Tag Archives: tax codes

Newsletter – February 2011

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In this month’s enews, as the profession recovers from the 31 January 2010 self assessment deadline, we advise you of the latest news including the record number of returns filed online and the latest inflation figures.

Please browse through the articles using the links below and contact us if any issues or questions arise.

eNEWS quicklinks
New record for filing online tax returns HMRC offer advice on fraud emails
Managed Payment Plans Student loan repayments
Tax codes being issued Vehicle Scrappage
Inflation

New record for filing online tax returns

According to HMRC statistics a record number of taxpayers filed their Self Assessment tax returns online this year.

Apparently 6,429,899 people filed online by 31 January 2010 deadline. This number was three quarters of all returns submitted and was an increase of nearly 12% on the 2009 total of 5.8 million.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms said:

“More people than ever before are now filing their tax returns online. It’s easier, quicker and HMRC processes your return faster, so any money you’re owed is repaid more quickly. If you haven’t yet made the switch from paper to online, do so, and join the millions who are benefiting already.”

Internet link: Press release

HMRC offer advice on fraud emails

HMRC are warning taxpayers to be vigilant as there have been several reports of scam emails offering a tax repayment. Taxpayers should not respond to any email promising a tax repayment.

The email advises the recipient they are due a tax refund and directs them to an online form to provide bank or credit card details for the payment of the “rebate”.

Where taxpayers believe they may have been the victim of an email scam they should report the matter to their bank/card issuer as soon as possible. HMRC are advising that those providing their details have had their accounts emptied and credit cards used to their limit. Victims are also at risk of having their personal details sold on to organised criminal gangs.

HMRC are expecting an increase in this type of email as following the Self Assessment filing deadline, many taxpayers will be waiting to receive confirmation of their repayment.

HMRC said:

“We only ever contact customers who are due a refund by post. We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances. We strongly urge anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation before deleting it.”

HMRC’s further advice is to:

Check with HMRC at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm

Internet link: HMRC news

Managed Payment Plans

HMRC has announced that they will launch a new method of paying tax liabilities, known as Managed Payment Plans, in April 2011.

The plan could be entered into by any individual taxpayer making payments under Self Assessment (whether final payments or payments on account) and by companies, under corporation tax self assessment. Group companies and those already subject to quarterly instalment arrangements will be unable to apply.

In order to be able to take advantage of the scheme, which allows the tax to be paid in monthly instalments, taxpayers will have to meet certain conditions:

  • The taxpayer has made their self assessment for the year.
  • All previous tax must have been paid or time to pay arrangements must already be in place.
  • Payments must be made by direct debit.

Payments need to be made in equal monthly instalments on 15th of each month spread symmetrically either side of the payment date. In order to take advantage of a full twelve months to pay, taxpayers will need to make their self assessment and propose their plans by the following dates:

  • 31 October for SA taxpayers who are required to make payments on account on 31 January and 31 July;
  • 31 July for SA taxpayers who only have a final 31 January payment to make;
  • six months before the normal due date for payment for CTSA.

The deadlines for the submission of returns are tight. If you are interested in taking advantage of the payment option please do get in touch so we can look into the matter for you.

Internet link: HMRC news

Student loan repayments

HMRC have announced a new initiative to reduce student loan over repayments for those ex students who repay their loan through PAYE deductions.

Ex students have been in the position whereby it has been difficult for them to avoid over repaying their student loan as the loan term came to an end. This is due to the time delay between their employer making deductions from their salary each month and submitting an annual return showing the individual repayment amounts for each employee.

Ex students will now be able to opt out of PAYE repayments in the last 23 months of repayment and transfer to a Direct Debit arrangement. This should mean that the ex student will not over repay their loan.

This new initiative has been introduced by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The SLC will try to contact borrowers shortly before the last 23 months to offer and arrange this option. However if a borrower is aware that they are reaching this point they can contact the SLC direct and arrange to repay the balance of their loan in this way.

Employers will not have to change their procedures as their authority to stop making deductions comes from HMRC on a form SL2 Stop Notice and this authority will be issued in the normal way.

Internet links: HMRC student loan advice SLC repayment website

Tax codes being issued

HMRC have updated their guidance on the issue of multiple or incorrect PAYE tax codes to some employees following the introduction of their new National Insurance and PAYE computer system.

