For the first time ever, you can now PURCHASE your very own copy of
"A Complete Introduction to Irish Payroll Practice" completely updated for Tax Year 2010.
*Please note: this is a digital download product only!
Visit http://www.cops.ie/elearning.html for details, ONLY 200 Copies available!!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Unpaid Leave: Tax Implications
If you worked fewer days or you stopped working during the year you may have paid too much tax. If you think that you have overpaid tax in the year you can request a PAYE Balancing Statement (P21) for the year from Revenue. Your P21 gives details of your total income, tax credits and PAYE tax paid for the tax year. It also shows whether you have overpaid or underpaid tax for the year. If you have overpaid tax, a cheque for the amount overpaid will be attached. If you have underpaid tax your district office will indicate if, and how the underpayment will be collected - usually by reduction of your tax credits for a subsequent tax year.
Keepingyourhome.ie
Keepingyourhome.ie is provided by the Citizens Information Board and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). Keepingyourhome.ie aims to provide comprehensive information on the services and entitlements available if you are having difficulties paying your rent or making your mortgage repayments.
Visit www.keepingyourhome.ie for details
Visit www.keepingyourhome.ie for details
Work Placement Programme, What is it?
The FÁS Work Placement Programme provides nine months’ work experience for unemployed people and graduates. There are two streams: Stream 1 provides 1,000 places for graduates and Stream 2 provides 1,000 places for unemployed people (with 250 of these places reserved for people under 34). Placements are allocated to each FÁS region according to the number of people on the Live Register in that region. Placements are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
You can register with FÁS at any local FÁS Employment Service Office or Local Employment Service Office (LES).
You can register with FÁS at any local FÁS Employment Service Office or Local Employment Service Office (LES).
Eighteen firms shut for each day of Cowen reign!!
The devastating impact of the recession on the private sector is revealed today as 127 companies a week or 12,049 in total have been forced to close, since Brian Cowen has become Taoiseach. Shocking new figures from the Revenue Commissioners reveal that since 2008, 12,049 firms and 40,758 individuals have officially ceased trading.
That works out as 127 company closures a week for each of the 95 weeks Mr Cowen has been Taoiseach or 18 a day, far higher than all previous estimates. In addition to those closing, 429 individuals a week have ceased trading since 2008 or 61 a day in the last two years.
That works out as 127 company closures a week for each of the 95 weeks Mr Cowen has been Taoiseach or 18 a day, far higher than all previous estimates. In addition to those closing, 429 individuals a week have ceased trading since 2008 or 61 a day in the last two years.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tax Refunds if Unemployed?
Jobseekers Benefit is a taxable source of income. However, any child dependent element and the first €13 per week of benefit are exempt from tax. When you make a claim for a tax refund the taxable portion of the Jobseekers Benefit will be added to your pay and the appropriate refund, if any, will be made. You should note that if the weekly amount of your Jobseekers Benefit exceeds your weekly tax credit you will not be entitled to a refund.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tax Refunds!
Tax Refunds if you are Unemployed or out of work sick?
The amount of tax refund will depend on:
If you are out of work sick, when you return to work your employer usually refunds your tax in your first weeks wages. If you think you may be due a tax refund contact your local district tax office.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
The amount of tax refund will depend on:
- The length of time you have been unemployed
- The amount of tax you have paid
- The amount of tax credits you have used
- The amount of your weekly social welfare payment
- How your tax refund is paid
If you are out of work sick, when you return to work your employer usually refunds your tax in your first weeks wages. If you think you may be due a tax refund contact your local district tax office.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Revenue Audits!!!
The function of the Auditor is to:
Audit the returns for the years/periods or transactions indicated in the audit notice (normally a current year/period is indicated) Make any necessary adjustments Settle and collect the additional liability, if any, and Specify the remedial actions required to put the tax affairs of the person audited on a sound footing going forward.
The Auditor focuses primarily on year(s)/period(s) or transactions indicated in the audit notice.
Audit the returns for the years/periods or transactions indicated in the audit notice (normally a current year/period is indicated) Make any necessary adjustments Settle and collect the additional liability, if any, and Specify the remedial actions required to put the tax affairs of the person audited on a sound footing going forward.
The Auditor focuses primarily on year(s)/period(s) or transactions indicated in the audit notice.
