Nov 2014
25
Irish Employer’s Responsibilities - Payment of Wages Act
The Payment of Wages Act 1991 gives all employees the right to a payslip which shows the gross wages and the details of all deductions. A payslip is essentially a statement in writing from the employer to the employee that outlines the total pay before tax and the details of any deductions from pay. Payslips can be provided in electronic/hard copy format.
Deductions from employees’ pay are allowed when:
• It is required by law i.e. Income Tax, Universal Social Charge (USC) & PRSI
• Provided for in the contract of employment e.g. pension contributions
• Employee has given written consent e.g. trade union subscriptions
• They are to recover an overpayment of wages or expenses
• They are required by a court order e.g. attachment of earnings order
• They arise due to employee being on strike
Where a loss is suffered e.g. employee breakages, till shortages deduction is only allowed where:
• It is allowed for in the employee’s contract of employment
• It is fair and reasonable
• Employee has received written notice
• The amount of the deduction does not exceed the loss or the cost of the service
• The deduction takes place within 6 months of the loss/cost occurring
Failure to pay all or part of the wages due to an employee is considered to be an unlawful deduction and a complaint can be made under the Payment of Wages Act 1991.
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Nov 2014
9
New strategic state bank to help fund SMEs
The new Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), a multi-funded strategic bank, was launched by the government on Friday. The aim of the state-backed scheme is to make lending available to small and medium sized businesses.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin launched the scheme in a ceremony in Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park, Dublin. German finance minister and the head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) were also in attendance.
The new SBCI will make an initial €800 million available for SMEs to borrow money at more favourable terms, allow for longer term loans, and to support expansion and job creation. Mr Noonan said “we have big plans for the SBCI and it will be a key source of funding for years to come”.
Initially the SBCI will be jointly funded by €150m from German Bank KFW, €400m from the European Investment Bank (EIB), and €240 from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
The scheme is designed to help restart lending to SMEs and could facilitate up to €5 billion in lending to the SME sector over 5 years. Taoiseach Endy Kenny said “it will finance SMEs in first instance but can grow to finance other key sectors of the economy.”
Ireland’s SME sector has suffered a squeeze on credit and investment. SMEs can begin accessing the loan scheme from December this year and it will be administered by AIB and Bank of Ireland.
German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble said “I am confident the SBCI will help improve the economic situation and labour market in Ireland and contribute to Europe.” EIB president Werner Hoyer said the scheme could be a model for other European countries.
Nov 2014
5
Local Property Tax 2015 - Ireland
The third year of LPT is fast approaching!!! Revenue will be writing to the majority of homeowners shortly, the letters will give homeowners the opportunity to decide how and when they would like to pay their LPT. The letter will include the Property ID and PIN and will also confirm the amount due for 2015. If you wish to avail of a phased payment option such as Direct Debit/Deduction at Source you should confirm your payment method by the 25th November 2014 to allow sufficient time for the payment method to be in place for the beginning of the year.
Revenue will not be writing to homeowners already paying LPT through deduction at source or by direct debit instead their payment method will continue in 2015.
A number of Local Authorities have reduced the rate of LPT for 2015; Revenue will automatically make those deductions. Homeowners can confirm the amount of LPT due for 2015 on their property by accessing their LPT record online using their PPS Number, Property ID and PIN.
Key Dates for 2015:
• 7th January 2015 – Deadline for paying in full by cash, cheque, postal order, credit card or debit card
• January 2015 – Phased payments by Deduction at Source and regular cash payments through a Payment Service Provider to commence in January
• 15th January 2015 – Monthly Direct Debit payments commence and will continue on the 15th of each month thereafter
• 21st March 2015 – Single Debit Authority payment deducted
If you are the liable person for the residential property on 1st November 2014 you have to pay LPT for 2015 even if it is sold before the end of 2014.
Full details can be found on Revenue’s website www.revenue.ie
