Crystal Blog

What Schools Need to Know Payroll compliance in the education sector is a critical responsibility for schools, colleges, and universities. Ensuring that staff are paid correctly, on time, and in accordance with tax laws and employment regulations is essential for financial stability and legal adherence. However, the complexity of payroll legislation and sector-specific challenges make […]

Payroll fraud is a significant risk for businesses of all sizes, potentially leading to financial losses, legal consequences, and reputational damage. Fraudulent activities, such as ghost employees, timesheet manipulation, and unauthorised changes to payroll data, can go unnoticed without proper safeguards in place. Ensuring payroll security not only protects company assets but also maintains employee […]

Many employers whether large or small are concerned with rising employment costs and are looking for ways to legally reduce their Employer National Insurance Costs (NICs) without impacting employee pay. The good news is that there are several government-backed schemes and payroll strategies that can help businesses cut NIC expenses while remaining fully compliant. In […]

As an employer, ensuring your workforce has the legal right to work in the UK is a non-negotiable responsibility. With the UK government’s Right to Work share code system, verifying an individual’s eligibility has never been easier. This guide walks you through what you need to know about using share codes and staying compliant. What […]

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) can feel like a complex process for employers, but with the right steps in place, you can handle it confidently while supporting your employees. This guide will break down everything you need to know, from understanding SPL to managing requests and ensuring compliance, all in a simple, actionable format. What is […]

With rising NI costs, UK employers are increasingly adopting salary sacrifice pension schemes to reduce their NI contributions while enhancing employee benefits. This guide provides a look at how salary sacrifice works, tax implications, and an example to illustrate potential savings for employers and employees. What is Salary Sacrifice? In short, it's and arrangement whereby […]

If you’re married or in a civil partnership, you might be able to transfer part of your tax-free Personal Allowance to your partner, reducing your tax bill, also known as the Marriage Allowance, this simple move can help you keep more money in your pocket, saving up to £252 a year. What Is the Marriage […]

If you’re a business owner, the UK Autumn Budget 2024 brings some essential updates that impact payroll, HR, and training costs. This isn’t just another policy update; it’s a chance to understand what these changes mean for your business, your budget, and your day-to-day operations. We’ll go through each update with clear examples and practical […]

As a UK employer, it’s crucial to ensure all your employees have the legal right to work in the UK. The law requires you to conduct right-to-work checks before hiring staff. Failing to follow these rules could result in penalties of up to £20,000 per worker. With recent changes in the Workers' Rights Bill, right-to-work […]

The 2024 Employment Rights Bill proposes important changes that UK employers need to prepare for. While this Bill is not yet law, it is expected to be enacted within the next 12-18 months. We hope you find this guide helpful and that it explains the key updates and what actions you should take now to […]

Introduction Paying HMRC on time and accurately is critical for every business, whether you’re a small company or managing a larger workforce. In 2024, there are more ways to pay HMRC than ever which are quick and securely, but choosing the wrong payment method or making mistakes can lead to delays, misdirected payments, and costly […]

Introduction Managing business expenses efficiently is key to maintaining compliance with HMRC regulations while also optimizing cash flow. In this guide, we’ll break down allowable business expenses, how to report them, and how to integrate expense management into your payroll system. We’ll also discuss essential compliance steps for P11d reporting, payroll integration, and audit readiness […]