School-branded clothing

[enjay]

Our school is a wide multi-building site, which my team obviously need to move around regardless of weather. I'd like to get them school-branded coats as the Site Team, PE Team and for some reason our Pastoral Managers have. HR are saying these would be taxable benefits because they're not uniform or protective. The branded scuff clothes (workwear trousers, sweatshirts) we have are protective so not taxable. I thought anything branded was tax-exempt; does anyone have any experience with this?

[PotNoodleTech]

How is a coat not protective? Protects you from the wind, protects you from the rain, stops you dying of hypothermia, etc??

 

Secondly - dont buy them as coats for specific people just buy them as a collection of protective coats for the school (with various badges on)

[TechMonkey]

Why is the tax an issue? Go to your site team, or bursar and just say you would like to get branded kit, what do you need to do.

 

We have branded Polo shirts and fleeces, first time I got them through a specific person on site, after that they just told me to go and get them direct.

[Fazza]

Surely if it has your School Logo on then it's a Uniform - no logo, then it's just a coat! HR are not normally the Finance department so your business manager or bursar etc. is the person to speak to.

[enjay]

Why is the tax an issue? Go to your site team, or bursar and just say you would like to get branded kit, what do you need to do.

 

We have branded Polo shirts and fleeces, first time I got them through a specific person on site, after that they just told me to go and get them direct.

 

That's what I did, and I was told the coats are declarable tax assets because they're a benefit, so I came here to fact-check that.

[Fazza]

That's what I did, and I was told the coats are declarable tax assets because they're a benefit, so I came here to fact-check that.

 

According to Google and all the companies selling branded clothing, branding a uniform makes it tax exempt it only becomes a 'fringe benefit' if there is no branding on it.

[Dos_Box]

As the others had said, when it's 'branded' and you use it for work, then it's classed as uniform.

Our accountant cleared that up for us many years back.

[enjay]

Thanks everyone, that's what I thought. Looks like one of my colleagues needs a refresher!

[PotNoodleTech]

Send on a "how not to be a total jobsworth" course.

[Chris_Cook]

Even if its taxable, that doesn't mean the school can't buy it for you, surely?

 

The rules as explained by our finance director is that it needs to be something that wouldn't be worn outside of work other than (I think) commuting to and from work.

 

So the logo needs to be reasonably big but not necessarily the huge one we had on the back of our shirts the first time round.

[enjay]

Even if its taxable, that doesn't mean the school can't buy it for you, surely?

 

True, but my staff might not want them if they have to pay. I suppose the answer there is I'm not forcing them to wear them, so if they'd rather use their own, they can do so.

[paulkerton]

There are no tax or NI liabilities if clothing is protective or part of a required uniform. If it has a logo on it, then it is uniform.

[enjay]

There are no tax or NI liabilities if clothing is protective or part of a required uniform. If it has a logo on it, then it is uniform.

 

These aren't required uniform, but I still think they count as uniform because of the logo so are exempt.

[Fazza]

These aren't required uniform, but I still think they count as uniform because of the logo so are exempt.

 

At a guess I'd say it becomes 'required' when a manager says they want it. We all have branded polo shirts and fleeces as the manager requires us to wear it for example.

[keyboards]

I've never heard something so ludicrous! If you asked for five Nike jackets, they would have a very minor point but not really and with school branding that is a total non-starter

[DrBeaker]

I've just read this thread and can't believe how incompetent and misinformed your HR department is (then again I guess I can).

 

1) Uniform isn't taxable as it counts as a uniform.

2) If you're required to wear it you should get your tax allowance as well for washing a uniform at home.

[FN-GM]

can't believe how incompetent and misinformed your HR department is (then again I guess I can).

 

Their HR department needs to stay in their own lane!

[Roberto]

These aren't required uniform, but I still think they count as uniform because of the logo so are exempt.

 

Guy I work with, a contractor with his own limited company, has his company logo on the inside pocket of his suits, then claims tax relief for the company uniform.

 

I think you and your staff ought to be fine if my colleague can make that one fly.

Edited September 14, 2024 by Roberto

[thimon]

From years of working in retail I would loathe to wear company branded clothes / a uniform again.

[enjay]

I've just read this thread and can't believe how incompetent and misinformed your HR department is (then again I guess I can).

 

1) Uniform isn't taxable as it counts as a uniform.

2) If you're required to wear it you should get your tax allowance as well for washing a uniform at home.

 

I think the point they're getting stuck on is "required", my staff aren't required to wear these clothes, I'm offering them for convenience.

[enjay]

Their HR department needs to stay in their own lane!

 

Different schools have different structures, and there is a reason why I included our HR Manager in the discussion.

[elsiegee40]

Thanks everyone, that's what I thought. Looks like one of my colleagues needs a refresher!

 

It also looks like others wearing the coat may be being taxed wrongly!

[enjay]

It also looks like others wearing the coat may be being taxed wrongly!

 

Indeed, maybe I've just saved some colleagues a bit of money!