.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend that you only provide meal entertainment benefits for an employee no more than 10 times in a given FBT year. Once the benefit you are providing exceeds the infrequent condition, all benefits of that type for that employee become subject to FBT.
Please note, taking employees out of the office to enjoy a coffee is a form of Meal Entertainment. Do this too often throughout the year and an employer may find themselves subject to FBT on all the Meal Entertainment benefits they provide to that employee (including any year end social functions). Failure to maintain an appropriate register of exactly which employees are receiving benefits could result in all meal entertainment benefits becoming subject to FBT.
NEXT STEPS
To find out if your business need to lodge FBT return for year 2023,
Please Click here Or Book a Free 15 minutes consultation.
FBT FACT SHEETS
Understanding Fringe Benefits Tax in Australia
Home | Articles | Understanding Fringe Benefits Tax in Australia Employers often provide perks like cars or loans as part of a total compensation package. However, the Australian Taxation Office...
FBT for Small Business: What You Need to Know to Stay Compliant
Home | Articles | FBT for Small Business: What You Need to Know to Stay CompliantAs a small business owner, you're probably familiar with the various tax obligations that you need to comply with....
Are there any Special Covid-19 Exemptions for FBT?
You may provide your employees with benefits you do not usually provide because of COVID-19. This includes paying for items that allow your employees to work from home.
Using an Associate Lease to boost family income
An associate lease is a tax effective way to acquire a vehicle while boosting the income earned by the family.
Providing Cars to Employees – Tips & Traps
The provision of company cars to employees is a regular practice across the Australian business landscape. Generally, there are two reasons to provide a car to an employee…
How The ATO Identifies Potential FBT Employers
The ATO access other databases to ensure that employers are compliant. One example of this is accessing state government records to confirm all motor vehicle purchases by an employer and ensuring that these are properly accounted for in both the financial statements.
