OTS survey on the alignment of tax and NICs 3 December 2015
Earlier this year we reported that the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) had agreed with the government to undertake a further review into the closer alignment of income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
Since then a small group of CIPP members has met with representatives of the OTS in a Policy Think Tank to discuss face to face where the complexities lie in the current differences between income tax and NICs. For example there are differences in the definition of income, depending on whether an individual is employed or self- employed, and in the treatment of expenses and benefits. In addition, income tax is calculated on annual income whereas NICs is calculated each time an individual is paid. The OTS has now issued two surveys in which they would like to explore these issues further. There is one survey asking for issues affecting individuals, and that covers all of us, and then there is another survey asking for responses from employers, agents and payroll providers. In each case, the OTS is trying to establish what difficulties these differences give rise to, and what you think could be done to simplify the system. In light of the fact that there are two surveys to complete, and there is a tight deadline of 31 December for completing the surveys , the CIPP Policy Team is not publishing its own survey but is instead urging all CIPP members to complete the OTS survey(s) . The OTS estimates that the survey for individuals should take around five minutes to complete and the survey for employers, agents and payroll providers is more detailed, but may well have a bigger impact on our working lives, and should take around 15 minutes to complete.
Bacs changes may affect Payment Services 3 December 2015
Changes which are being made by the internet community in June 2016 will affect access to Bacs via the Payment Services Website and Bacstel-IP. Bacs are also making changes to their security which will also affect services.
Bacs are advising that it is important that you take action now to prevent interruption to the Bacs services you use.
Click on the links below for information on what you will need to do, depending on how you access our services:
Direct submitter : click here if you submit directly to Bacs.
Indirect submitter : click here if a Bacs Approved Bureau submits to Bacs on your behalf.
Removal of late reporting reason code E 4 December 2015
It was confirmed in the Autumn Statement that the two year relaxation on PAYE reporting obligations which allows PAYE information to be reported to HMRC on or before the last payday in the tax month, ends on 5 April 2016.
From 6 April 2016, the relaxation that currently exists for micro employers will not be extended. Employers who were existing employers on 5 April 2014 and had fewer than 10 employees on 6 April 2015, until 5 April 2016 The relaxation currently enables micro employers to report monthly ‘on or before’ the last payday in the tax month, even where they may have multiple pay periods during the tax month. HMRC guidance provides full details of the relaxation. HMRC will be issuing a letter to those employers currently using the relaxation as part of continued support to the employers who will be affected by this removal. Guidance on GOV.UK has recently been updated in a bid to provide increased clarification about reporting. The Employer Bulletin will continue to include articles to raise awareness and increase understanding and provide some hints and tips. Software Late reporting reason code E has been removed from the 2016/17 Data Items Guide, however it remains included within the technical specification in the event that it might be needed in the future for a different use. Payroll
CIPP Policy News Journal
25/04/2016, Page 292 of 453
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