HMRC closes tax loophole for pick-up trucks
The tax loophole that allows drivers of pick-up trucks to save thousands of pounds each year is set to be closed. From July, pick-up trucks such as the Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara will be reclassified as cars rather than vans, eliminating the significant benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax breaks they currently enjoy. Currently, pick-ups weighing over one tonne are classified as commercial vehicles, resulting in lower tax rates. However, under the planned changes, pick-ups will lose their commercial status and be classified as cars. This means that tax will be calculated based on the cost and carbon dioxide emissions of the vehicle, resulting in much higher charges for gas-guzzling pick-ups meaning that the increased costs for affected businesses would be significant. The changes come after a court case brought against HM Revenue & Customs by Coca-Cola, which claimed that certain pick-up trucks should be taxed as commercial vehicles for BIK purposes. The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of HMRC’s decision to tax the vehicles as private cars, leading to the rule change.
