HMRC tells workers to ‘check this week’ for | European Markets

HMRC has issued a call to younger staff, encouraging them to confirm this week if they’re eligible for over £2,000 of unclaimed funds. As half of Nationwide Apprenticeship Week (February 10 to 16, 2025), HM Income and Customs is offering key pay and tax advice to apprentices, whereas additionally reminding them about a probably ignored fund that would present an instant financial increase.

Marc Gill, HMRC’s director of people and small business compliance, mentioned: “We want to make sure that all workers are paid correctly for the hours they work. And we are reminding employers to follow their legal obligations to pay at least the National Minimum Wage when hiring an apprentice.

“You’ll be able to verify your pay is right through the online pay checking software. Simply search ‘Nationwide Minimal Wage’ on GOV.UK to seek out out more. You’ll be able to entry your Nationwide Insurance quantity whenever you need it and verify your pay on the HMRC app. Obtain it as we speak to verify the providers out there.”

HMRC advises staff to verify 4 issues

Nationwide Minimal Wage

Apprentices ought to guarantee they’re receiving the proper Nationwide Minimal Wage (NMW) primarily based on their age and yr of apprenticeship. Staff have a legal proper to not less than the NMW relying on their age and what yr of their apprenticeship they’re in:

16 to 18 years previous and in an apprenticeship: £6.40 per hour

19 and over, first-year apprentice: £6.40 per hour

19 years previous and over, who’ve accomplished the primary yr of an apprenticeship: Entitled to the Nationwide Minimal Wage or Nationwide Living Wage fee for his or her age.

Charges change on April 1 every year. Search ‘Nationwide Minimal Wage charges’ on GOV.UK and click on on HMRC’s NMW apprentice video for more info.

Nationwide Insurance quantity

HMRC points Nationwide Insurance (NI) numbers to children previous to their sixteenth birthday. It is essential for workers to offer their NI quantity to their employer to make sure correct recording of contributions and tax, in addition to to gain entry to pensions and advantages.

These with out an NI quantity can apply for one on the GOV.UK web site.

Youngster Belief Fund

Youngster Belief Funds (CTF) are tax-exempt financial savings accounts for youngsters born between September 1, 2002, and January 2, 2011, with an average worth of £2,212.

Upon turning 18, younger adults can withdraw any financial savings from their account. Extra info might be discovered on the GOV.UK web site underneath ‘discover a Youngster Belief Fund’.

HMRC app

The free and secure HMRC app permits customers to entry their personal tax info every time essential. Options embody viewing and downloading their NI quantity to their digital pockets, utilizing the tax calculator to estimate internet pay, checking employment historical past, State Pension forecasts and NI contributions.

In accordance with HMRC, common payroll errors made by employers embody failing to pay apprentices for coaching time, not paying for all hours labored, neglecting to raise the hourly fee following the annual increase or upon completion of the apprentice’s first yr. Errors may also happen if employers deduct prices for gadgets corresponding to uniforms, instruments or personal protecting tools required for the job, ensuing within the employee incomes much less than the minimal wage.

The public was additionally urged to be vigilant of scams promising tax rebates, alerting them to outdated tax particulars or intimidating them with threats of arrest for tax evasion. Recommendation on how to keep away from falling sufferer to HMRC scams might be discovered on the GOV.UK web site.