HMRC have admitted that the changeover to the new system has brought to light some discrepancies in their records which have resulted in some incorrect coding notices being issued.

HMRC advise that three main situations may result in incorrect coding notices. Their updated guidance states that:

  • a previous employment stopped some time ago but HMRC’s system has not picked this up and a Coding Notice has been sent for that employment
  • two notices have been sent for the same employment
  • the code BR (basic tax) or DO (higher rate tax) has been given for an employment or pension for the first time.

HMRC advise that they will try to correct as many of these discrepancies as possible well in advance of the new tax year.

Please do get in touch if you would like us to check your tax code.

Internet link: HMRC guidance

Vehicle Scrappage

The Vehicle Scrappage Scheme is a voluntary scheme for motor dealers under which participating dealers give buyers a £2,000 discount off the purchase price of a new car (or certain types of small van) in exchange for scrapping their old qualifying vehicle.

The government has announced that the deadline for the end of the Vehicle Scrappage Scheme has been extended from the proposed February 2010 to March 2010. The extension is to allow manufacturers and dealers more time to prepare for and operate the final phase of the scheme.

The scheme, which is jointly run by the government and car manufacturers, will now run until the end of March 2010 or until the funding is exhausted, whichever is the sooner.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

“Against the background of the economic downturn the Scrappage Scheme has proved a great success, driving UK car sales, protecting jobs and supporting the supply chain for car manufacture at a time when this sector needed it most.”

“If you’re considering buying a new car, you should place your order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, because the budget is strictly limited.”

Internet links: Press release Scrappage website

Inflation

Government figures released show that the inflation rate increased to 3.5% in January 2010 from the previous month’s figure of 2.9%.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation percentage was affected by both the VAT rate returning to 17.5% and higher fuel prices.

The Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation which includes housing costs rose to 3.7% in January 2010 (from 2.4%).

Internet link: BBC news

Newsletter – January 2011

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In this month’s enews we report on the latest HMRC disclosure opportunity and advise you to check any PAYE tax code you receive with care.

Please browse through the articles using the links below and contact us if any issues or questions arise.

eNEWS quicklinks
The Tax Health Plan (THP) HMRC new scam emails
Employment Rights – Statutory limits Dispensations – new online application form
Tax codes being issued Scrappage Scheme
Statutory payments Using your own car for work
Tax Payments  

The Tax Health Plan (THP)

HMRC have obtained information from various sources, including NHS trusts, private hospitals and medical insurers and are introducing the THP as an opportunity for medical professionals with tax to pay to get their affairs up to date with the benefit of a fixed penalty.

Taxpayers must notify HMRC of the intention to make a disclosure by 31 March 2010 and must make a full disclosure of all undeclared liabilities and full payment of all outstanding taxes and duties, interest and penalties by 30 June 2010.

The penalty is fixed at 10% of the taxes/duties underpaid unless the total amount of unpaid liability being disclosed is less than £1,000, in which case there is no penalty.

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HMRC will pursue those with undeclared tax liabilities who decide not to make a disclosure.

The THP is initially open to members of the General Medical Council but is expected to be extended to other health professionals including dentists.

If you have any concerns in this area please do get in touch.

Internet link: HMRC guidance on THP

HMRC new scam emails

HMRC have issued a warning about a new scam email which is being sent from ‘HMRC Online Services – test@test.com’ stating that the recipient has one new ALERT message and should log onto their Online Account to read the message.

The email includes a link to a fraudulent website which asks the taxpayer for their personal account information and password. HMRC are advising that the email is not from them and that anyone receiving a copy should forward it to them at phising@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Internet link: HMRC scam email example

Employment Rights – Statutory limits

The limit on the amount of the compensatory award for unfair dismissal is set to decrease from 1 February 2010. The current maximum of £66,200 is to reduce to £65,300, due to the decrease in the retail prices index measure of inflation. This new limit applies where the event giving rise to the entitlement to the payment arose on or after 1 February 2010.

The maximum amount of a week’s pay for the purpose of calculating the basic or additional award of compensation for unfair dismissal or redundancy payment has not been amended from the current amount of £380. This rate has been in force since 1 October 2009.

The Business Link website includes a useful calculator of statutory redundancy entitlement.

Internet links: Business link calculator Statutory instrument

Dispensations – new online application form

HMRC have introduced the facility to apply for dispensations online.

