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Basic PAYE tools update June 2012

Posted by: edwinsmith on June 20th, 2012

An update has been issued for the Basic PAYE tools 2012 package which is produced by HMRC.

Regular users of the Basic PAYE tools software should have the software set up to automatically check for updates and so no action is necessary as the software will prompt you to download the update when you next use the software. If you have automatic updates switched off, you can still check for updates manually - select 'Options' then 'Automatic Update Settings' then 'Check for Updates now'.

If you have not used the software for some time, then previous versions may need to be installed first and a data transfer may be required.

New users can download the software from the HMRC website.

For additional assistance please contact us.

Filed under: PAYE, Tax

Revised advisory fuel rates 1 June 2012

Posted by: edwinsmith on June 7th, 2012

H.M. Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published the latest advisory fuel rates relating to mileage payments for business travel in company cars. These are as follows: 

Engine size Petrol LPG
1400cc or less 15p 11p
1401cc to 2000cc 18p 13p
Over 2000cc 26p 19p
     
Engine size Diesel  
1600cc or less 12p  
1401cc to 2000cc 15p  
Over 2000cc 18p  
       

The changes this quarter is the increase of 1p per mile in LPG for all engines sizes  and reductions of 1p in diesel for engines sizes of 1600cc or less and over 2000cc.

The new rates will be effective from 1 June 2012. However for the first month employers may continue to use the previously published rates if they choose to.

These rates will be reviewed again in August 2012 and any changes made will be effective from 1 September 2012.  The revised fuel rates will be published on the fuel rates page on the HMRC website when they are released.

Advisory fuel rates can be used to calculate the following:

  • Reimbursement to employees of fuel used for business travel in a company car
  • Repayment by employees of fuel used for personal travel in a company car
  • Allowable input VAT on business mileage claims

A more detailed explanation of the use of these rates is on the HMRC website.

The rates applying for earlier periods are also on the HMRC website.

If you have any questions regarding the use of advisory fuel rates or mileage payments please contact us.

Filed under: PAYE, Tax, VAT

Employer provided Smart Phones – Changes in tax implications

Posted by: edwinsmith on May 31st, 2012

HMRC have changed their guidance on smart phones which now fall within the meaning of ‘mobile phone’ for tax purposes where an employer provides a mobile phone to an employee.

Smart phones include Blackberry, iPhones and many Android devices.

Previously, smart phones were considered to be PDA’s (Personal digital assistants) as they combined the functions of a mobile phone with many of the functions associated with a computer. This meant that smart phones used to be treated for tax purposes in a similar way to a computer provided to staff. From 2006/07 it meant staff provided with a smart phone should have paid a benefit in kind if the device wasn’t solely for business use (insignificant private use would be allowed).

HMRC now has new guidance on mobile phones including smart phones which can be found in P11d Guide 2011/12 (480) which states in chapter 22.5, “Where apparatus is clearly designed or adapted for the primary purpose of transmitting and receiving spoken messages and is used in connection with a public communications service, the fact that it can also be used for other functions will not prevent it from falling within the meaning of mobile phone”.

Please refer to our previous guidance on Mobile phones and PDAs – When are they tax free?.

It should be noted that there are many types of devices with telephone functionality that cannot qualify as a mobile phone. The definition does not cover devices that the primary purpose is other than transmitting or receiving spoken messages, even if it can also be used in this way. Examples of devices that do not fall within the definition of mobile phones include satellite navigation devices, tablets and laptop computers.

Please contact us for any further advice

Filed under: PAYE, Tax

Tax relief for expenses of employment

Posted by: edwinsmith on May 25th, 2012

Reimbursed expenses on P11d forms

Employees (earning over £8,500 including benefits) and directors will be receiving copy p11d forms completed by the employer for benefits and expenses paid in the year to 5 April 2012. Expenses covered by a dispensation do not need to be included on the P11 d form (see below for more information on dispensations).

Where an individual’s P11d form includes reimbursed expenses then a claim should be made for any expenses that were incurred for the purposes of the business. The claim can be made separately to HMRC or as part of completing a self assessment tax return.

