BBC’s Sian Williams to ‘read the news naked’ 
Popular BBC Breakfast News anchor Sian Williams has lost a Tax Tribunal case against HMRC having argued that she would be prepared to ‘read the news naked’.
The Tribunal published its decision yesterday (16 March) for a claim made in Sian Williams’ 2004/05 tax return for deductions from her earnings for clothing, a hairdo and laundry totalling just over £4,500.
She argued, unsuccessfully, that these costs are essential to her job as a news reader as the BBC demands that she wear smart clothing and looks presentable, implying that if she wore the same outfit more than two or three times a month she would lose her job.
Chris Lee, a partner and tax specialist at Thames Valley accountants James Cowper, said: “Ms Williams brought an unusual argument forward, stating that the studio is warm and that she doesn’t need clothes to perform her job – she would read the news naked however her employer requires she is clothed. HMRC, perhaps unsurprisingly and it could be said rather unsportingly, disagreed with her.”
The Tribunal hearing revolved around the question of whether clothing is a tax deductible allowance in connection to an individual’s job.
Chris explains: “HMRC has very clear and famously strict rules. Clothing can only be claimed if the expense is met ‘wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the employment duties’. Clothing and a nice hairdo, such as those worn by Sian, can equally be used outside of the place of work and would not qualify for tax relief”.
“We are surprised that Sian would try and bring such a claim, and certainly pursue it through to a Tribunal hearing, when the rules are so clearly stated. Perhaps HMRC should have called her bluff and had her read the news in the buff.”
Chris Lee, Partner, James Cowper LLP, Tel: +44 (0)118 9590261 or email clee@jamescowper.co.uk
19.03.2010