EIM16040 | Vouchers and credit-tokens: what is a non-cash voucher?

Section 84 ITEPA 2003

For a description of the points to consider in a case involving vouchers or credit-tokens see EIM16030.

Section 84 ITEPA 2003 gives a very wide meaning to a non-cash voucher. It includes not only conventional retail vouchers of the sort widely available from High Street stores but also “any voucher, stamp or similar document or token”. This definition may therefore catch documents in letter form as well as plastic discs or tokens inserted into machines.

The voucher, however, needs to be capable of being exchanged for goods and services. This implies a reciprocal giving up of the voucher in return for the receipt of goods or services. A pass that just has to be shown to obtain goods or services would not meet this condition. (But see EIM16055 as regards childcare vouchers and EIM16060 in respect of transport vouchers.)

A non-cash voucher is defined so as to include a childcare voucher (see EIM16055) a cheque voucher (see EIM16048) and a transport voucher (see EIM16060). As regards meal vouchers, see EIM16210.

A benefit arises where a non-cash voucher is provided for an employee or a member of his or her family (see EIM16080) by reason of the employment.

For details of when there are earnings from a non-cash voucher see EIM16045.