The latest tax news for entrepreneurs
Our monthly tax news bulletin cuts straight to the main tax news the effects entrepreneurial business owners.
Tax-Free Childcare and childcare options
Tax-Free Childcare, the new government scheme to help working parents with the cost of childcare launched at the end of April and is being rolled out to parents, starting with those parents with the youngest children first.
For every £8 a parent pays in, the government will pay in an extra £2. Parents can receive up to £2,000 per child, per year, towards their childcare costs making a total amount of £10,000. Higher limits of £4,000 and £20,000 apply for disabled children.
To qualify for Tax-Free Childcare parents and partners in the household must generally meet a minimum income level of on average £120 a week and each earn less than £100,000 a year.
The scheme will be available for children up to the age of 12, or 17 for children with disabilities. All eligible parents will be able to join the scheme by the end of 2017. Those eligible will be able to apply for all their children at the same time although the government rollout will start with the youngest children first. Parents will need to open an online account, which they can use to pay for childcare from a registered provider.
For those employers who currently offer Employer Supported Childcare, usually in the form of childcare vouchers, these schemes can remain open to new entrants until April 2018. Existing members have the option to remain in their existing scheme or change over to Tax-Free childcare as their child becomes eligible. It is not possible to benefit from tax-free childcare and employer supported childcare at the same time.
A calculator for parents comparing the options and guidance on the other government provided free childcare available are available on GOV.UK.
P11D deadline approaching
The forms P11D which report details of benefits and some expenses provided to employees and directors for the year ended 5 April 2017, are due for submission to HMRC by 6 July 2017. The process of gathering the necessary information can take some time, so it is important that this process is not left to the last minute.
Employees pay tax on benefits provided as shown on the P11D, generally via a PAYE coding notice adjustment or through the self assessment system. Significant changes were introduced to the rules for reporting expenses from 6 April 2016.
Some employers payrolled the benefits and in this case the benefits do not need to be reported on forms P11D but employers should advise employees of the amount of benefits payrolled.
In addition, regardless of whether the benefits are being reported via P11D or payrolled the employer has to pay Class 1A National Insurance Contributions at 13.8% on the provision of most benefits. The calculation of this liability is detailed on the P11D(b) form. The deadline for payment of the Class 1A NIC is 19th July (or 22nd for cleared electronic payment). As 22nd July is a Saturday it may be appropriate to ensure cleared payment is made by Friday 21st July unless you can arrange for faster payment.
HMRC produce an expenses and benefits toolkit. The toolkit consists of a checklist which may be used by advisers or employers to check they are completing the forms correctly.
If you would like any help with the completion of the forms or the calculation of the associated Class 1A NIC please get in touch.
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 June 2017. The guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car.
The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 June 2017 are:
| Engine size | Petrol |
|---|---|
| 1400cc or less | 11p |
| 1401cc – 2000cc | 14p |
| Over 2000cc | 21p |
| Engine size | LPG |
|---|---|
| 1400cc or less | 7p |
| 1401cc – 2000cc | 9p |
| Over 2000cc | 14p |
| Engine size | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 1600cc or less | 9p |
| 1601cc – 2000cc | 11p |
| Over 2000cc | 13p |
The guidance states that the rates only apply when you either:
- reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars
- require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel
You must not use these rates in any other circumstances.
If you would like to discuss your car policy, please contact us.
AutoEnrollment – name and shame those who fail to comply
The latest Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin from The Pensions Regulator (TPR) makes interesting reading as it sets out cases and the powers TPR have used relating to automatic enrolment and associated employer duties.
TPR are warning employers that ignoring TPR penalties could seriously damage a business’ reputation.
TPR are maintaining a tough approach towards those employers who try to get away with not giving their staff the pension that they are due. The latest development is to publish details of those who have paid their Escalating Penalty Notice (EPN) but remain non-compliant. We will also publish the details of those who failed to pay their EPN, and as a result have been made subject to a court order.
The details published will include the employer’s name, the penalty amount, and the first part of their postcode.