Crystal Blog

So, you've reached that glorious milestone where your business is thriving, and you're thinking of hiring staff for the first time. First off—congratulations! Whether you're looking to grow or just want to have someone else help juggle all those spinning plates, hiring is both exciting and, well, a little scary. With a few key steps, […]

Are you wondering about the tax rates and thresholds for the 2024/25 tax year? This guide covers everything you need to know, including income tax rates, National Insurance contributions, National Minimum Wage, and statutory payments. Read on for detailed breakdowns and examples to help you understand the payroll regulations for 2024/25 Income Tax Rates (2024/25) […]

Let’s be real, “auto enrolment” might sound as fun as organizing your tax receipts, but here’s the good news: it’s actually simpler than you think! This quick overview will guide you through the essentials of auto enrolment, ensuring you’re compliant and your team’s future is secure. What Is Auto Enrolment? Auto enrolment is like a […]

We are proud to announce that Crystal HR & Payroll Ltd Sponsors Pelsall Villa Colts U11 Girls Football Team for their away kit. Competing in the Staffordshire Girls and Ladies League, the team is currently second in the league and poised to win the league at the end of the season. Sponsoring a football team […]

In recent years, there's been a sharp rise in HMRC telephone scams, with fraudsters impersonating HMRC. These HMRC scam calls often involve fake tax refunds or threats of legal action to trick individuals and businesses into sharing personal or financial information. It’s important to stay alert and know how to spot these scams to protect […]

Understanding whether a worker is employed or self-employed is a crucial task for businesses in the UK. Misclassifying a worker can lead to significant penalties from HMRC, along with back payments and potential legal action. The HMRC tool for checking if someone is employed or self-employed provides an easy way to clarify a worker’s status. […]

Auto enrolment remains a vital aspect of the UK’s workplace pension system, and with the changes introduced in 2024, it’s essential for employers to stay compliant. Whether you’re managing a large or small business, this guide walks you through the key updates, the benefits of payroll integration, and how to streamline your processes. What’s New […]

Introduction As your company grows, it’s essential to stay competitive with benefit packages while maintaining cost efficiencies. At Crystal, we wanted to dive into this in more detail and give you some practical ideas and tips for using salary sacrifice schemes, which offer a great opportunity to achieve both goals. With these schemes, you can […]

The 2024 National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) changes took effect on 1 April 2024. For employers managing large or complex workforces, ensuring compliance is critical to avoid penalties and maintain smooth payroll operations. This article outlines the current NMW rates and offers key compliance strategies, helping you stay on the right […]

Introduction UK apprenticeships and traineeships offer significant benefits for both businesses and individuals. These programs provide structured pathways to develop skills, gain qualifications, and prepare for long-term career success. For employers, apprenticeships allow you to train new talent to fit your business needs, while aspiring apprentices benefit from earning while learning. In 2023 and 2024, […]

Employers and employees are always asking us how much someone's pension contributions will be for a certain amount of salary so we wanted to create a simple calculator that will give you those figures. Our Free Pension Contribution Calculator gives you those answers for various pay frequencies. This tool is designed to help both employers […]

Introducing The Ultimate Guide to UK Statutory Payments in 2024 Understanding your rights as an employee is crucial, especially when it comes to statutory payments. These payments are government-mandated and designed to provide financial support during significant life events, such as illness, maternity, paternity, adoption, or bereavement. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need […]