EIM42785 - Salary sacrifice: contributions to a registered pension scheme: example of successful salary sacrifice

Sections 62 and 308 ITEPA 2003

This is an example of a successful salary sacrifice and its income tax effects.

For an example of a salary sacrifice that is not successful see EIM42786 and EIM42790.

For information on salary sacrifice generally see EIM42750 onwards.

Example of successful salary sacrifice

A senior employee, who is not a director, is contractually entitled to a bonus each year. The amount of the bonus is based on the profits of the employing company.

The company’s year end is 31 January. Accounts for the year ended 31 January 2020 are finalised on 31 July 2020 enabling the amount of the bonus to be calculated. The employee is not entitled to payment of the bonus until 31 October 2020. The employee is informed on 31 August 2020 that the bonus will be £10,000. The letter informing the employee of the bonus asks the employee to choose between:

  • receiving the bonus, or
  • giving up his contractual rights to the bonus in return for the company making a £10,000 employer’s contribution to a registered pension scheme for his benefit

The employee chooses the second option and returns the completed documentation to the company to this effect on 30 September 2020. The completed documentation makes it clear that

  • the employee has given up his contractual rights to the bonus based on the company’s profits for the year ended 31 January 2020 and
  • he does not have the right to change his mind on this decision

This is a successful sacrifice because it meets the necessary requirements (see EIM42760):

  • the bonus would have become money earnings on 31 October 2020. It is given up before then
  • the true construction of the revised arrangement between employer and employee is that the employee has got lower taxable cash remuneration and a non-taxable benefit. The £10,000 is not chargeable

From 6 April 2017, the Income Tax and NICs advantages where benefits in kind are provided through salary sacrifice arrangements (described in the Finance Act 2017 as “optional remuneration arrangements”) are largely withdrawn. Guidance on optional remuneration arrangements from 6 April 2017 starts at EIM44000.

Transitional provisions apply for a limited period. For further details see EIM44030.

Certain benefits in kind are excluded from the changes. For further details see EIM44130.

Employer contributions into registered pension schemes and employer provided pensions advice are excluded from the April 2017 changes. Payments made under successful salary sacrifice arrangements continue to be regarded as employer contributions and not taxable on the employee.