Tax relief granted on SIA licences

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has gained an agreement from the Inland Revenue for its licence fee to be tax deductible.

The Inland Revenue has agreed to update tax regulations so that SIA licence fees paid by door supervisors will qualify for the relief.

Anyone who pays their own licence fee will be able to claim tax relief against their taxable income. For a worker paying the basic rate of tax this will be worth £41.80, and for those on a higher tax rate the relief is £76.80.

The news has been welcomed by the SIA, which has come under fire in recent weeks as door supervisors have complained about fees and training programmes they do not believe are necessary.

This was emphasised when very few door supervisors applied for licences in the first enforcement area of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Robert Buxton, SIA spokesman, said: "Not all professional fees get this relief so we're very pleased. Sometimes it seems there are those in the security industry who don't like the thought of it being legitimate. But the professional qualification is of benefit to the individual, with more responsibility they will be able to charge more money for their services."

The Inland Revenue regulation that covers the relief is The Income Tax (Professional Fees) Order 2004 SI No.1360. To claim the relief contact your nearest Inland Revenue enquiry centre, details of which can be found in the telephone book or on the Inland Revenue's web site at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.