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COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme – new rules from 1 July

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme – new rules from 1 July

On Friday evening the Chancellor announced three changes to the Job Retention Scheme as well as an extension to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (the self-employed can skip ahead to that section).

The changes are outlined here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Detailed guidance on the new rules is expected to be published 12 June.

Job Retention Scheme – new rules starting 1 July

1. From 1 July 2020, the scheme will be made more flexible to enable employers to bring previously furloughed employees back part time and still receive a grant for the time when they are not working.

2. From 1 August 2020, employers will have to start contributing to the wage costs of paying their furloughed staff and this employer contribution will gradually increase in September (govt will fund 70%) and October (govt will fund 60%).

3. The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June.

Employers: What to do now?

The final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10 June (in order to complete the minimum 3 week furlough by 30 June).

As some employers have been rotating their furloughed workers then they should consider now if any workers that haven’t yet been furloughed can be furloughed before 10 June in order to leave the door open to the flexible furloughing (part-time) rules starting 1 July.

Extension to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

The Chancellor also announced plans to extend the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) for those people whose trade is adversely affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus). Eligible self-employed people will be able to claim a second and final SEISS grant in August; this will be a taxable grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits for three months, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £6,570 in total.

If you make a claim for the second grant you will have to confirm your business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020 (PER GOV.UK 12 JUNE UPDATE). People do not need to have claimed the first grant to claim the second.

Self-Employed: What to do now?

Claims for the first SEISS grant, which opened on 13 May, must be made no later than 13 July. Eligible self-employed people must make a claim before that date to receive the first SEISS grant (a taxable grant of 80% of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total).

My previous COVID-19 posts can be found here:

Enjoy saving tax? 

We have two videos to help on our YouTube-logo-full_color channel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on  or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme: Advice for Company Directors

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme – Advice for Company Directors

The critera to qualify for the COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme (essentially funding 80% of salaries), is without doubt, stricter and less generous in the case of small company directors. Below I’ll discuss what can be claimed by this group of employees. The full guidance is the same as that for the non-director employees and is found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Job Retention Scheme: How it applies to company directors

  • Directors can be furloughed if they’re an employee on PAYE and on the payroll on 28 February 2020
  • The same restrictions to furloughing apply both to directors and employees. See here for the full list but of particular difficulty for directors is the requirement to perform no work whilst furloughed.
  • In practice, a company may be so badly affected by the crisis that it goes into a ‘COVID-19 hibernation’ meaning that the director would have no day to day employment type duties (especially, income generating activity) but is still on hand to undertake their statutory duties as company director.
  • Other companies might only be partially affected. In such cases, it might be practical to furlough all but one of the directors. This may especially apply to small husband and wife ran companies.

How much is the grant worth to directors?

  • Employers can choose to pay a furlough salary of 80-100% but the government is funding only up to 80% (capped at £2,500). In the case of directors it’s likely that the company will want to continue to pay 100% of the current salary in the knowledge that 80% will be funded by HMRC later.
  • Directors salaries are usually set quite low with the remainder of their remuneration being paid via dividends. Unfortunately HMRC will not be funding anything towards dividends.
  • Presuming therefore that you earn a typical directors salary (often below all tax and NI deductions) of £719 per month. HMRC will fund approx £575 per month.
  • The grant will be received by the company as taxable income and cannot be expected to hit the company before late-June 2020 or later.

Practical tips

  • There’s no need to worry or rush to take action. If work has ground to a halt you will qualify for this scheme. Just apply the rules are best as you can formalise the arrangement later using our template letter to furlough.
  • As for claiming the grant – please don’t contact HMRC. They’re of course extremely busy and are in the process of contacting employers.

My previous COVID-19 posts remain relevant and are:

Enjoy saving tax? 

We have two videos to help on our YouTube-logo-full_color channel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on  or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme (detailed guidance for employers)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme – detailed guidance now available

Many employers are now considering their need to furlough employees perhaps from the next pay period starting 1 April. Thankfully updated and more detailed guidance on the Job Retention Scheme has now been released.

