Jul 2021
14
PAYE Modernisation – 2 years on
The new Irish PAYE system, PAYE Modernisation is now over two and a half years old. Where has the time gone? It feels like only a few short months ago that the deadline was fast approaching. It first launched on the 1st of January 2019 with the goal of delivering Real Time Reporting (RTR) in payroll and putting a bigger focus on payroll compliance for all businesses. The change was well overdue as the Irish PAYE system had no major alterations since 1960 when it was first introduced. So, with that in mind, let's look back on the impact PAYE Modernisation has had over the past two years.
The key changes
All of the ‘P Forms’ - P30s, P35s, P60s, P45s and P46s - were abolished. These forms were previously used when an employee left a job (P45) and given a yearly statement by the employer of each employee’s annual pay and deductions (P60). They were replaced by real time submissions to Revenue. In most cases, this means a file will be submitted either weekly or monthly to Revenue by the employer or payroll processor.
The retrieval of tax credits also changed, with the introduction of Revenue Payroll Notifications (RPNs). Employers must use the most up to date RPN when calculating employees’ pay and deductions each pay period which will update any changes to an employee’s tax credit or cut-off points. This process is made easier when completed through payroll software. Revenue’s annual report released in April 2021, stated that in 2020, there were 8 million Revenue Payroll Notifications (RPNs) requested and 6.1 million successful payroll submissions.
The benefits
PAYE Modernisation has improved the accuracy and transparency of the PAYE system. It has benefited employees, employers and Revenue. Submitting information in real-time reduces tax underpayments and overpayments for employees, reduces admin work for employers and ensures that Revenue systems are accurate and up to date at all times.
Did PAYE Modernisation affect employees?
Since the introduction of PAYE Modernisation, employees can log in to Revenue (MyAccount) and view what has been submitted in relation to them by their employer. Employees can allocate their credits and cut-offs between multiple employments themselves. At the end of each year, they can view their Employment Detail Summary (formerly P60) which is automatically available to employees in January each year.
Payroll software that caters for PAYE Modernisation
BrightPay is at the forefront when it comes to PAYE Modernisation compliant payroll software. BrightPay works directly with Revenue to ensure our payroll software is fully PAYE Modernisation compliant. BrightPay ensures that the correct payroll files are produced and seamlessly submitted to Revenue. The Revenue Commissioners are strongly recommending that businesses ensure that they are using software that caters for the requirements of PAYE Modernisation. Visit BrightPay’s FAQ section where the most common questions relating to PAYE Modernisation are answered.
Discover more
Book a free 15-minute online demo of BrightPay and find out how the PAYE Modernisation process is made easier when completed through payroll software.
Related articles:
- Common questions – PAYE Modernisation
- Manually calculating PAYE Modernisation
- Automatic enrolment delayed until at least 2023
