New allowance will save businesses £2,000 per year

The Government’s recently introduced Employment Allowance is aimed at improving the growth prospects of companies by making it less costly to employ staff and Stephen Charles, tax partner with Sheffield-based independent chartered accountants and specialist business advisers Hawsons, of Glossop Road, says it will represent a £2,000 per year saving for qualifying employers.

He adds: “The new allowance means that companies will be entitled to a £2,000 reduction in their Employer National Insurance contributions each year and this will be of great help, particularly to smaller businesses who may be finding that employments costs are hindering their expansion.”

Generally, the allowance can be claimed by businesses or charities paying Employer Class 1 National Insurance contributions on their employees’ or directors’ earnings. It means that if a company’s contributions are less than £2,000 a year, they will pay no NI at all.

Stephen says: “The allowance is a real incentive for employers looking to take on more staff and improve their own prospects. And it means that the local economy will also benefit.”

Excluded from claiming the allowance are public authorities, businesses mainly carrying out functions of a public nature, such as NHS services, and anyone employing staff for personal household or domestic work.

Also, where companies belong to a group of companies or charities are part of a charities structure, only one company or charity can claim the allowance.

Stephen Charles is a tax partner at the firm, specialising in corporate and business taxation. For more details and advice, please contact Stephen on sac@hawsons.co.uk or 0114 266 7141.[/author_info]