Claims for business expenses can only claimed where the expenses is wholly, exclusively and necessarily for business purposes.

The claim must be made in order to prevent tax being charged on the expenses. The claim may be made by letter to HMRC.

The tax charge will come about from a PAYE code being issued that show taxable benefits (including expenses) but no corresponding claim for business expenses. The claim for business expenses should result in a correct PAYE code.

Business expenses paid for by employee

Where expenses are incurred by an employee but not reimbursed by the company then tax relief can be claimed on these expenses either by letter if less than £1,500 or by using form P87  if over £1,000 but less than £2,500. HMRC will ask you to complete a tax return if claiming expenses exceeding £2,500.

Expenses cannot be claimed where the employer has reimbursed the expenses and has an agreed dispensation with HMRC not to report these expenses.

Dispensations

Employers should consider applying for a dispensation to HMRC where routine expense payments such as travelling and subsistence are reimbursed to employees.

This saves the employer time when completing the P11d forms and also saves the employee making any necessary expenses claims.  Please refer to our previous article for further information.    

Please contact us if you require any assistance with your forms or payment.

Filed under: PAYE, Tax

Reminder – P11d forms and types of benefits and expenses payments

Posted by: edwinsmith on May 8th, 2012

Expenses and benefits paid to employees during the year to 5 April 2012 are required to be entered on forms P11D and P11D(b).  These forms are due to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by 6 July.

The resulting Class 1A National Insurance payment is due to HMRC by 19 July if paying by cheque or due into HMRC’s bank account by 20 July if paying electronically (22 July is a Sunday). HMRC do operate Faster Payment so the payment will take approximately 1 working day to clear if your bank operates Faster Payment.  If not, the payment is likely to take 3 working days to clear.

Penalties for late filing of the P11D and P11D(b) forms start at £100 for each month that the forms are late.  Penalties and interest may also be charged if you are late paying the Class 1A National Insurance.

P11ds are the annual declaration of any expenses payments, benefits and facilities provided to:

  • each employee or director earning at a rate  of £8,500 a year or more, and
  • each director earning at a rate of less than £8,500 a year, unless they are :

- a full time working director with no material interest in the company, or

- a director of a charity or a non- profit making concern

 The types of benefits and expense payments to include are as follows. 

  • Company credit card expenses
  • Car benefit - provision of company car to employee
  • Car fuel benefit - provision of fuel for private travel
  • Van and fuel benefit - provision of van for more than just incidental private use
  • Interest free loans including overdrawn director’s loan account - only for loans exceeding £5,000 in 2011/12
  • Private medical insurance
  • Expenses payments reimbursed to director or employee – including Travel and Subsistence (but not mileage allowances using the HMRC agreed rates), Entertaining and Other expenses.

Please refer to the 2011/12 P11d guide http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/guidance/p11dguide.pdf  more details on the above and other types of benefits that need to be disclosed.

If you require any assistance concerning P11d forms or tax implications of benefits that need to be declared then please contact us.

Filed under: PAYE

Revised advisory fuel rates 1 March 2012

Posted by: edwinsmith on February 29th, 2012

H.M. Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published the latest advisory fuel rates relating to mileage payments for business travel in company cars. These are as follows: 

Engine size Petrol LPG
1400cc or less 15p 10p
1401cc to 2000cc 18p 12p
Over 2000cc 26p 18p

 

Engine size Diesel
1600cc or less 13p
1601cc to 2000cc 15p
Over 2000cc 19p

The changes this quarter is the increase of 1p per mile in diesel for engines sizes of 1600cc or less and over 2000cc.

The new rates will be effective from 1 March 2012. However for the first month employers may continue to use the previously published rates if they choose to.

These rates will be reviewed again in May 2012 and any changes made will be effective from 1 June 2012.  The revised fuel rates will be published on the fuel rates page on the HMRC website when they are released.

Advisory fuel rates can be used to calculate the following:

  • Reimbursement to employees of fuel used for business travel in a company car
  • Repayment by employees of fuel used for personal travel in a company car
  • Allowable input VAT on business mileage claims

A more detailed explanation of the use of these rates is on the HMRC website.

