SE23300 - Car benefits: calculating the car benefit charge 1994/95 to 2001/02; general
Section 157(2) and paragraphs 1-7 Schedule 6 ICTA 1988
The approach to calculating the cash equivalent of the benefit
of a car available for private use changed substantially from the
beginning of 1994/95. These instructions relate only to the
approach from 1994/95 onwards. Details of the system in place
before 6 April 1994 are archived in SE23849 onwards.
The 1994/95 system was modified from the beginning of
99/2000. This page explains in broad terms the system as it applied
both before and after the 99/2000 modifications.
There is a major change to the system for calculating the
cash equivalent from 2002/03 onwards. Guidance starts atSE23350.
From 1994/95 the cash equivalent of the benefit has been
calculated as a percentage of the 'price of the car as regards a
year.'
- For 1994/95 to 1998/99 inclusive the relevant percentage is 35%. The resulting figure is then adjusted to take account of business mileage, age of the car, periods of unavailability, and payments for private use to give the amount of the benefit chargeable to tax. (See SE23301 onwards).
- For 99/2000 to 2001/02 the relevant percentage is determined according to the business mileage driven in the car and will be either 15%, 25% or 35%. The resulting figure is then adjusted to take account of age of the car, periods of unavailability, and payments for private use to give the amount of the benefit chargeable to tax. (See SE23320 onwards).
Both before and from 6 April 1999, if the car is changed part way through the year, the car benefit charge should be calculated separately for the old and new cars to arrive at the correct benefit charge for the whole year.
- See SE23304 (1994/95 to 1998/99) and SE23323 (99/2000 to 2001/02) for how business mileage bands are affected by part years.
- See SE23500 onwards for how the car benefit charge is reduced to take account of periods when the car was unavailable).
Working sheets which can be used to calculate car benefit charges can be found as follows:
Arguments that normal car benefit rules do not apply where cash alternative offered
Some taxpayers have argued that a different basis of valuing the benefit should be used if a cash alternative to the car is offered (but not taken). Section 157A ICTA 1988 makes it clear that the mere fact that a cash alternative is offered does not change the method of calculation of the cash equivalent of the car benefit.
