The UK scrapped meal vouchers in 2013. If you get a cash meal allowance, see how much lands in your pocket after income tax and National Insurance.
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The UK has no meal-voucher scheme since 2013 — a cash allowance is taxed as pay. Canteen meals and benefits under £50 (trivial benefits) can be tax-free.
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Last updated: 12 July 2026. The UK abolished the luncheon-voucher tax relief on 6 April 2013. A cash meal allowance is taxed as normal pay (income tax + National Insurance). Free or subsidised workplace canteen meals (s.317 ITEPA) and one-off perks under £50 (trivial benefits) can be tax-free. Source: gov.uk — Expenses and benefits: meals.
⚖︎ Results are for informational purposes and do not constitute tax advice. For specific situations, consult a licensed accountant or the relevant tax authority.
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iHow it is calculated
Unlike Romania or Türkiye, the UK has no meal-voucher tax scheme. If your employer pays a cash meal allowance, it is treated as ordinary earnings: income tax at your marginal band (20/40/45%) plus employee National Insurance (8%, or 2% for additional-rate earners) are deducted. This tool shows how much of the allowance you actually keep.
you keep = allowance − income tax − National Insurance
A £100/month cash meal allowance for a basic-rate taxpayer: income tax £20, National Insurance £8, so you keep £72. By contrast, a free meal in a staff canteen or an occasional benefit under £50 would be tax-free — the cash allowance is the taxable option.
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?Frequently asked questions
Are there meal vouchers in the UK?
No. The luncheon-voucher tax relief was abolished on 6 April 2013. There is no statutory meal-voucher scheme, so a cash meal allowance is taxed like normal salary.
How is a cash meal allowance taxed?
As ordinary pay: income tax at your marginal rate (20%, 40% or 45%) plus employee National Insurance (8% up to the upper earnings limit, 2% above it).
Are workplace canteen meals tax-free?
Free or subsidised meals in a staff canteen available to all employees are exempt (s.317 ITEPA 2003) — but not if provided under a salary-sacrifice arrangement.
What is the £50 trivial benefits exemption?
Employers can give occasional benefits worth up to £50 tax-free (trivial benefits), but this cannot cover regular or daily meals, which count as taxable pay.
Is a meal allowance different from business travel meals?
Yes. Reasonable subsistence costs while travelling for work can be reimbursed tax-free under HMRC rules. A general, ongoing meal allowance for normal working days is taxable.
How much of my £100 meal allowance do I keep?
For a basic-rate taxpayer, about £72 after 20% income tax and 8% National Insurance. A higher-rate taxpayer keeps about £52 (40% tax + 8% NI).
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