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Employment Tax & Reward Updates
Insights The Chancellor's Budget and Forecast Statements Autumn Budget 2021
Employment Tax & Reward Updates
Despite some predictions of changes to Employment Taxes, nothing new was announced in today's budget. Many of the key changes from an Employment Tax perspective were announced prior to the Budget.
Having said that, we set out some useful updates from the budget relating to National Minimum / Living Wage, The Health & Social Care Levy, and Company Car / Van benefit in kind tax rates:
National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage
As previously announced, NMW / NLW will increase from 1 April 2022. The increases are as follows:-
Changes to NLW – what does this mean for the Employer?
NLW increasing by 6.6%, represents a potential overall increase in Employer costs of 7.75% after taking into account the increases in NIC (the Health & Social Care Levy) from April 2022, Apprenticeship Levy, and Pension Contributions.
This is before even considering pay differentials and wage pressure for those earning above the NLW.
Changes to NLW – what does this mean for the Employee?
Taking into account the Personal Allowance freeze, Pension Contributions, and the increase in NIC (the Health & Social Care Levy) from April 2022, an increase in NLW of 6.6% potentially represents only a 4% increase in terms of net pay for the Employee. With the Chancellor announcing that inflation is expected to continue to rise, the increase may not be as significant as Employees may have thought. However, some workers may welcome the news of the tapering of Universal Credit reducing from 63% to 55% by 1 December 2021.
Key considerations:-
- How Employers can remain compliant with NMW / NLW
- How Employers reward Employees to manage & mitigate rising costs
- How Employers can maximise net pay for Employees by considering changes to reward packages that align with the Employers’ objectives
- Engaging off-payroll workers instead of Employees - IR35 Legislation requires consideration
Health & Social Care Levy – from April 2022
In September 2021, the Government announced an increase to National Insurance Contributions (“NIC”) of 1.25% for Employers, Employees, and the Self-Employed with effect from 6 April 2022. This is known as the Health & Social Care Levy (“HSCL”). From 6 April 2023, the HSCL will be identified separately and ring-fenced from the standard NIC.
For the 2022/23 tax year, Class 1 Primary, Class 1 Secondary, Class 1A, Class 1B and Class 4 NIC will increase by 1.25% to collect the HSCL.
For the 2023/24 tax year, Class 1 Primary, Class 1 Secondary, Class 1A, Class 1B and Class 4 NIC will decrease by 1.25% and the separately identifiable HSCL will apply. The HSCL is payable by Employers, Employees and the Self-Employed and will be charged at 1.25%. This levy will be deducted from pay in additional to Income Tax and NIC.
Further information can be found at:-
1) https://www.mazars.co.uk/Home/Insights/Autumn-Budget-2021/HSCL-changes-at-a-glance
2) https://www.mazars.co.uk/Home/Insights/Autumn-Budget-2021/HSCL-cffect-on-off-payroll-working
3) https://www.mazars.co.uk/Home/Insights/Autumn-Budget-2021/HSCL-impact-on-reward-strategies
Company Car Tax
As previously announced at the 2020 Budget, Company Car Tax rates already announced for 2022/23 will remain frozen until 2024/25. This announcement is welcome as it provides some comfort for those making decisions on vehicles now, helping ensure they won’t get a nasty tax surprise in a few years’ time.
For those Company Cars emitting high emissions, with rates for Electric cars staying low until at least 2024/25, Employers could consider offering more “green” cars to take advantage of the low rates of Company Car Tax. This could be achieved via salary sacrifice or reviewing reward strategy. We are aware of some employers utilising pool cars “for hire” to help workers who may now not need vehicles as much due to hybrid working/working at home.
Company Van Benefit in Kind charge
From 6 April 2022, the Company Van Benefit in Kind charge will increase in line with Consumer Price Index.
Company Car and Van Fuel Benefit in Kind charge
From 6 April 2022, the Company Car and Van Fuel Benefit in Kind charge will increase in line Consumer Price Index.
Get in touch
To find out how you or your organisation might be affected by the 2021 Autumn Budget please contact us.
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With much having been announced or shared in advance of the Chancellor rising to his feet, there were few elements left to surprise in what Rishi Sunak has labelled a Budget delivering a ‘Stronger Economy for the British People’.