Quote Originally Posted by Longweekend View Post
I just realised that I did not 'opt' out of my company's BUPA cover for the year! This now means I have to pay tax on the benefit, but, if I use the private medical I would be saving the NHS money as they would not be treating me so where is the logic in charging me extra tax? You can't seem to win in this dear country of ours.......
I receive the benefit of Private Health Care Insurance through my employer too. It's a perk and you are only paying tax on the actual benefit .......... for example, if the cost to you as an employee is £40 per month, you will only pay 20% of tax of that (if a standard rate tax payer), the rest is free.

You are not paying "extra tax", a benefit is treated as income. it's a perk and the other 80% is free. It also doesn't include "ordinary" trips to see a GP for day to day issues or emergency treatment. This perk is used by companies to try to keep sickness levels down and the huge amount of associated hours lost