My summary of the scheme is below and I will personally help each affected client navigate their own particular circumstances. The full guidance is found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Job Retention Scheme Summary

  • Grant is available to all employers that had employees on the payroll on 28 February 2020.
  • All employees can be included (full-time, part-time, agency, zero-hours) if they’re being furloughed because of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Employees cannot work whilst furloughed. Employees put on reduced hours do not qualify.
  • You must have your employees agreement to designate them as furloughed. Of course put this in writing once discussed.
  • The scheme is running from 1 March 2020 for at least 3 months. The minimum period for which you can furlough an employee is 3 weeks.
  • Employers can choose to pay a furlough salary of 80-100% but the government is funding only up to 80% (capped at £2,500). Most employers are best advised to pay the 80%.
  • If 80% of an employee’s salary equates to less than National Minimum Wage (NMW) then that’s fine under the circumstances because the employee is not actually working the hours.
  • A furloughed employee may volunteer to perform work which does not generate income for the business (e.g. bookkeeping, admin type tasks) and can undertake training courses whilst furloughed.
  • Once agreed the payroll runs as normal, with usual tax, NI and pension deductions.
  • An employee who already has two or more jobs can be furloughed by one employer and continue to work for another.
  • If your employee is already sick or self-isolating and in receipt of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) this must run its course before they can be furloughed.

How do employers calculate the 80%?

Fixed salary employees – simply pay 80% of the fixed salary that was paid for 28 February.

Employees whose pay varies –
For those that have been employed for a full year, take the higher of:

  • the same month’s earning from the previous year
  • average monthly earnings from the 2019-20 tax year

Fees, commission and bonuses should not be included in the calculation.

For those that have been employed for less than a year – use the average monthly earnings since they started work.

HMRC will also be funding the any Employer National Insurance Contributions and automatic enrolment contributions up to the minimum 3% contribution rate.

Effectively a furloughed employee paid at 80% will cost the employer nothing.

What to do now?

For many employers the best decision will be to furlough all but a skeleton staff. Discuss this with your employees now, decide when to start their period of furlough. Agree with them for how long (a minimum of 3 weeks) but you may like to do one month and reviewed monthly (up to a maximum 3 months unless extended by the government) and at what rate they’ll be paid 80-100%. Finally, and importantly, write to them to confirm. Our letter template can be downloaded Job Retention Scheme – Letter to employees.

As for claiming the grant – please don’t contact HMRC. They’re of course extremely busy and are in the process of contacting employers.

You may well experience a delay between paying your employee and receiving this grant. The claim system is expected to be working by the end of April. Plan you cash flow accordingly and consider using the Business Loan Interruption Scheme (interest free loans – just contact your bank).

What about small company directors?

UPDATE 1 Apr 2020: See my post: COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme – Advice for Company Directors

During the crisis I’ll be blogging about government help for small businesses as soon as the guidance is available. My previous COVID-19 post remain relevant and are:

What financial support is available for UK businesses? – NOW UPDATED
Can the Self-Employed go to work?
Help for the Self-Employed and other FAQ’s
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Help for the Self-Employed – PER THE 26 MARCH ANNOUNCEMENT

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): What financial support is available for UK businesses?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): What financial support is available for small UK businesses?

Following is what we know so far. Clients will be updated as soon as possible on specific rules regarding eligibility and how to make claims once that info is available.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

All UK employers will be given support in paying 80% of employees salaries up to £2,500 per month (for at least 3 months from 1 March 2020) for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during, and only due to, the Coronavirus crisis.

How to claim – HMRC are working urgently to set-up a system but for now we know that you need to designate employees are “furloughed workers”, notify your employees and submit those details to HMRC (method of submission yet to be announced).

VAT payments

VAT payments falling due between 20 March – 30 June 2020 simply do not need to be made on time. This applies to all businesses but it’s deferment only. Any deferred payments will need to be caught-up by 31 March 2021 if not earlier. In the meantime VAT Returns must still be submitted on time. VAT Refunds will be processed as normal.

UPDATED INFO: HMRC ask that businesses please cancel their direct debits with their bank with the intention of setting these back-up again when you cash-flow allows you to make payments.

Self-Assessment payments for the Self-Employed

The usual payment on account due by 31 July 2020 does not need to be paid until 31 January 2021. This deferment will not attract penalties or interest. No application to defer is needed.

UPDATED INFO: Deferral of the July payment on account now applies to all taxpayers under Self-Assessment. There is no need to contact HMRC to arrange this.

HMRC will fund Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for employees absent due to Coronavirus

Until now employers themselves have funded the £95.85 per week SSP paid to employees during sickness absence. However, starting 13 March 2020 HMRC will fund employers up to two weeks SSP per eligible employee (including directors of small limited companies) who is absent because of COVID-19 (infected, self-isolating etc). During the crisis SSP is payable from day 1 of absence rather than the usual day 4. Eligible employees are those earning at least £120 per week. The HMRC mechanism for repayment is being designed and yet to be announced.

