How is Group Critical Illness Insurance Taxed?

When an employer takes out Group Critical Illness Insurance for its employees, HMRC usually considers it a business expense you can reclaim against corporation tax.

Is Group Critical Illness Insurance a Benefit in Kind?

However, for your employees, Group Critical Illness Cover is generally a taxable benefit in kind (P11D benefit). This means they’ll therefore have to pay tax on the premiums you’re paying on their behalf.

HMRC alters each employee’s tax code to cut their personal allowance (the amount they can earn before paying income tax). This reduction will be equivalent to the value of the annual Critical Illness Insurance premium the business is paying for them.

Do You Pay Tax on Group Critical Illness Payouts?

No, there’s usually no income tax on Critical Illness Insurance payouts for your employees. Employees receive their payout as a tax-free lump sum if they unfortunately have to make a claim.