Staff training and courses

A number of exemptions from tax and NIC for work-related training are provided by ITEPA 2003, ss 250–254.

ITEPA 2003, s 250 provides an exemption for both the costs of work-related training as well as other related costs. Where the exemption applies, it does not matter if the employer meets the expenditure or the employee pays and is reimbursed for it by his employer:

• •the training can be either internal or external training, there is no territorial limit to the training location
• •the exemption includes both the employer’s costs and any third party costs
• •it covers the training materials associated with the training
• •the exemption includes travel and subsistence costs, additional childcare costs and other incidental costs

This exemption does not give employees tax relief for the costs of self-financed training where the cost of the training is not reimbursed by the employer.

HMRC guidance is at EIM01210 onwards.

Work-related training is defined as any course or activity which is designed to impart, instil, improve or reinforce any knowledge, skills or personal qualities which:

• •are, or are likely, to prove useful to the employee when performing his duties
• •will qualify or better qualify the employee to undertake the employment, or to participate in charitable or voluntary activities arising through the employment

ITEPA 2003, s 251

The training should relate to the employee’s current employment or a related employment. For example, sending a