It could pay to get the details right.
Despite all of the tax administration changes which have come in (and are planned) – such as personal tax accounts and tax return pre-population measures – the old option of paying a self-assessment liability via the PAYE code still exists.
However, there have been a number of changes to the policy over recent years. This article sums up the key points and will help ensure you and your clients are fully aware of how it now works.
Recap
Essentials – the option can only be used if:
- the tax owed is less than £3,000
- the taxpayer already pays tax through PAYE, for example as an employee or in receipt of a company pension. (Note that the online tax return must have been submitted by 30 December and be very careful if the client’s tax return has not yet been submitted as the payment option is now not available.)
The amount of income received/PAYE paid is relevant to whether the option can be used. The PAYE code option can’t be used if:
- there is not enough PAYE income for HMRC to collect the tax owing
- using the option would mean that the taxpayer would pay more than 50% of their PAYE income in tax
- the taxpayer would end up paying more than twice as much tax as they normally do
- Class 2 NIC contributions can only be paid through the PAYE code if they were necessary starting before April 2015.
Useful links:
Self-assessment payment methods
ACCA’s self-assessment edition of In Practice (December 2017)
Article from ACCA In Practice