Enterprise Boards - Training
Each County Enterprise Board runs a schedule of programmes to assist entrepreneurs to be successful in business. Individual County Enterprise Boards recognise that access to professional business training and advice can be difficult and expensive for small businesses. They therefore provide specially designed courses and workshops in Business and Management skills at a subsidised rate.
Although the following list does not relate specifically to any County Enterprise Board, it does provide a flavour of the topics covered. For a list of the training courses available in your area please contact your local county enterprise board.
The range of skills and knowledge needed by aspiring entrepreneurs can be extremely daunting as they try to get started in business. For further details contact your local enterprise board or visit www.enterpriseboards.ie
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/payroll-training.html
Although the following list does not relate specifically to any County Enterprise Board, it does provide a flavour of the topics covered. For a list of the training courses available in your area please contact your local county enterprise board.
- Start Your Own Business
- Developing a Business Plan
- Book-keeping
- Taxation for the Self-Employed
- Management Development
- Practical Employment Law
- Equality Issues
- Computer training
- Health & Safety
- Safe Lifting / Manual Handling
The range of skills and knowledge needed by aspiring entrepreneurs can be extremely daunting as they try to get started in business. For further details contact your local enterprise board or visit www.enterpriseboards.ie
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/payroll-training.html
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Holiday Entitlements, Did you Know?
Ever wonder how your Holiday entitlements are calculated?
- Four working weeks, where the employee has worked a minimum of 1,365 hours
- One-third of a working week, where the employee has worked a minimum of 117 hours in the month
- Eight percent of hours worked, where an employee has worked less than 117 hours in a month, subject to a maximum of four working weeks holidays in a year.
- Where an employee is entitled to calculate holidays on more than one of the bases above, the one that gives the greatest entitlement shall apply, subject to an overall maximum of four working weeks holidays in a year.
- A day of sickness during holidays, which is covered by a medical certificate, is not counted as annual leave.
- It is illegal to pay an allowance in lieu of the minimum statutory holiday entitlement of an employee unless the employment relationship is terminated.
- Strictly, the holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March, but any consistent 12-month period may be used by agreement.
- Full-time employees benefit immediately from a public holiday. Part-time employees must have worked 40 hours over a five-week period ending immediately before the public holiday to qualify.
- There are nine public holidays in the year: 1 January; 17 March, St Patrick's Day; Easter Monday, the first Mondays in May, June, August; the alst Monday in October; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, St Stephen's Day.
- A paid day off on that day (default)
- A paid day off within a month of the day
- An additional day of annual leave
- An additional day's pay.
Voluntary Work, Did you Know?
Did you know that you can do voluntary work while receiving a jobseeker's payment?
Many people who receive either Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance are involved with community or voluntary groups.
Examples of voluntary work you can do while receiving a jobseeker's payment from Social Welfare include helping the sick, helping older people or people with a disability or assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations or local resident associations.
To get involved in volunteering, you should request an application form VW1 from your Social Welfare Local Office.
Many people who receive either Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance are involved with community or voluntary groups.
Examples of voluntary work you can do while receiving a jobseeker's payment from Social Welfare include helping the sick, helping older people or people with a disability or assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations or local resident associations.
To get involved in volunteering, you should request an application form VW1 from your Social Welfare Local Office.
Redundancy, Did you know?
To be eligible for a redundancy payment under the Acts, you must satisfy the following requirements:
-You must be aged 16 or over. (Since 8 May 2007 there is no upper age limit of 66.)
-You must be in employment that is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full-time employees must be paying Class A PRSI. (This insurability requirement does not apply to part-time workers)
-You must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 104 weeks over the age of 16.
-You must be aged 16 or over. (Since 8 May 2007 there is no upper age limit of 66.)
-You must be in employment that is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full-time employees must be paying Class A PRSI. (This insurability requirement does not apply to part-time workers)
-You must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 104 weeks over the age of 16.
Reducing Working Hours?
If your employer asks you to work fewer hours or take a pay cut, this is a change to your contract of employment. Any change to your contract of employment must be agreed by both you and your employer. When deciding whether or not to agree to working reduced hours or to a reduction in pay, there are a number of issues to be considered:
-Reduced pay – what are the implications of this – for example, your take home pay, pension contributions, Health Benefits, Benefits in Kind, Child Care etc
-Scheduling of working hours – it may suit you to reduce your hours, for example working a day less per week or 2 hours less each day.
