In the last couple of months HMRC have published a number of new tools and pieces of guidance which may be of interest to both employers and their employees.

Check your tax code tool

Often when an employee receives a new tax code, their first port of call to understand any changes from previous codes will be their employer. However, the employer won’t always have an answer, which can cause frustration.

If this happens, you may wish to point employees towards HMRC’s new online interactive tool Get help understanding your tax code.

This tool will ask the employee a series of questions which should help them understand the reasons for any change and what their next steps are.

Get employment details on the HMRC app

Did you know that HMRC have their own app?

The app, which is available on both Apple and Android, has a number of features and has recently been updated to make it easier for individuals to access their employment history.

Users of the updated app can use it to check their:

• Employment history and income for the last five years
• National Insurance number
• Tax code

HMRC have produced a YouTube video showing how to access this information via the app which you can share with employees. Alternatively, the same information can be accessed via their personal tax account (PTA).

It may also be helpful to flag the ability to access this information within the app or PTA to new recruits where you are checking employment details. Going this route will save them the time and hassle of having to call HMRC and wait to receive the information by post. 

Tax reliefs guidance

A new HMRC guide to Tax reliefs and allowances for businesses, employers and the self-employed was launched at the end of October.

This pulls together short descriptions of various tax reliefs available to employers and businesses, together with links to more detailed guidance.  Areas highlighted for employers include the Employment Allowance, support for hiring apprentices and veterans and expenses and benefits.

There are also links to further guidance on areas such as appointing an agent and what to do if you are having difficulty paying a tax bill.