January 09, 2012
Employers struggling to get their PAYE information in order will get much needed help from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the New Year, the organisation has announced.
The Targeted Employer Support (TES) will be rolled out to approximately 1,000 employers identified by HMRC as having the most issues with “data quality”. Under the scheme, face-to-face visits which will be offered by HMRC to employers, in order to address specific problems.
Research shows that matching data sent by employers with HMRC’s records is a key issue for businesses in the UK, with the main errors reported:
National Insurance Number (incorrect or missing)
Date of Birth (incorrect or missing)
Name (incomplete, mis-spelt or even made up)
“We want to work in partnership with employers to improve data quality. There are wins for both parties from better data quality,” said HMRC’s Stephen Banyard, Acting Director General for Personal Tax.
“Pilot visits have shown that this face-to-face support can make a real difference to the quality of data we receive from employers and consequently will greatly assist the coming move to Real Time Information (RTI).
“Every year, employers send PAYE data to HMRC. While most is accurate, mistakes can be made. This can cause problems for employees such as wrong amounts being deducted from their pay. It can also use up valuable employer and HMRC time and money putting the error right.
Pilots of the scheme have been positive so far, and the HMRC claims it is “working hard to improve the communications and guidance” it provides on PAYE issues.