The rates applying for earlier periods are also on the HMRC website.

If you have any questions regarding the use of advisory fuel rates or mileage payments please contact us.

Filed under: PAYE, VAT

Flat Rate Expenses for Employees and Tax relief for specialist tools and clothing

Posted by: edwinsmith on February 29th, 2012

As an employee you may be able to get tax relief if you spend money on any tools or specialist clothing you need to perform your job and your employer doesn’t reimburse you. You can go back several years and the time limit depends on whether you have previously submitted self assessment tax returns (see link – on ‘how to claim’ below).

Specialist clothing and Tools

As a general rule an employee can’t get tax relief for the cost of clothing they wear to work but there are certain exceptions dependent on the industry sector e.g. where you require protective clothing (building trade) or your job requires a specific uniform like a nurse or fire fighter. See HM Revenue & Customs: Tax relief for specialist tools or clothing for full details.

If you must pay for the cost of replacing, repairing or cleaning the specialist clothing then you are entitled to relief but you cannot claim the initial cost of buying this clothing.

If as an employee you have to buy – out of your own money – the tools you need to be able to do your own work then you are entitled to tax relief e.g.  As a hairdresser your employer might require you to provide your own scissors or a plumber your own tools. The tax relief also applies to the cost of maintaining and replacing tools.

Flat Rate expenses

If you have to spend money on tools or specialist clothing for your job you may be entitled either tax relief for the actual amounts you spend or a ‘flat rate deduction’.

Flat rate deductions are amounts that have been agreed with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The deductions cover what's typically spent each year by employees in different trades. For example, someone working in the clothing industry can get a deduction of £60 each year or stone mason £120. You'll also benefit from less paperwork - you won't have to keep a record of all the individual amounts you spend. Follow the link below to see a table of agreed flat rate expense deductions Flat rate expense deductions .

If your industry is not listed on the table, you can still claim a standard amount of £60 for the laundry costs of uniforms or protective clothing.

How to claim tax relief

If you do not complete a self assessment tax return then you will need to contact HMRC by letter or phone and provide HMRC with various details about your employment, expenses being claimed for, industry sector, occupation etc. See HM Revenue & Customs: How to get allowances and reliefs - employees or directors for full details on making a claim and time limits for getting tax relief.

Please contact us if you require any assistance.

Filed under: PAYE, Tax

PAYE codes 2012-13

Posted by: edwinsmith on January 23rd, 2012

HMRC are currently in the process of sending out revised tax codes for the 2012-13 tax year. Not everyone will receive a code - some codes are simply updated by the employer to reflect new levels of the personal allowance in accordance with instructions issued by HMRC.

Check your code to ensure it is correct and raise any problems with HMRC so that a correct tax code can be issued before the start of the 2012-13 tax year.

If you require help with your code then please contact us.

Filed under: PAYE, Tax

PAYE and cancelling your payment booklet if you no longer need one

Posted by: edwinsmith on January 9th, 2012

If you pay at a bank, Post Office counter or by cheque in the post you need a PAYE payment booklet. However you don't need one if you pay HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) electronically.

You can advise HMRC online to stop issuing further payment booklets by following the relevant link to your HMRC Accounts Office below.

Cancel Cumbernauld accounts office payment booklet

Cancel Shipley accounts office payment booklet

Filed under: PAYE

More than one job? Are you paying too much National Insurance?

Posted by: edwinsmith on January 3rd, 2012

If you have more than one job you can avoid overpaying national insurance contributions by deferring some of your contributions if both of the following apply:

 

  • you pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions with two or more different employers
  • you expect to pay contributions on weekly earnings of at least £817 in one job or £956 in two jobs throughout the tax year

 

The deadline for applying for 2011/12 is 14 February 2012.

To apply you can complete form CA72A Application for deferment of payment of Class 1 National Insurance contributions or if you require further help please contact us.

The renewals for 2012/13 should be issued by HMRC shortly.

Filed under: PAYE, Tax