The government has extended the £500 tax relief for employer funded return to work treatments to include all those arranged by employer occupational health services.
The tax exemption for amounts up to £500 paid by employers was due to be applied only to interventions recommended by the new Health and Work Service.
However, the Autumn Statement explained that it would be extended to include those suggested by internal occupational health (OH) teams.
No timeline was put on when the tax relief would be introduced, however it is expected to be included as part of the Finance Bill 2014.
"In response to consultation the government will extend the exemption to medical treatments recommended by employer‑arranged occupational health services in addition to those recommended by the new Health and Work Service," it said.
The announcment is expected to be welcomed by employers as questions had been haning about the application of the tax-relief since the Health and Work Service was introduced.
It is likely this will support employers who wish to maintain their own in-house OH services.
