“Smart Company” and “Not so Smart Company” invited their employees to their respective annual Christmas parties held off business premises.
Both used an external event management provider. In both instances, transport to the venue from the office was organised for the employees.
The respective Christmas parties were each attended by 100 employees and both companies were invoiced a total of $31,000.

Smart CompanyNot so Smart Company
Tax invoice supplied by the event management provider with a breakdown of costs inclusive of GSTTax invoice supplied by the event management provider with the total cost amount inclusive of GST
Food & Drinks                     $20,000 Entertainment                     $5,000 Transport to the venue from the office                                       $2,000 Management fee charged by event manager                      $4,000  Total cost of Christmas Party                                                            $31,000 
The management fee charged by the event management company is not considered to be a benefit provided to the employees and is not included in the taxable value. Consequently, the cost per head of the Christmas Party works out to be $270 (i.e. ($20,000 + $5,000 + $2,000)/100).As Not So Smart Company was not provided with a breakdown of costs for the Christmas Party, the total invoiced amount becomes the taxable value for FBT purposes. Accordingly, the cost per person is $310.
As the cost per person is under $300 and the benefit is provided once a year, this benefit qualifies for the minor, infrequent and irregular exemption, and will not attract FBT.As the cost per person is greater than $300, the minor benefit exemption does not apply, and the benefit is subject to FBT in full.
Total Costs$31,000$31,000
Costs subject to FBT$27,000$31,000
Number of employees100100
Cost per person$270$310
FBT$0$30,309
Total cost to the business$31,000$61,309

The Takeaway? Ensure you get a invoice with a breakdown of costs, and the per head total is under $299 per employee!

Merry Christmas!