If “complicated form names” was a category in the Guinness Book of World Records, HMRC would surely win. PAYE forms with titles such as P45, P60 and P11D, are especially puzzling although most people know the purpose of these forms is to inform HMRC everything they need to know about their income, expenses and benefits.
As the P11D deadline is just around the corner, in this article we will take a closer look at what it means, what’s on it, what has changed in 2016, when you file it and what happens if you don’t?
A quick note before we start; on HMRC’s website it mentions a form called the P11D(b). This is a form employers must submit summarising the individual P11D forms they have completed for their employees. See what we mean about puzzling form names!
What you need to know about form P11D
A P11D is a form employers use to report employee expenses and benefits for the previous tax year to HMRC.
Who needs to complete a P11D submission and what is reported?
Employers must submit a P11D for each employee or director who receives benefits in kind and earns £8,500 or more. Forms must also be submitted if directors own more than a 5% shareholding in the company.
Important: P11Ds are filed by the company/employer, not the employee. However, if you are a contractor or a freelancer, you may need to file one yourself.
Benefits in kind
Benefits in kind are items or services that employees receive (while performing their work duties) from the company in addition to any salary. Common examples of these are perks such as private healthcare, interest-free loans, or a company car. A form P11D allows employers to report these perks to HMRC. As such benefits effectively increase your salary, there may be NI Contributions to be paid on them. It’s important to note here that these contributions are paid by the employer, not the individual.
What needs to be reported?
For the most part, every perk you may have received from the business for 2014/15. Some examples of benefits in kind include:
- Company cars and fuel
- Private healthcare treatment or insurance
- Childcare vouchers
- Living accommodation
- Company credit cards
- Interest free and low interest loans
- Relocation expenses
How have the P11D forms changed in 2016?
When is the P11D deadline?
Forms P11D and P11D (b) must be filed by the 6th of July following the end of the tax year in question. For example: Your P11D for the tax year 2014/15 must be filed on 6 July 2016.
What are the late filing penalties for 2014/15?
If you issue your form P11Ds late, you can expect a penalty of £100 per 50 employees for each month, or part of the month. However, you won’t incur these penalties straight away. You have about 14 days to get things right. However, should July 19 (for postal payments) or July 22 (for electronic payments), come and go, your company will incur the fines mentioned above.
In addition, if you are required to pay Class 1A National Insurance Contributions (NICs), and if you are late paying this amount, HMRC would look to accrue interest on this amount as well.
Got questions? Ask Alan
