Payroll software from EARNIE - the payroll people

National Insurance FAQs

Why is my director not paying any NI?

Remember, if you flag someone as a director from the start of the tax year they will be subject to annual earnings limits. This means they will not pay any NI until they earn over the current Annual Earnings Threshold. Once they reach this they will pay NI on all of their NIable earnings until they reach the Annual Upper Earnings Limit.

From April 2003, Directors will also have to pay an extra % on earnings above the Upper Earnings Limit, whereas before contributions would stop at this point.


Will I be able to make my electronic payments to HMRC every month, using EARNIE?

No, this is not a payroll function. Making payments to HMRC is an accountancy function.


What are the changes to National Insurance Rates from April 2010?

  • An Employee's Class 1 rate Contribution on earnings between the Threshold and the UEL remains at 11%
  • The Employer's Class 1 rate Contribution on earnings above the Threshold and the UEL remains at 12.8%

What are the changes to National Insurance Earnings limits from
April 2010?

  • Lower Earnings Limit (weekly, monthly, annually) is raised from £95.00, £412.00, £4,940.00 to £97.00, £421.00, £5,044.00
  • Earnings Threshold (weekly, monthly, annually) remains at £110.00, £476.00, £5,715.00
  • Upper Accrual Point (weekly, monthly, annually) remains at £770.00, £3,337.00, £40, 040.00
  • Upper Earnings Limit (weekly, monthly, annually) remains at £844.00, £3,656.00, £43,875.00

What are the changes to Income Tax from April 2010?

Tax Code Changes

Suffix L codes are not changed, the default remains 647L.

Income Tax Changes

The basic and higher band tax rate remain the same: 

  • Basic Rate 20% from £1 to £37,400
  • Higher Rate 40% over £37,400

A new band has been introduced:

  • Additional rate 50% over £150,000

The income tax personal allowance remains the same at £6,475.

Income tax rates and bandwidths will be announced in the Budget in the usual way. 


Payments & Deductions - Can you explain the Apply Before Tax and
NI / After Tax and NI categories?

Apply before tax and NI calculation

The amount will be subject to both tax and NI if it is a payment. The amount will be exempt from both tax and NI if it is a deduction.

Apply after tax and NI calculation

The amount will be exempt from both tax and NI if it is a payment. The amount will be subject to both tax and NI if it is a deduction.

Apply after tax but before NI calculation

The amount will be exempt from tax but subject to NI if it is a payment. The amount will subject to tax but exempt from NI if it is a deduction.

Apply after NI but before tax calculation

The amount will be subject to tax but exempt from NI if it is a payment. The amount will be exempt from tax but subject to NI if it is a deduction.


What method of calculation do you use for NICs?

EARNIE uses the Exact Percentage method for calculating NICs.


How does EARNIE handle a monthly employee changing to a C rate
mid-month?

Following HMRC rules, the employee is entitled to the whole month at the exempt rate.

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