You should ask your employer to give you written details of this proposed change to your contract of employment including a review date. You should respond to this in writing and if you are proposing to accept the change, you should stress that your acceptance is temporary. At the review date the change to your contract can be reconsidered and you could ask to return to the original terms and conditions of your contract.
One thing to remember is your entitlement to social welfare for days not worked. For example, If you are put on a three day week, providing you must have enough PRSI contributions, you would be entitled to claim Jobseekers allowance.
-Reduced pay – what are the implications of this – for example, your take home pay, pension contributions, Health Benefits, Benefits in Kind, Child Care etc
-Scheduling of working hours – it may suit you to reduce your hours, for example working a day less per week or 2 hours less each day.
You should ask your employer to give you written details of this proposed change to your contract of employment including a review date. You should respond to this in writing and if you are proposing to accept the change, you should stress that your acceptance is temporary. At the review date the change to your contract can be reconsidered and you could ask to return to the original terms and conditions of your contract.
One thing to remember is your entitlement to social welfare for days not worked. For example, If you are put on a three day week, providing you must have enough PRSI contributions, you would be entitled to claim Jobseekers allowance.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Enforcing your employment rights!
People working in Ireland have certain rights under employment law such as a minimum wage and annual leave. If you are not getting your rights or entitlements or if you lose your job and consider your dismissal was unfair, there are various organisations which can assist you to enforce your rights. Organisations involved in employment rights enforcement include the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), the Employment Appeals Tribunal, the Labour Relations Commission, the Rights Commissioner Service and the Equality Tribunal and the Labour Court.
Where you make a complaint to enforce one of your employment rights depends on the employment law it comes under. For example, your annual leave entitlement is set out under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Some employment legislation prohibits employers from victimising or penalising employees who try to enforce or are enforcing their rights given by the legislation. Victimisation could mean less favourable treatment or dismissal.
If you have a complaint about entitlements such as annual leave, public holidays, hours of work, maternity leave, carer’s leave, adoptive leave, parental leave, you should apply to the Rights Commissioner Service.
If you are claiming unfair dismissal you should apply to the Rights Commissioner Service if you and your employer agree. If either of you objects to a Rights Commissioner hearing you should apply to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
If there is a dispute about redundancy or if you do not get your minimum notice entitlement you may bring a claim to the Employment Appeals Tribunal
If you have a complaint about discrimination in employment you should apply to the Equality Tribunal on form EE.1
If you need information about employment law and your employment rights you should contact the NERA Information Service.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Where you make a complaint to enforce one of your employment rights depends on the employment law it comes under. For example, your annual leave entitlement is set out under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Some employment legislation prohibits employers from victimising or penalising employees who try to enforce or are enforcing their rights given by the legislation. Victimisation could mean less favourable treatment or dismissal.
If you have a complaint about entitlements such as annual leave, public holidays, hours of work, maternity leave, carer’s leave, adoptive leave, parental leave, you should apply to the Rights Commissioner Service.
If you are claiming unfair dismissal you should apply to the Rights Commissioner Service if you and your employer agree. If either of you objects to a Rights Commissioner hearing you should apply to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
If there is a dispute about redundancy or if you do not get your minimum notice entitlement you may bring a claim to the Employment Appeals Tribunal
If you have a complaint about discrimination in employment you should apply to the Equality Tribunal on form EE.1
If you need information about employment law and your employment rights you should contact the NERA Information Service.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance?
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme encourages people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. People taking part in the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years.
From 1 May 2009, the qualifying period required for BTWEA is reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseekers Allowance. A new Back to Work Allowance Scheme called the Short-term Enterprise Allowance started in May 2009.
You can avail of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance if you are:
Setting up as self-employed in a business that has been approved in advance in writing by a Job Facilitator or Partnership Company
And
Getting a Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months
Or
Unemployed for 2 years and getting Jobseeker's Benefit. However, if you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance and are unemployed for one year you can qualify for the allowance. If you don't have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance, you must have a combination of qualifying social welfare payments for 2 years. Signing on for unemployment credits following your Jobseeker's Benefit will not count towards the qualifying period. Contact your local Social welfare office for details.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
From 1 May 2009, the qualifying period required for BTWEA is reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseekers Allowance. A new Back to Work Allowance Scheme called the Short-term Enterprise Allowance started in May 2009.