Where an employer has a dispensation they do not have to report expenses and certain benefits to HMRC on forms P9D or P11D at the end of the tax year. Where employers have a dispensation in place this can be time saving.

If you would like to discuss applying for a dispensation please do get in touch.

Internet link: HMRC guidance on dispensations

Tax codes being issued

HMRC are advising employees that between January and March 2010 they will be issuing new PAYE coding for 2010/11. The tax codes should reflect the individual’s personal circumstances and include the tax allowances and reliefs that individuals are entitled to.

HMRC are advising that this is the first time the annual coding process will take place using HMRC’s new computer system for processing PAYE, known as the National Insurance and PAYE Service (NPS). HMRC are expecting more employees than usual, approximately 25 million, to receive coding notices because of the new system.

However, it appears that there may be a problem with the new coding notices, according to the Chartered Institute of Tax President Andrew Hubbard

“Most people on PAYE are used to assuming that what the taxman sends them is correct. Many file away coding notices without even bothering to check them.”

“But this year, many of them are being given wrong information, and unless they spot it and tell HMRC, their employer will receive the wrong information too, and they could get a nasty shock when they open their April pay packet and see it is as much as a hundred pounds lighter than they are expecting.”

According to the CIOT website

‘Those affected are thought to include taxpayers who have left a job in the last few years. The HMRC database appears to have ‘lost’ the information it holds about people leaving jobs and as a result is combining taxpayers’ current employment records with old data and concluding that they have two (or more) jobs and much higher earnings than they do.

Anyone with two jobs normally has their personal allowance (the portion of your income you do not have to pay tax on) counted against the job with the highest wage. As a result of the error many people will, in effect, have their personal allowance split between two jobs or allocated to a job they no longer have, meaning their current employer will be obliged to deduct too much income tax. The personal allowance will be £6,475 for most people under 65 in 2010/11. If the whole of that personal allowance is wrongly applied that would cut a basic rate taxpayer’s pay packet by about £108 a month or £1,295 a year.’

If you receive a new tax code and are unsure whether or not it is correct please let us know so we can check it for you.

Internet links: HMRC guidance on tax codes Chartered Institute of Tax statement

Scrappage Scheme

The Vehicle Scrappage Scheme is a voluntary scheme for motor dealers under which participating dealers give buyers a £2,000 discount off the purchase price of a new car (or certain types of small van) in exchange for scrapping their old qualifying vehicle.

Funded jointly by the government and manufacturers, the scheme has proved very popular. Although the scheme is set to run until February 2010, recent figures show that approximately 80% of the available budget for the scheme has already been utilised. As the scheme enters its final stages the Department for Business will allocate order quotas to manufacturers based on brand popularity and it is hoped it will help to ensure a smooth closing of the scheme.

Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary, said:

“I’m pleased to see that the scheme has been taken up by so many people, supporting our automotive manufacturers through a very difficult time. With limited orders as we near the close of scrappage there is a risk of disappointment for car buyers. I would urge people who are still keen on taking part to put their orders in as soon as possible as time is running out.”

For general information on the £2,000 scrappage discounts and other conditions visit the scrappage website link below. For HMRC’s views on the business tax and VAT implications of the car and van scrappage scheme use the HMRC link below.

If you have any queries on the tax implications of the scheme please do get in touch.

Internet links: BIS press release Scrappage website HMRC Brief

Statutory payments

The new Statutory Payment Rates for 2010/11 have been announced. The new rates are as follows:

The current Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) weekly rate of £79.15 is being retained for 2010/11.

The Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) standard rate will be £124.88 for payment weeks beginning on or after 4 April 2010. The current rate is £123.06.

The same weekly rate applies to Statutory Paternity and Statutory Adoption Pay.

If you would like any help with any of these statutory payments please do get in touch.

Internet link: Business link statutory payment rates

Using your own car for work

HMRC have updated their guidance on using your own vehicle for work. The guidance needs to be read in conjunction with the mileage rates which for those using their own car for work purposes are unchanged at 40 pence a mile for the first 10,000 miles dropping to 25 pence a mile thereafter.

Internet links: HMRC factsheet mileage HMRC mileage rates

Tax Payments

For those making tax and national insurance payments on 31 January 2010 HMRC are reminding that their bank details changed last year. To confirm that you are making payment to the correct bank account please visit the link below.

Internet link: HMRC bank details