Watson Knipe Blog

Managing payroll is one of the most critical yet complex tasks for any business. Whether you're a sole trader, a Limited Company, or a Partnership with employees, payroll is not just about paying staff.

HMRC has announced a significant step forward in its drive to modernise the UK tax system with the launch of a new online PAYE service.

From 6 April 2025, changes to the Employment Allowance (EA) and employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) will impact many UK businesses. These updates are designed to support smaller employers, but they come alongside an increase in the cost of employing staff. Here is what you need to know.

Jane Wilson plays a vital role at Watson Knipe Accountants, focusing on Payroll and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) services. With nearly two decades of payroll experience, she brings significant expertise from her previous role at a UK-based international company.

Employers use the P11D form to report details of expenses and benefits paid to employees or directors as part of their employment, which are not included in their wages or salaries and are not subject to PAYE tax deductions.

The government has accepted in full the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission and announced increased rates of the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) which will come into force from April 2024.

The Chancellor announced major changes to the National Insurance contributions (NICs) system at the Autumn Budget in November 2023.

We work with a variety of businesses from different sectors offering payroll services. Louise Warden is AAT qualified her main role is to support clients with payroll and auto-enrolment (workplace pensions). 

As an employer, it’s important to keep up to date with changes in employment tax. We offer a payroll service and always ensure that our clients are kept up to date with these changes so they remain compliant and it also helps them with financial planning.

In the Autumn Budget 2021, several changes were announced which would impact on businesses that have employees. We have written this article summarising some of the main changes that you need to be aware of if you are an employer.

If you are an employer, you may already know about National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage changes.  If not, then this article will be helpful for you.

When you started your business you probably wanted to remain as lean as possible. But as your business expands, wearing all hats may become impossible and you need a helping hand to grow and remain competitive.

Many businesses take on apprentices as they start to grow. An apprentice is a young person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer and has agreed to work for a defined period at a low wage.

Owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses must be champions in the art of multitasking, but they also need to cope with long hours of work and occupational stress.

The law on pensions has changed and even small businesses must now enrol employees in a workplace pension - a process known as 'auto-enrolment.

In 2016, it was announced that Class 2 NICs (National Insurance Contributions) would be abolished from April 2018. This was again mentioned in the Spring Budget 2017.  Class 2 NICs are paid by individuals that are self-employed.

In 2017 the Government sought views on how employers currently deal with employee expenses, current tax rules on employee expenses and the future of employee expenses. As a result of this survey, a number of changes were announced in the Autumn Budget 2017.

As an employer, it’s important to keep track of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage if you have staff that are being paid at this level.

If you employ people in your business, then it’s essential to keep up to date with the changes to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

In the Autumn Budget 2018, some updates were announced with regards to employment taxes. We have summarised some of the key points for employers in this article. The full Summary of the Autumn Budget 2018 can be found on our website.