Brocade bangs the drum for BYOD tax breaks

Networking vendor Brocade has dismissed claims that the growth of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) schemes could be stymied by UK tax rules.

Analysts have recently raised concerns that UK tax rules make BYOD programmes unfeasible, because devices are commonly considered to be taxable workplace benefit.

Marcus Jewell, UK country manager at Brocade, does not support this view.

"Salary sacrifice benefit schemes will allow employees to buy their own mobile device for mixed personal and work use," Jewell said.

"This would not be seen as a taxable benefit for either employer or employee [because] the system would function like the popular Cycle to Work bike purchase scheme.

"The idea that BYOD will become prohibitively expensive due to increasing tax liabilities is a myth," he added.

However, Jewell said the Government could do more to support businesses that want to adopt BYOD schemes.

"[For instance] through tax breaks, to incentivise businesses to get on board and help them release the full potential of BYOD in the long term," he said.

This would have a positive impact on the economy, because BYOD schemes often result in employees becoming more productive, added Jewell.

"Employees who are able to transfer their personal IT preferences into the workplace have greater familiarity, comfort, and satisfaction using their devices, and get more done," he concluded.