You should be made aware that there are significant changes to the way that payroll information will need to be submitted to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The new system of Real Time Information (RTI) is mandatory for all employers and is to be implemented from April 2013.
Under the current PAYE system although payroll is run weekly or monthly the details of payments and deductions made to individual employees are not submitted to HMRC until the end of the tax year. The full breakdown of payments and deductions form part of the year end forms P35 and P14 which are sent in on a tax year basis.
Under RTI employers or their agents will be required to make regular payroll submissions for each pay period during the year detailing payments and deductions made from employees each time they are paid.
Whilst the majority of payroll systems are gearing up to ensure that they are able to deal with the new compliance requirements of the RTI system, there are some important changes which will need to be made to the way you process your payroll.
To maximise compliance with RTI there will be AUTOMATIC PENALTIES which will apply to employers who do not report the correct information or the information on time.
The sequence of events are as follows:
Data Validation
The first step in the RTI process is that you will need to send employee data to HMRC which they will validate using their own databases.
Therefore, to avoid any discrepancies during the validation procedure you need to ensure that the employee information you currently hold is complete and up to date.
In particular you need to ensure that the following employee details are accurate:
• Full employee name
• Date of Birth
• National Insurance Number
• Full postal address.
Three traps to avoid in particular with regard to names:
• Don’t use ‘known’ names for example Bill or Will instead of William, Sue instead of Susan, Bob instead of Robert.
• Don’t use initials in the forename or surname fields.
• Don’t split double-barrelled names over forename and surname fields. So if Jean-Paul is a double-barrelled forename for example, then this all goes in Forename field. If Smith-Jones is a double-barrelled surname for example, then this all goes in the Surname field.
You may wish to check the relevant information with your employees.
HMRC notification
HMRC are planning to stagger the start dates of RTI across employers. Employers will be allocated a start date of somewhere between April 2013 and October 2013. You will receive notification from HMRC regarding your PAYE scheme’s RTI date.
New employee details
Under RTI you will not be able to process pay for new employees which fail the HMRC validation checks. Therefore, please ensure the appropriate checks are carried out and the correct employee information is obtained for all new employees after April 2013.
Casuals
Under RTI employers operating PAYE will have to tell HMRC about payments of earnings to all employees, even where an employee earns less than the lower earnings limit (LEL), currently £107 a week. This is a change from the current situation where employers do not have to maintain a P11 if someone for example earns £20 a month, being well below the LEL.
Payroll processing
The payroll submission you make each pay period must be sent to HMRC before the employees have been paid. Therefore, you may wish to introduce an earlier cut-off date for your pay period after which you will be unable to make any changes for that pay period.
Payments to HMRC
Please bear in mind that under RTI HMRC will be aware of the amount due on a monthly basis.
HMRC are issuing updated information on a regular basis on the new RTI system. We will keep you updated on any further announcements. Meanwhile if you would like any further information about RTI or would like to discuss the option of perhaps allowing us to deal with your payroll on your behalf then please contact me.
Further details are also available on the HMRC website and can be found by visiting http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rti/employerfaqs.htm
Closing payroll schemes
HMRC are about to write to employers who they believe have a payroll scheme which is not being used. The letters are being sent in preparation for the introduction of RTI as HMRC are planning to close any payroll schemes which they believe are no longer needed.
If you receive a letter regarding a payroll scheme which you believe will be used in the future please do get in touch with either ourselves or HMRC
Internet link: Employer Bulletin
Our service
Walker Thompson can relieve you of these payroll processing burdens utilising our in house payroll software. Our service is comprehensive and involves the provision of employee payslips and the completion of all statutory forms, calculations and full RTI submissions within filing deadlines. We assist clients with their BACS payroll payment requirements.
We also assist in the completion of P11D benefit in kind forms, and offer advice on the operation of HMRC legislation with regard to PAYE and NIC deductions over the full range of business sectors.
If you are interested in using our payroll or other services please contact us for a no-obligation competitive quotation.