Nothing too racy, dull, scruffy or posh and please don't attract comment or clash with the sofa. Frankly, it is a weekday wardrobe dilemma that nobody would wish for, and certainly not if their working day started at 4am. Breakfast presenter Sian Williams has been refused a tax rebate on her work clothes by HMRC. Judge Christopher Staker saw fit to deny her £1,800 rebate on the £4,500 she spends on her appearance because he thinks it is impossible to divide the business and private benefit of the expenditure.
When Natasha Kaplinksy moved to Channel Five she was said to have received an allowance of thousands of pounds. Rachel Riley of Countdown was reportedly given a £10,000 allowance and a stylist to advise her on what to buy. And Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue are reported to have been given ‘substantial’ clothing allowances for ‘X’ Factor. During the US presidential election, Republican Sarah Palin was vilified for her $150,000 (£98,500) allowance for clothes, hair and makeup. While here, Sarah Brown has no allowance; instead she hires clothes from her favourite designers for public functions, which are paid for with her own money.
Even those who are not in the public eye sometimes get an allowance as a perk of the job. Many fashion companies give their staff a clothing allowance, and it is not uncommon for top PAs, especially those who meet clients, to be given an annual amount to spend on business clothes.
APA supports this benefit and believes it should be totally allowable for tax purposes; after all who wants to wear a stuffy work suit after work (unless for the occasional funeral). APA will be following this up with HMRC and looking to make tax free clothing allowances a norm for PA employment contracts.
When Natasha Kaplinksy moved to Channel Five she was said to have received an allowance of thousands of pounds. Rachel Riley of Countdown was reportedly given a £10,000 allowance and a stylist to advise her on what to buy. And Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue are reported to have been given ‘substantial’ clothing allowances for ‘X’ Factor. During the US presidential election, Republican Sarah Palin was vilified for her $150,000 (£98,500) allowance for clothes, hair and makeup. While here, Sarah Brown has no allowance; instead she hires clothes from her favourite designers for public functions, which are paid for with her own money.
Even those who are not in the public eye sometimes get an allowance as a perk of the job. Many fashion companies give their staff a clothing allowance, and it is not uncommon for top PAs, especially those who meet clients, to be given an annual amount to spend on business clothes.
APA supports this benefit and believes it should be totally allowable for tax purposes; after all who wants to wear a stuffy work suit after work (unless for the occasional funeral). APA will be following this up with HMRC and looking to make tax free clothing allowances a norm for PA employment contracts.
Shelley, APA
Based on an article in the Guardian today
1 comment:
Fabulous idea, I spend so much money on suits which means less to spend on casual clothes. Crikey you've just reminded me that I've got a full staff meeting tomorrow what am I going to wear?!
Post a Comment