EIM26104 - The benefits code: beneficial loans: amount of the official rate
Section 181(1) ITEPA 2003
The official rate is varied from time to time under Treasury regulations.
From 6 January 2002, the table below gives details of the rates applicable to all loans in sterling and loans in foreign currencies other than those specified in EIM26106.
| From | To | Official rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April 2023 | - | 2.25% |
| 6 April 2021 | 5 April 2023 | 2.00% |
| 6 April 2020 | 5 April 2021 | 2.25% |
| 6 April 2017 | 5 April 2020 | 2.50% |
| 6 April 2015 | 5 April 2017 | 3.00% |
| 6 April 2014 | 5 April 2015 | 3.25% |
| 6 April 2010 | 5 April 2014 | 4.00% |
| 1 March 2009 | 5 April 2010 | 4.75% |
| 6 April 2007 | 28 February 2009 | 6.25% |
| 6 January 2002 | 5 April 2007 | 5.00% |
In January 2000, the Inland Revenue announced that the general approach would be to set the official rate in advance for the whole of the following tax year to lower the regulatory burden on employers. This policy is reviewed if during a tax year interest rates fall significantly, to ensure that employees are not overtaxed on this benefit.
For example, in the autumn of 2001 there were successive reductions in interest rates and, rather than waiting until 6 April 2002, from 6 January 2002 the official rate was reduced to 5.00%. The average official rate for the tax year 2001 to 2002 was 5.94%.
The official rate remained unchanged at 5.00% from January 2002 to April 2007. On 6 April 2007, the official rate was increased to 6.25%.
There was a further in-year change in the official rate in the tax year 2008 to 2009. Following successive reductions in interest rates in late 2008 and early 2009, the official rate was reduced to 4.75% from 1 March 2009. The average official rate for the tax year 2008 to 2009 was 6.1%.
The official rate remained unchanged at 4.75% throughout the tax year 2009 to 2010 and was reduced to 4.00% with effect from 6 April 2010.
The rate remained unchanged until 6 April 2014 when it was reduced to 3.25% and then 3.00% on 6 April 2015.
The official rate remained at 3.00% throughout the tax year 2015 to 2016. Due to the continuing fall in interest rates during 2016, the official rate reduced to 2.50% from 6 April 2017.
See EIM26105 for certain foreign currency loans.