Self-employed not eligible for SSP

The Self-Employed will qualify for Employment Support Allowance of around £73 per week from day 1 of COVID-19 related sickness (extended from the usual day 8). If already claiming Universal Credit then claims are to be made via that system.

Business Rates

Automatic business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure industry for 2020/21. Local Authority will write to confirm – no action needed.

Automatic cash grants for retail, hospitality and leisure industry trading from business properties of up to £25,000 or £10,000 for properties with a rateable value under £15,000 (including those paying no business rates because of Small Business Rate Relief). Local Authorities are writing to affected businesses. No action or application is needed.

UPDATED INFO: The list of businesses to qualify for the grants is expanding. Of note, Estate Agents and Childcare Nurseries recently added.

Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

The scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow up to 25% of their turnover, capped at £50,000.

The government guarantees 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. Details here.

Insurance

Unfortunately, most businesses are not specifically not insured for closure due to pandemics or government-ordered shut-downs. But, check your policy – if you are then insurers are reportedly dealing fairly with such claims.

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Optimum Directors’ Salary and Dividends for 2020/21

What is the optimum directors’ salary and dividend mix for 2020/21?

Small companies will usually pay their directors with a mix of salary and dividends. The level of the directors’ salary is usually set in order to avoid any income tax and national insurance. On this basis the recommended remuneration package for the forthcoming tax year is:

Upper limits (if intention is to fully utilise the basic rate tax band)


2020/21


2019/20
Directors’ salary – per annum

£8,788

£8,632
Dividends – per annum

£41,212

£41,368

It should be noted that dividends exceeding both the personal allowance and the dividend allowance of £2,000 will be taxed via the directors’ personal income tax return at 7.5%. Meaning that if dividends are paid all the way up to the basic rate band of £50,000 (same as last year) there will be a personal tax bill of £2,663 (last year £2,663)

Companies with more than just a single director on the payroll may benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company’s Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employer’s N.I.) by up to £4,000.

In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £12,500 and dividends up to a maximum of £37,500 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £260).

This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. More than ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.

Each client of ours will be receiving a personalised recommendation shortly.

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on our YouTube-logo-full_color channel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on  or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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National Minimum Wage rise from April 2020

National Minimum Wages rates

National Living Wage (NLW) rates (for those over 25 years old) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates (for those under 25 years old) will rise from 1 April 2020.

The NLW increase of 51p represents a 6% rise, equivalent to an annual increase of around £930 for a full-time worker.

In summary and effective 1 April 2020 the follow minimum wage rates will apply

Year 25 and over 21 to 24 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice *
April 2019 £8.21 £7.70 £6.15 £4.35 £3.90
April 2020 (new rates) £8.72 £8.20 £6.45 £4.55 £4.15

* The apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

Plan ahead

Ensure your payroll procedures are up to date and consider notifying staff ahead of time in writing (even via a note on their payslip). This transparency is likely to be well received and could help build positive employee relations. It also offers an opportunity to explain that any overtime worked during a pay reference period prior to the introduction of the new rates, that is payable after these have been introduced, will still be paid at the previous rate.  For further details and more rates visit gov.uk

Pension contribution rates

If you employ staff and run a pension scheme the minimum contributions rates remain the same with no more planned increases:

  • Employer minimum pension contribution 3%, staff contribution 5%.

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National Minimum Wage & Pensions rise from April 2019

From 1 April 2019 the minimum hourly pay rates along with the minimum contributions for auto-enrolment pensions will increase affecting both employees and employers.

First let’s look at the National Minimum Wages rates:

National Living Wage (NLW) rates (for those over 25 years old) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates (for those under 25 years old) will rise from 1 April 2019.

The NLW increase of 38p represents a 4.8% rise, equivalent to an annual increase of about £700 for a full-time worker.

In summary and effective 1 April 2019 the follow minimum wage rates will apply

Year 25 and over 21 to 24 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice *
April 2018 £7.83 £7.38 £5.90 £4.20 £3.70
April 2019 (new rates) £8.21 £7.70 £6.15 £4.35 £3.90

* The apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

The Government has previously said it plans to raise the national living wage to at least £9 per hour by 2020.

