Archive:August 2023

Please find below all the articles from August 2023.

Introducing More HMRC Call Waiting Times

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

We have all had to call HMRC’s helplines at one time or another.
Although HMRC are moving to a ‘digital by default’ regime, sometimes there is the need to talk to a real person rather than trawl HMRC’s guidance or talk to an automated
chat facility or HMRC app.

It is useful to have an indication of the expected wait times, something that does exist on the PAYE Helpline (0300 200 3401) which can answer general queries about making payments.
The expected wait times are based on…

Obtaining the National Insurance Number

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

The National Insurance Number (NINO) is, perhaps, the most important number an individual will ever be allocated as it is used by many organisations for many different purposes.
It is extremely important that NI history is recorded against the NINO for entitlement to some State benefits, particularly State Pension

When it comes to payroll processing, the NINO is a vital piece of ‘matching data’ for HMRC.
Essentially, this unique number is used to match an employee in payroll software to an individual on HMRC’s system.
Where there is a…

Important Employment Law Changes

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

In July 2019, the UK Government’s‘
Good Work Plan: Proposals to support families’ looked at 3 areas:

Statutory Neonatal Leave and Pay

This was outlined in the Conservative Party Manifesto of 2019
with the commitment ‘We will legislate to allow parents to take extended leave for neonatal care’.
Via a Private Member’s Bill from Stuart C McDonald of the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023
does legislate for this to happen, possibly from April 2025.

Work-Life Balances and Flexible Working

The first part was…

Outstanding Post – HMRC Expands its Agent Team

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Agents tell us that getting a response from HMRC can be time-consuming. Indeed, this was expressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a
letter
from several accountancy bodies who, collectively, represent thousands of accountants. HMRC service levels result in frustration, not least cash-flow disruption.
The letter sought to raise the issue ahead of the Spring Budget 2023, indicating that this presented an opportunity to ‘invest in HMRC, with a focus on improving customer service and effectiveness’.

In May 2023, well after the Spring Budget, Victoria Atkins, Financial…