'I'll read the TV news in the nude': BBC presenter fights for tax relief on her clothes bill

 

 

By Liz Thomas

Last updated at 8:36 AM on 18th March 2010

 

 

• Comments (353)
  
• Add to My Stories
  

 

As every woman knows, keeping up appearances can be taxing.

 

For those in the public eye, finding the right style can be particularly time-consuming - and expensive.

But one BBC presenter is threatening to confront breakfast television viewers with a rather more natural look after being told she can't claim tax relief on the clothes she buys for work.

 

Dressed for success: Newsreader Sian Williams in a red wrap-style dress at the TRIC Awards in London

 

 

Sian Williams says she would be happy to 'read the news naked' - and insists she shells out £4,500 a year on her appearance only because it is necessary for her job.

The BBC Breakfast host is locked in a five-year battle with HM Revenue and Customs, which argues that she cannot claim a £1,800 tax rebate on her shopping because 'it is impossible to divide the business and private benefit of such expenditure'.

Miss Williams, 45, insists wearing the same clothes repeatedly could cause her to lose her job, and therefore her personal maintenance bill - which includes £975 on haircare, £3,200 on clothing and £325 on laundry - should qualify for tax relief.

Her representative told the tax tribunal it was an 'implied term' of Miss Williams' contract that 'she must not wear the same clothes more than twice or three times a month'.

 

Smart: Miss Williams wearing a skirt and blouse to read the BBC breakfast news yesterday

 

He added: 'It is part of the appellant's job, like an actor, to "appear" and to be "seen" on screen.

 

'If the appellant wore the same clothes frequently when appearing on television she would lose her job.

 

'The appellant would be prepared to wear no clothing when performing her job but is required to do so by her employer.'

The HMRC's rules state that employees can claim back tax on expenses incurred 'wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the employment duties'.

In a statement, it argued: 'The clothing in this case is ordinary everyday clothing, there is nothing about the clothing that restricts the use of any particular outfit only to work, and the appellant has not established that there is any contractual requirement for the expenditure.

'It is not enough for the expense to be relevant to the job, or to be incurred in connection with the duties of the job, or for the expense to put the employee in a position to start work.

 

'In this case, the expenditure was not incurred whilst carrying out the duties.

'The BBC employ the appellant to appear on television as a newsreader, and she is not performing her duties when her clothes are being cleaned or when she is sitting in a hairdressing salon.

 

'It is impossible to divide the business and private benefit of such expenditure such that no apportionment is possible.'

Judge Christopher Staker dismissed Miss Williams' claims that bills for clothes, hair and laundry were incurred solely for work purposes.

 

The presenter did not attend the hearing, but it is understood she has the option to launch a further appeal.

Chris Lee, a partner at accountancy firm James Cowper, said: 'HMRC has very clear and strict rules. Clothing and hair can only be claimed if the expense is met "wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the employment duties".

'Clothing and a nice hairdo can equally be used outside the place of work and would not qualify for tax relief.

'I am surprised Sian would try and bring such a claim and pursue it through a tribunal hearing when the rules are clearly stated.'

 

 

 

Like many BBC presenters, mother-of-four Miss Williams is employed by the corporation on a freelance basis, meaning she has to organise her own tax returns.

 

Her claim for a £1,800 rebate relates to tax paid on her £4,500 appearance expenses during the 2004-5 financial year.

As she earns in excess of £150,000, she is taxed at 40 per cent - rising to 50 per cent next month when a new rate for top earners comes into force.

She has previously admitted to owning 'one Alexander McQueen suit which cost a fortune', but said she opts for a 'more high street' look on screen.

A spokesman for Miss Williams said: 'This was a comment made by Sian's representative, who was trying to explain the case.

'There is no danger of her actually presenting naked.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1258766/BBC-presenter-Sian-Williams-fights-tax-relief-clothes-bill.html#ixzz0icjmJm86

"As every woman knows, keeping up appearances can be taxing."

 

What a way to start an article.