Buying old laptop from employer

[shooi]

Hello,

My company refreshes employee laptops every few years and currently disposes of the old ones. I have asked if I can buy one of the old ones for personal use (because it's better than the PC my lad is using currently) but have been told this is not possible due to 'tax implications' and the conversation has been stopped there.
I would be really grateful if someone could explain what these 'tax implications' would be - I would offer the market value for the laptop (which isn't much, but is loads less than buying a new one), so I don't believe that there would be any BIK involved.
(I have had a quick search of the forums and haven't found this question, although there are similar questions. If I've missed something, please just provide the link).
Many thanks,

Phil

[mullet]

If you pay the full market value (second-hand value) then there aren't any tax implications. In strictness the benefit arising is that market value, which is then reduced by the amount that you pay. So it would have to be reported on your P11D as nil, but that isn't a huge burden. The guidance is at EIM21655:

If the asset is chargeable as earnings from the employment under Section 62 ITEPA 2003 the amount chargeable is its second-hand value in the hands of the employee less anything he pays for it (see EIM00540).

Source: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim21655.htm

[shooi]

Thank you mullet, that makes perfect sense.

Phil

[towat]

"Tax implications" can cover a multitude of sins, I think it is more likely that they don't want to sell old computers to employees for other reasons, maybe data security issues, maybe they sell them for cash and don't declare it or maybe they are worried about staff bickerinig about who gets first choice.

[Generix]

They would likely have to charge you VAT also.

Also they would likely have to wipe all software and perhaps remove the hard-drive if it ever contained any protected data of e.g. customers.