If you employ one or more people for paid work, it’s essential that you have a properly managed payroll.
Representing a significant cost to businesses and of high importance to employees, labour costs must be managed correctly – which includes paying the right amount of tax on wages.
Payroll tax obligations do not only include deductions from an employee’s salary – they also include the employer’s tax responsibilities.
Efficiently handling these obligations is crucial for maintaining compliance with tax laws and ensuring the financial health of your business.
What do I need to pay?
Payroll taxes typically consist of a number of payments which a business must make to the Government directly, some of which will be deducted from an employee’s earnings. Others will be deducted from profits directly.
These may include:
You should also be aware of any changes in rates of pay internally and at national level.
For example, the rise of the National Living Wage to £11.44 per hour, and its extension to 21 and 22-year-olds for the first time, will raise earnings and tax obligations for many workers.
In turn, employers will need to reflect this change in their payroll and calculate new tax and NIC liabilities – which has also recently been reduced.
The complexity of payroll taxes
One of the major challenges faced by SMEs with employees is the complexity of payroll and associated tax obligations.
Tax regulations can be intricate and are often subject to change, which means staying updated is crucial.
Each employee’s situation might be different – varying tax codes, different entitlements or deductions – and each of these variables can change the amount of tax that needs to be withheld and paid.
Additionally, errors in calculating payroll taxes can be costly, particularly when it comes down to changes in pay or tax regulations and rates.
They can lead to penalties from HMRC as well as the costs of rectifying the mistake.
There’s also the risk of underpaying or overpaying employees, which can affect morale and trust within your team.
How to manage payroll taxes
With the right approach, you can make managing your payroll while meeting your tax obligations straightforward and efficient. Here’s how:
Payroll becoming taxing? We can help.
For small businesses and those without an in-house finance team, seeking support with payroll is essential to avoid non-compliance with tax obligations.
To optimise your payroll tax deductions, speak to our experts to find out how we can make staff costs, payslips, incentive schemes and bonuses a breeze.
Get in touch with us today to take your payroll up a notch.
Jim Botton – Pleasure Beach (Skegness)