Introduction to Income Tax and NICs

Introduction to Income Tax and NICs Deductions

• Health or dental insurance costs (unless provided for as a contractual deduction) such as to a Hospital Savings Association • Pension scheme contributions (including Additional Voluntary Contributions, AVCs) Usually, the rules of the pension scheme will stipulate that by becoming a member of the scheme, the employee accepts that deductions will be made from pay. It is usually up to the employer to choose whether to make voluntary deductions from an employee’s pay ; it does not need to offer a Payroll Giving scheme, for example. However, an employer may be required to make voluntary deductions in some circumstances. For example, the legislation for pensions automatic enrolment requires the employer to deduct pension contributions from the pay of certain employees without requiring their consent. But these deductions are still considered voluntary because the employees can choose to leave the pension scheme afterwards (and, in some circumstances, have their money back).

3.3

Implications of deductions

3.3.1 Sequence

The sequence of deductions is important because this will have a direct impact on the calculation of PAYE income tax, NI contributions and attachment orders. Depending on their purpose, deductions can be made before or after the calculation of income tax and/or NICs.

The following is the sequence that deductions from pay are to be made in:

• Recovery of any overpayment, so that the gross pay is reduced

• Deductions for PAYE income tax and NIC (note that these have equal priority)

• Deductions for attachment orders (such as AEOs)

Deduction for a Postgraduate Loan

• Deduction for an undergraduate Student Loan

• Contractual deductions (but including pension contributions)

Voluntary deductions.

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