Change to Employment Allowance

As of the 6th April 2016, selected companies across Wales will no longer be entitled to claim Employment Allowance. As a specialist in payroll, Swansea accountancy firm Bevan & Buckland has provided essential advice on how the changes could affect businesses from various industry sectors.

The legislative update applies to one director limited companies, not one director only on the payroll, receiving a salary above the Secondary Threshold for Class 1 National Insurance contributions, which sits at £156 per week for the 2016/17 tax year. “It’s important to note that the change to this eligibility criteria only affects limited companies, meaning self-employed individuals will be unaffected. If you are affected by the changes however you must take steps to stop your Employment Allowance claim at the start of the tax year. This adjustment can be made using your payroll software,” said Tina Davies, Payroll Manager at Bevan & Buckland and Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals Member.

To stop your claim simply select ‘no’ in the ‘Employment Allowance indicator’ field of the payroll software, and submit an Employment Payment Summary (EPS) to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). These changes will not affect any claims made in previous years.

“After your software has been updated and HMRC informed, you must ensure you pay the full amount of employer Class 1 National Insurance contributions (NICs) without deducting the Employment Allowance. Should the circumstances of your organisation change with more than one employee or director earning above the Secondary Threshold, your claim can be processed and Employment Allowance applied for the entire tax year, even if these changes come into effect during the tax year,” concluded Tina.

For further information about how Bevan and Buckland can help your company with management of the payroll contact Tina Davies on 01792 410100 or by email at help@bevanbuckland.co.uk.

Tina Davies
MCIPP(dip) Member Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals

Tina Davies is manager of Bevan & Buckland’s Swansea Payroll Department, we also operate a payroll bureau service from the firm’s Pembroke and Haverfordwest offices.  

http://www.bevanbuckland.co.uk/services/payroll Tel: 01792 410117

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Swansea Tel: 01792 410100

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Haverfordwest Tel: 01437 760666

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Pembroke Tel: 01646 682383

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Bevan & Buckland Accountants St David’s Tel: 01437 720352