Ensure your payroll procedures are up to date. For further details and more rates visit gov.uk

 

Pension contribution rates increase from April 2019

If you employ staff and run a pension scheme the minimum contributions rates are increasing from April 2019. This has long been the intention of The Pension Regulator (TPR) and is the last increase of “phasing”. The increases are as follows:

  • Employer minimum pension contribution 3% (from 2%), staff contribution 5% (from 3%).

If we provide your payroll services then we will of course implement the increased rates on your behalf but because this represents an increased cost for both employer and employee we highly recommend that you let your staff know in advance of this change. To do so you may like to use this TPR letter template.

Source info and more detail: http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers/phasing-increase-of-automatic-enrolment-contribution

 

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Optimum Directors’ Salary and Dividends for 2019/20

What is the optimum directors’ salary and dividend mix for 2019/20?

Small companies will usually pay their directors with a mix of salary and dividends. The level of the directors’ salary is usually set in order to avoid any income tax and national insurance. On this basis the recommended remuneration package for the forthcoming tax year is:

 

Upper limits (if intention is to fully utilise the basic rate tax band)


2019/20


2018/19
Directors’ salary – per annum

£8,632

£8,424
Dividends – per annum

£41,368

£37,926

It should be noted that dividends exceeding both the personal allowance and the dividend allowance of £2,000 will be taxed via the directors’ personal income tax return at 7.5%. Meaning that if dividends are paid all the way up to the basic rate band of £50,000 (2018/19 was £46,350) there will be a personal tax bill of £2,952 (last year £2,438)

Companies with more than just a single director on the payroll may benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company’s Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employer’s N.I.) by up to £3,000.

In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £12,500 and dividends up to a maximum of £37,500 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £270).

This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. More than ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.

Each client of ours will be receiving a personalised recommendation shortly.

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on our YouTube-logo-full_color channel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on 
or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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National Minimum Wage Rise from April 2018

National Living Wage (NLW) rates (for those over 25 years old) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates (for those under 25 years old) are to rise from 1 April 2018.

The NLW increase of 33p represents a 4.4% rise, equivalent to an annual increase of about £600 for a full-time worker.

In summary and effective 1 April 2018 the follow minimum wage rates will apply

Year 25 and over 21 to 24 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice *
April 2017 £7.50 £7.05 £5.60 £4.05 £3.50
April 2018 (new rates) £7.83 £7.38 £5.90 £4.20 £3.70

* The apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

The Government has previously said it plans to raise the national living wage to £9 per hour by 2020.

Ensure your payroll procedures are up to date. For further details and more rates visit gov.uk

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on ourYouTube-logo-full_colorchannel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on Google+ or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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Optimum Directors’ Salary and Dividends for 2018/19

What is the optimum directors’ salary and dividend mix for 2018/19? Or click here if you’re looking for our more recent 2019/20 recommendation.

Small companies will usually pay their directors with a mix of salary and dividends. The level of the directors’ salary is usually set in order to avoid any income tax and national insurance. On this basis the recommended remuneration package for the forthcoming tax year is:

 

Upper limits (if intention is to fully utilise the basic rate tax band)

2018/19

2017/18
Directors’ salary – per annum

£8,424

£8,164
Dividends – per annum

£37,926

£36,836

 

It should be noted that dividends exceeding both the personal allowance and the dividend allowance of £2,000 (previously £5,000) will be taxed via the directors’ personal income tax return at 7.5%. Meaning that if dividends are paid all the way up to the basic rate band of £46,350 (2017/18 was £45,000) there will be a personal tax bill of £2,438 (last year £2,138)

For those companies that have more than just a single director on their payroll then they will continue to benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company’s Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employer’s N.I.) by up to £3,000.

In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £11,850 and dividends up to a maximum of £34,500 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £240).

This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. More than ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.

Each client of Massey Accounting Company will be receiving a personalised recommendation shortly.

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on ourYouTube-logo-full_colorchannel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on Google+ or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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Pension contribution rates increase from April 2018

If you employ staff and run a pension scheme the minimum contributions rates are increasing from April 2018 as set-out in the table below. This has long been the intention of The Pension Regulator (TPR) and is known as phasing.

 

 

Date Employer minimum contribution Staff contribution Total minimum contribution
Until 5 April 2018 1% 1% 2%
6 April 2018 to 5 April 2019 2% 3% 5%
6 April 2019 onwards 3% 5% 8%

If we provide your payroll services then we will of course implement the increased rates on your behalf but because this represents an increased cost for both employer and employee we highly recommend that you let your staff know in advance of this change. To do so you may like to use this TPR letter template.

