Sep 2012

18

National Minimum Wage increases from 01st October 2012

 

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced that the rates of national minimum wage applicable to pay reference periods starting on or after 1 October 2012 will be as follows:

  • the main adult rate (for workers 21 and over) will increase by 11p to £6.19 an hour (currently £6.08 an hour
  • the rate for 18-20 year olds will remain at £4.98 an hour
  • the rate for 16-17 year olds will remain at £3.68 an hour
  • the rate for apprentices will increase by 5p to £2.65 an hour (currently £2.60 an hour).

From the same date, the daily accommodation offset rate will increase from the current £4.73 to £4.82.

Bright Contracts – Employment contracts and handbooks.
BrightPay – Payroll & Auto Enrolment Software

Posted byKaren McDarbyinPayroll


Sep 2012

11

Thousands of higher rate taxpayers to receive warning letters from HMRC this month.

Thousands of higher rate taxpayers who have failed to submit tax returns will receive letters from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) this month, reminding them that they have only one month left to take up a special opportunity being offered by the tax authority.

The Tax Return Initiative is aimed at people liable to pay tax at rates of 40 per cent and above and who have been told to submit a Self Assessment tax return for 2009/10 or earlier, but have not done so. The campaign is also available to anyone who has tax returns to submit for these years.

People have until 2 October to tell HMRC they want to take part, submit completed returns, and pay the tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) that they owe. By coming forward voluntarily through the campaign, launched on 3 July, people will receive better terms, and any penalty they pay will be lower than if HMRC comes to them first.

After 2 October, if they have not submitted their tax returns and paid what they owe, HMRC will use its legal powers to pursue outstanding returns and any unpaid tax and NICs. Penalties of up to 100 per cent of the tax due, or even criminal investigation, could follow.

Bright Contracts – Employment contracts and handbooks.
BrightPay – Payroll & Auto Enrolment Software.

Posted byPaul ByrneinHMRCPAYE