Despite the Coronavirus lockdowns, HMRC still expects P11D forms reporting expenses and benefits to be submitted by the normal 6 July deadline. Employers need to submit a P11D form to HMRC for each employee you’ve provided with expenses or benefits.
Employers also need to submit a P11D(b) form if:
- You have submitted any P11D forms
- You have paid employees’ expenses or benefits through your payroll
- HMRC have asked you to – either by sending you a form or an email
Form P11D(b) tells HMRC how much Class 1A National Insurance (at 13.8%) you need to pay on all the expenses and benefits you’ve provided. The National Insurance on benefits is due by 19 July.
If HMRC has asked you to submit a P11D(b), you can tell them you do not owe Class 1A National Insurance by completing a declaration.
Remember that reimbursed expenses no longer need to be reported where they are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the employee’s duties. Dispensations from reporting are no longer required, although HMRC would expect internal controls to be in place.
Note also that trivial benefits of no more than £50 provided to employees need not be reported. This typically covers gifts to employees at Christmas and on their birthdays.
Paying tax on benefits through your payroll
Employers can deduct and pay tax on most employee expenses through your payroll (sometimes called ‘payrolling’) as long as you have registered with HMRC before the start of the tax year (6 April).
This can be particularly beneficial in the first year that a company car is provided to an employee as it means that they won’t get a big tax bill at the end of the year.
Employers do not need to submit a P11D form for an employee if you’re paying tax on all their benefits through your payroll. However, they still need to submit a P11D(b) form so they can pay any Class 1A National Insurance they owe.
For further information or to discuss how we can help you effectively structure your business for tax and save you money, contact your usual Beavis Morgan partner or email info@beavismorgan.com.