Workers who need a coronavirus test will be taxed for it in their pay

The Chancellor has promised to ‘very quickly’ consider whether workers given coronavirus tests by their employers should be taxed for the ‘benefit’. 

Rishi Sunak said he will look at whether Covid-19 tests count as a ‘taxable benefit in kind’.

Mel Stride, Tory chairman the Commons Treasury Select Committee, urged the Chancellor to investigate this ‘as a matter of urgency’ as he said it could hit the pockets of frontline workers who are regularly tested.

He added: ‘On HMRC’s website has recently appeared guidance suggests those who take Covid-19 tests as provided by their employer will have to treat the cost of those tests as a taxable benefit in kind – something which is very unfortunate in particular in respect of those frontline workers who may be involved.’

Responding, Mr Sunak said: ‘I’m delighted with him for raising this with me and of course we will look into it very quickly.’

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The financial expert Martin Lewis tweeted this morning: ‘HMRC yesterday confirmed workers who have a Coronavirus test from employer as part of their job will see it treated as a ‘benefit in kind’ and thus be taxed on it (& see take home pay reduced)

‘Delighted to see the Treasury Select Committee are taking this up with the chancellor.’

The issue caused a number of outraged responses on social media. 

A Treasury spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘The Treasury is looking in to this issue.’

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