TAXING QUESTIONS ON FREE CROISSANTS ANSWERED

Date: 18 March 2008

Location: South East

Contact: Travel for Work on 01223 712429

Do Cambridgeshire businesses need to pay tax on free croissants offered to entice staff to bike into work? This and other similar questions will be answered by a transport expert at a special mini-conference.

Businesses who want to look at ways of promoting healthier and more environmentally ways of getting their staff to work often worry about the tax implications of initiatives.

Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (TfW). TfW is inviting employers to meet Professor Stephen Potter, a nationally acknowledged expert in the field who will show how the tax system can support employer travel initiatives.

The free meeting is being sponsored and hosted by Mott MacDonald at their offices Demeter House in Station Road, Cambridge on Tuesday, 18th March at 4pm, refreshments are being provided.

Stephen Potter, Professor of Transport Strategy at the Open University, has produced a very well received, short and free guide entitled ‘Tax and Travel Plan Measures’. He said: “I am delighted to be coming to Cambridge to hopefully clarify whether measures in business travel plans are tax exempt.”

Stephen has worked on Travel Plans for over 10 years, has undertaken research and supported lobbying on tax reforms to support Travel Plan measures. Tax reforms proposed in his work have featured in several Government budgets since 1999.

Mark Webb, Development Manager at Travel for Work, based at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We are very pleased that Stephen is coming as I know how well respected his work is in the travel planning field. He will help take the mystery out of the tax and travel plans issue.”

The meeting will also hear from Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Huntingdonshire District Council whom have recently implemented tax-free cycle purchase schemes for staff. Guests will hear how the two different tax efficient schemes were implemented and how it benefited staff and the business.

There will also be ample opportunity for guests to quiz an expert panel on any issue regarding travel initiatives.

The meeting will give employers an opportunity to network with others who are developing travel initiatives for their employees. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Travel for Work on 01223 712429.

In answer to the question – Professor Potter says, “Free croissants and coffee are tax exempt!”

The Travel for Work meeting will be hosted by Mott MacDonald Demeter House Station Road Cambridge with afternoon tea/buffet being served from 4:00pm with presentations starting at 4.30pm. The meeting will close at around 5:45pm.