The taxman usually wants a slice of any benefits provided by an employer to employees – particularly if they are directors of their own limited company. But there are quite a few benefits that are tax-free by law, and so if your employer provides them, that’s cheaper than paying you salary (with tax) for you to buy the goods or services yourself. There is a long list of possibilities, but here’s a selection:

• pension contributions up to £50,000
• childcare vouchers of up to £55pw (for basic rate employees – lower amounts for higher rate taxpayers);
• one mobile telephone where the employer owns the phone;
• vans where the private use is restricted to home-to-work travel;
• loan of a bicycle and safety equipment for commuting;
• health checks for employees or members of the household;
• eye test and lenses where work involves using a computer;
• 45p per mile mileage allowance for business use of your own car;
• annual party costing up to £150 per person attending.