Month: April 2019

DMS Posts

Advisory Fuel Rates from 1 March 2019

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The advisory fuel rates are changing from the 1st March 2019.

These rates apply to employees who claim back fuel expenses when using a company car.

The previous rates can be used for up to 1 month from the date the new rates apply.

Engine sizePetrol – amount per mileLPG – amount per mile
1400cc or less11 pence7 pence
1401cc – 2000cc14 pence8 pence
Over 2000cc21 pence13 pence
Engine sizeDiesel – amount per mile
1600cc or less10 pence
1601cc – 2000cc11 pence
Over 2000cc13 pence

Hybrid cars are treated as either petrol or diesel cars for this purpose.

Advisory Electricity Rate
The Advisory Electricity Rate for fully electric cars is 4 pence per mile.
Electricity is not a fuel for car fuel benefit purposes.

DMS Posts

Loans to employees

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A reminder that if your business makes a loan to your employees or their relatives this can create tax problems for both employees and employers.

And please don’t forget that the term “employee” includes directors, and also that loans to family members may be caught. 

For example, the employer will have an obligation to report a beneficial loan to HMRC (and pay Class 1A NIC) and the deemed benefit would be a taxable benefit in kind for the relevant employee.

A beneficial loan is one that is interest free or the rate charged is below the “official rate” and the benefit is the difference between these interest rate charges. 

Fortunately, not all loans create a tax problem, certain loans are exempt from this reporting obligation. These could include loans employers provided:
•    in the normal course of a domestic or family relationship as an individual (not as a company you control, even if you are the sole owner and employee),
•    with a combined outstanding balance due from an employee of less than £10,000 throughout the whole tax year,
•    to an employee for a fixed and never changing period, and at a fixed and constant rate that was equal to or higher than HMRC’s official interest rate when the loan was taken out – the official rate for 2018-19 is 2.5%,
•    under identical terms and conditions as those provided to the public (this mostly applies to commercial lenders),
•    that are ‘qualifying loans’, meaning all the interest charged to the loan account qualifies for tax relief.
Loans written off also create a National Insurance Class 1 charge for the employee.

They must be reported on a P11D and the employer has an obligation to deduct and pay Class 1 NIC from the employee’s salary, on the amount written off for tax purposes.

Calculating the taxable benefits for chargeable loans can be somewhat complex and readers are advised to take advice if they are unsure of their tax and NIC responsibilities. 

DMS Posts

Changes to income tax for 2019/20

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The new tax year brings changes to income tax bands and allowances.

The personal allowance is £11,850 for 2018/19 and increases to £12,500 for 2019/20. There is a reduction in the personal allowance for those with ‘adjusted net income’ over £100,000. The reduction is £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000. So for 2018/19 there is no personal allowance where adjusted net income exceeds £123,700. For 2019/20 there is no personal allowance available where adjusted net income exceeds £125,000.

The marriage allowance permits certain couples, where neither pays tax at more than the basic rate, to transfer 10% of their personal allowance to their spouse or civil partner.

The basic rate of tax is 20%. In 2018/19 the band of income taxable at this rate is £34,500 so that the threshold at which the 40% band applies is £46,350 for those who are entitled to the full personal allowance. In 2019/20 the basic rate band increases to £37,500 so that the threshold at which the 40% band applies is £50,000 for those who are entitled to the full personal allowance.

Individuals pay tax at 45% on their income over £150,000.

DMS Posts, PAYE, Tax

Reporting Benefits in Kind – Forms P11D

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The forms P11D which report details of benefits and some expenses provided to employees and directors for the year ended 5 April 2019, are due for submission to HMRC by 6 July 2019. 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. Some employers ‘payroll’ 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 2019 (or 22nd for cleared electronic payment).

HMRC has produced 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.