How Is A Death In Service Policy Taxed?
Question asked by Charlie Hotson
I’ve been looking at getting Critical Illness Cover for my employees. However, I was wondering if I need to pay tax on a Group Critical Illness policy?
I’d also like to know how HMRC taxes Critical Illness Insurance payouts if any of my employees unfortunately need to claim?
When an employer takes out Group Critical Illness Insurance for its employees, HMRC usually considers it a business expense you can reclaim against corporation tax.
However, for your employees, Group Critical Illness Cover is generally a taxable benefit in kind (P11D benefit). This means they’ll therefore have to pay tax on the premiums you’re paying on their behalf.
HMRC alters each employee’s tax code to cut their personal allowance (the amount they can earn before paying income tax). This reduction will be equivalent to the value of the annual Critical Illness Insurance premium the business is paying for them.
No, there’s usually no income tax on Critical Illness Insurance payouts for your employees. Employees receive their payout as a tax-free lump sum if they unfortunately have to make a claim.