- Overall, the country’s festive tax bill is estimated at £6.3billion this year
- Report suggests average consumer will spend £544 on Christmas
- That’s up almost two per cent, 38 per cent higher than European average
Taxes add nearly 20 per cent to the cost of Christmas, a report reveals.
The average UK household will pay £241 in tax as part of their festive spending, according to research by the TaxPayers’ Alliance. Overall, the country’s Christmas tax bill is estimated at £6.3billion.
John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Every year taxpayers work hard and save so they can enjoy the Christmas break with their families, but HMRC makes it increasingly difficult to do so … The taxman should stop playing Grinch and leave us a bit more for our Christmas stockings.’
HMRC has been criticised by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which claims it makes Christmas difficult for families
On a £999 iPhone X, the VAT is nearly £200, with spending on Lego and alcohol also contributing to the taxman’s income
The report suggests the average consumer will spend about £544 on Christmas – up nearly 2 per cent on last year, and 38 per cent higher than the European average. Overall, the typical household will spend around £1,355.
On a £999 iPhone X, the VAT is nearly £200. On a £130 Lego Star Wars BB-8, the tax is £26. A £40 John Lewis box of crackers includes £8 in tax.
December spending on alcohol is £4billion – meaning duty revenues for the taxman of £1.2billion, or £44.65 per household. The average family also pays £17.87 in fuel duty over Christmas.