VAT implication on Employee Wellness

[Accountant GP]

Hi Guys

Please could you kindly help.

My company hosts and annual wellness day programme where we have services such as HIV Counsel & Testing, can we claim VAT on such?

Also we provide staff with meals daily, can we claim VAT on the gas refills for gas stoves used in the kitchen?

I'd really appreciate some help on these topics.

[Kevin Smith]

I am not an accountant, but from prior dealings with similar queries, my answer would be no in both cases. They both form part of staff welfare, and as such, you can't claim the input VAT.

Maybe someone can shed some light on a creative way to get around the issue, but the amounts are probably fairly small amounts, and it is far easier to stay on the right side of the VAT man. The time lost during a VAT audit probably outweighs the claims you could make, let alone the interest and penalties if you have claimed for expenses you shouldn't have. If in doubt - err on the side of caution and don't claim it.

[Accountant GP]

Thank you so much, this is quite a sober response.

Apologies for the late response, I'm new to this platform. I wasn't even aware that someone had answered my question.

Thank you so much