Understanding PAYE, umbrella and limited company differences
When you register with Athona for locum, agency or temporary work, you’ll need to choose whether to become a Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Umbrella or Limited Company worker. It may seem complicated at first, but we’ve made things nice and simple.
Your Choices
Which one is best for me?
It’s up to you which option suits you best, but below are some pros and cons of each choice to help guide you:
PAYE
With PAYE, in effect, you will become an employee of Athona. This means our payroll department handles your taxation and NI contributions, as well as providing you with a payslip for your records.
What’s more, if you ever have any concerns regarding your work or pay, this can be handled under one roof – providing seamless continuity of our services. We also do not charge a fee and there’s minimal setup required.
Pros
- Athona will be your single point of contact
- No additional fees
- Tax & NI submissions to HMRC dealt with by Athona
- Work based pension options
Cons
- Not entitled to claim business expenses
- No opportunity for company withdrawals
Limited company
A limited company set up definitely offers a degree of freedom, and some benefits like being able to claim for expenses.
But at the same time, it’s your responsibility to both set up your company and maintain it. That comes with costs, and it takes time too.
*Depending on your contract, IR35 may apply to you. If IR35 does apply, Athona will be required to deduct the relevant tax and NI, and submit this to HMRC, on your behalf. Alternatively, if you are deemed to be working outside of IR35 you must handle your PAYE and NI yourself, rather than the body that is paying you.
Pros
- Control over self-payment and withdrawals
- Opportunity to use the flat rate VAT system (if certain criteria is met)
- Option to claim expenses
Cons
- Setup and admin charges apply
- IR35 legislation may apply*
- Responsibility for VAT & PAYE submissions to HMRC
- Personal financial information, as well as your name and address, will be publicly available from Companies House.
Umbrella company
Umbrella companies act as the employer for those hired by agencies and ensure your taxation and national insurance obligations are taken care of. Choosing this option would essentially make you an employee of the umbrella company.
Concerned about selecting an umbrella company that’s using a tax avoidance scheme? The government have released this guide to ensure you don’t get caught out.
Pros
- Your tax and NI will be organised for you
- No personal responsibility for accounting
- Full employment rights, including holiday allowances and sick pay
- Payslips are provided
Cons
- Inflexible pay date – this will depend on the umbrella company’s own policy
- Normally charges apply for their services
FAQ
We run two payrolls per week. Any timesheets received before 2pm on a Tuesday will be paid to you on the Friday of the same week. Any timesheets received before 2pm Thursday will be paid to you the following Tuesday. Please also ensure that all information is completed in a clear and precise manner on the timesheet, including correct start and end times, and that the timesheets have been authorised. Unsigned or illegible timesheets may cause delays to your payment.
If you are paid via an umbrella company, you will need to check with them directly regarding their payroll days.
If you have a P45 from a previous employer, please email this into your consultant and we can update the tax code from that. If you do not have a P45 you can complete a starter declaration found here.
This will enable us to submit your details to HMRC so they can sent us the correct tax code to use. If you are set up with an umbrella company, you will need to send these documents directly to them.
Holiday pay is calculated at 12.07% of your hourly rate. This amount is accrued by us until you request it to be paid.
If you are paid PAYE or Limited, you will receive your payslip from us each week on either a Wednesday or Friday depending on when we have processed your timesheet. If you are paid via an umbrella company, the umbrella company will send you a payslip. Please retain these for future use, however if you require further copies, please let your consultant know and we can arrange for these to be emailed to you.
Claims are calculated on a case by case basis depending on a number of factors. If you are PAYE, please contact the payroll team for more information on how to make a claim. If you are paid via an umbrella company, you will need to discuss any claims directly with them.
Please send your new bank details to your consultant so they can forward them on to the payroll team. Any bank details received before 5pm each Friday will be updated for any payments received the following week.
The upcoming May bank holiday payroll deadlines are as follows:
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY, 6TH MAY 2024
Timesheets for week ending 28th April 2024
First Payroll
Normal timesheet cut off will be 2pm Tuesday 30th April 2024
Payment to be received Friday 3rd May 2024*
Second Payroll
Earlier timesheet cut off will be 10am Thursday 2nd May 2024
Payment to be received Tuesday 7th May 2024*
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY, 27TH MAY 2024
Timesheets for week ending 19th May 2024
First Payroll
Normal timesheet cut off will be 2pm Tuesday 21st May 2024
Payment to be received Friday 24th May 2024*
Second Payroll
Earlier timesheet cut off will be 10am Thursday 23rd May 2024
Payment to be received Tuesday 28th May 2024*
*If you are paid via an umbrella company, you will need to contact them for their specific deadlines/pay dates
Get in touch today
To find out more or to discuss any of these options further, get in contact with your recruitment consultant today on 01277 217777.