Source info: http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers/phasing-increase-of-automatic-enrolment-contribution

Enjoy saving tax?

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National Minimum & Living Wage Rise from April 2017

National Living Wage (NLW) rates (for those over 25 years old) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates (for those under 25 years old) are to rise starting 1 April 2017.

The eagle-eyed among you may notice that those on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) are enjoying their second increase in a year (the last being 1 October 2016).

In summary, and effective 1 April 2017 the follow minimum wage rates will apply

  • Workers aged 25 and over – £7.50 per hour (up from £7.20 from 1 Apr 2016)
  • Workers aged 21 – 24 years old £7.05 per hour (up from £6.95 from 1 Oct 2016)
  • Workers aged 18 – 20 years old £5.60 per hour (up from £5.55 from 1 Oct 2016)
  • Workers under 18 years old £4.05 per hour (up from £4.00 from 1 Oct 2016)
  • Apprentice rate £3.50 per hour (up from £3.40 from 1 Oct 2016)*

* The apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

Employers may be relieved to know that future rises are now planned for just once a year in April.

Ensure your payroll procedures are up to date. For further details and more rates visit gov.uk

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on ourYouTube-logo-full_colorchannel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on Google+ or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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Optimal Directors’ Salary and Dividend Mix for 2017-18

Probably the most important post of the year for limited company directors!

Question: What’s the most tax efficient salary and dividend mix for the 2017/18 tax year?

An owner managed limited company will usually pay their directors / shareholders with a mix of salary and dividends.

The level of the director’s salary is usually set in order to avoid any income tax and national insurance. On this basis the recommended remuneration package for 2017/18 is:

Upper limits for 2017/18

Salary – per annum: £8,164 (last year £8,060)
Salary – per month: £680 (last year £671)

Dividend – per annum: £36,836 (last year £34,940)
Dividend – per month: £3,069 (last year £2,911)

It should be noted that since the introduction of the dividend ordinary tax rate of 7.5% on dividends over £5,000 there will be a personal tax bill of £2,138 (last year £2,025) if dividends are paid all the way up to the basic rate limit of £45,000 (last year £43,000).

For those companies that also have non-director employees on the payroll then they will continue to benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company’s Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employer’s N.I.) by up to £3,000.

In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £11,500 and dividends up to a maximum of £33,500 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £234).

This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. More that ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.

Each client of Massey Accounting Company will be receiving a personalised recommendation shortly.


Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on ourYouTube-logo-full_colorchannel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on Google+ or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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National Minimum Wage Rise from 1 October 2016

Ok, so this is getting confusing. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) now runs alongside the National Living Wage (NLW).

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates rise from 1 October 2016 whereas we don’t expect an increase in the National Living Wage until April 2017.

In summary, and effective 1 October 2016 the follow minimum wage rates will apply

  • Workers aged 25 and over – £7.20 per hour (as has been the case since 1 April 2016)
  • Workers aged 21 – 24 years old £6.95 per hour (up from £6.70)
  • Workers aged 18 – 20 years old £5.55 per hour (up from £5.30)
  • Workers 16 – 17 years old £4.00 per hour (up from £3.87)
  • Apprentice rate £3.40 per hour (up from £3.30)*

* The apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

Ensure your payroll procedures are up to date. For further details and more rates visit gov.uk

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on ourYouTube-logo-full_colorchannel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on Google+ or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.


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A tax free gift, is it true?!

A tax free gift, is it true?!

In general, an employer will report gifts made to employees on their annual Benefit-in-Kind Return form P11D meaning that both the employer and employee will pay income tax and national insurance on the value of the gift.

However since 6th April 2016 employers are now, sensibly, able to give tax free gifts to employees up to the value of £50 without the cost or complication of reporting a Benefit-in-Kind.