You can avail of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance if you are:
Setting up as self-employed in a business that has been approved in advance in writing by a Job Facilitator or Partnership Company
And
Getting a Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months
Or
Unemployed for 2 years and getting Jobseeker's Benefit. However, if you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance and are unemployed for one year you can qualify for the allowance. If you don't have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance, you must have a combination of qualifying social welfare payments for 2 years. Signing on for unemployment credits following your Jobseeker's Benefit will not count towards the qualifying period. Contact your local Social welfare office for details.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
New Mandatory Pension
News Scource-RTE.IE: The Government is to introduce a new mandatory or 'auto-enrolment' pension scheme in four years' time as part of a major restructuring of pension provision in the State. Under the New National Pensions Framework, the state pension will remain the basis of the pension system in Ireland - with the Government undertaking to preserve its value at 35% of average earnings.
However, in future, workers aged over 22 earning above a certain income threshold will automatically be enrolled in a new supplementary pension scheme to provide additional retirement income. This will happen unless they are already in their employers' scheme which provides higher contribution levels or is a defined benefit scheme. Employees would contribute 4%, with the Government and the employer providing matching contributions of 2% each - making a total contribution of 8%. Workers may opt out of the supplementary scheme - but it remains mandatory for employers. You can Download the full Framework Document Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
However, in future, workers aged over 22 earning above a certain income threshold will automatically be enrolled in a new supplementary pension scheme to provide additional retirement income. This will happen unless they are already in their employers' scheme which provides higher contribution levels or is a defined benefit scheme. Employees would contribute 4%, with the Government and the employer providing matching contributions of 2% each - making a total contribution of 8%. Workers may opt out of the supplementary scheme - but it remains mandatory for employers. You can Download the full Framework Document Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Payroll Training Level 2
Our Next Level 2 Training Date is penciled in for Dublin, Gresham Hotel on March 31st, for all those on our waiting list for this course, please go to our website to register. There are only 8 places available so please book ASAP. Click Here for further details.
Live for Less Card
Are you in receipt of Social Welfare, Why not take advantage of the Live for less card and save, save, save! The Live4Less discount card is the first and only one of its kind in Ireland. It currently offers exclusive discounts and special offers to card holders in over 60 locations and is adding new offers every day.
The Live4Less card has been developed solely for people on the Live Register and those receiving a Social Welfare payments. The card costs only €10.
Visit their website @ http://www.live4less.ie
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
The Live4Less card has been developed solely for people on the Live Register and those receiving a Social Welfare payments. The card costs only €10.
Visit their website @ http://www.live4less.ie
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
Social Welfare Appeals
Have you lost your Social Welfare entitlements? Were you refused payments based on a means test?
You should visit the Social Welfare Appeals website @ www.socialwelfareappeals.ie. Here you will find details of how the appeals process works. The site also lists case studies in the following areas Unemployment, Sickness, Pensions, Family, Social Insurance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance etc. You should read all case studies that may apply to your own situation, these case studies do give you a better understanding of how and why Social Welfare payments may be refused. All appeals must be made with 21 days.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
You should visit the Social Welfare Appeals website @ www.socialwelfareappeals.ie. Here you will find details of how the appeals process works. The site also lists case studies in the following areas Unemployment, Sickness, Pensions, Family, Social Insurance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance etc. You should read all case studies that may apply to your own situation, these case studies do give you a better understanding of how and why Social Welfare payments may be refused. All appeals must be made with 21 days.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Minimum Wage Exemption
If an employer cannot afford to pay the national minimum wage due to financial difficulty the Labour Court may exempt an employer from paying the minimum wage rate for between 3 months and 1 year. Only 1 such exemption can be allowed. The employer must apply to the Labour Court for the exemption with the consent of a majority of the employees, who must also agree to be bound by the Labour Court decision.
The employer must demonstrate that he/she is unable to pay the national minimum wage and that, if compelled to do so, would have to lay-off employees or terminate their employment.
For full details on the Minimum wage, you can download the Minimum Wage Act by clicking Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
The employer must demonstrate that he/she is unable to pay the national minimum wage and that, if compelled to do so, would have to lay-off employees or terminate their employment.
For full details on the Minimum wage, you can download the Minimum Wage Act by clicking Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
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