Such gifts now have a statutory exemption under the Trivial Benefits-in-Kind rule, which must meet each of the following four conditions to qualify for the exemption:

  • the cost of providing the benefit does not exceed £50 (or the average cost per employee if a benefit is provided to a group of employees and it is impracticable to work out the exact cost per person)
  • the benefit is not cash or a cash voucher
  • the employee is not entitled to the benefit as part of any contractual obligation (including under salary sacrifice arrangements)
  • the benefit is not provided in recognition of particular services performed by the employee as part of their employment duties (or in anticipation of such services)

Practical points

  • This is a useful statutory exemption allowing employers to provide most gifts without needless complication.
  • To be treated as a trivial benefit in kind the gift must cost under £50. If your gift costs £51 then the whole amount will be taxed on the employer and employee as a benefit in kind.
  • The gift must be freely given and not as a reward for employee performance (examples include birthday gifts, Christmas presents, a gift on the birth of a new baby, the cost of a summer garden party).
  • Whilst cash or cash vouchers cannot be given, store / gift vouchers may be given.
  • There is no change to the amount of tax relief the business will receive on the cost of the gift. For example a garden party may still count as entertaining which is not allowed for corporation tax.

Source info: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-exemption-for-trivial-benefits-in-kind-draft-guidance/tax-exemption-for-trivial-benefits-in-kind-draft-guidance

Related topics

Entertaining and Meals Out – What is the correct tax treatment?

Are gifts to customers allowable against tax?

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What happens if you don’t comply with Automatic Enrolment?

What happens if you don’t comply with Automatic Enrolment or you miss your staging date?

The Pension Regulator will initially focus on educating employers who miss their staging date deadline however persistent and deliberate non-compliance can lead to penalties of between £50 – £10,000 per day. Ultimately criminal prosecution can ensue. For more information please visit The Pension Regulator.

For those who get around to meeting their duties only after their staging date has passed then the consequences include, at a minimum, additional admin and professional fees, and you will be required to back-date any missed contributions (in some cases you may also need to pay the late employees contributions on their behalf).

Massey Accounting Company is starting its communication with each of its employers between 6 – 12 months before their staging date. If you need any help or just a have a question, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

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Budget 2016 – A Business Owners Guide

The Budget 2016 was by and large welcomed by small businesses. Notable for plans to scrap business rates for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less from April 2017 (up from £6,000) and a further planned reduction in the corporation tax rate to 17% from April 2020 (the current corporation tax rate is 20%, reducing to 19% from 1 April 2017).

Download here our more detailed: Guide to Budget 2016.

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National Living Wage to replace National Minimum Wage from April 2016

The National Living Wage of £7.20 per hour will become the new minimum pay rate for those aged 25 and over starting 1 April 2016.

Slightly confusingly the two terms National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) will now run in tandem but basically:

If your employees are aged 25 and over they will be entitled to the £7.20 National Living Wage.

Under 25 years old and they will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage of £6.70. Although there are lower rates for those under 21 or on an apprentice scheme. See our post regarding NMW for more details.

It seems that the change needs highlighting because we’ve become accustomed to the NMW rise on 1 October each year. But on 1 April 2016 many of your employees will be entitled to their second pay rise in 6 months. Please be sure to plan for the additional costs and adjust your payroll settings accordingly.

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Optimal Directors’ Salary for 2016-17

Probably the most important post of the year for limited company directors!

If you’re looking for the 2017/18 optimal directors’ salary, check out this year’s post here. Otherwise for our 2016/17 article read on.

An owner managed limited company will usually pay their directors’ / shareholders’ with a small salary + dividends.

The level of the director’s salary is usually set in order to avoid any income tax and national insurance. On this basis the recommended remuneration package for 2016-17 is:

Upper limits for 2016-17

Salary – per annum: £8,040 (last year £8,040)
Salary – per month: £670 (last year £670)

Dividend – per annum: £34,960 (last year £30,891)
Dividend – per month: £2,913 (last year £2,574)

It should be noted that with the introduction of the dividend ordinary tax rate of 7.5% there will be a personal tax bill of £2,025 if dividends are paid all the way up to the maximum basic rate limit of £34,960 (yes, that’s a personal tax bill of up to £2,025 compared to £nil last year!).

For those companies that also have non-director employees on the payroll then they will continue to benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company’s Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employers N.I.) by up to £3,000 (last year £2,000).

In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £11,000 and slightly lower dividends of £32,000 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £237 (last year £203)).

This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. This year, more that ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.

Each client of Massey Accounting Company will be receiving a personalised recommendation shortly.


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Check out our new whiteboard animation

Please check out our newly created 2 min. whiteboard animation. Comments and feed-back are welcome! Please feel free to share.

 

Enjoy saving tax?

We have two videos to help on ourYouTube-logo-full_colorchannel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on Google+ or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.