What is a P11D?

A P11D form is used by your employer to report ‘benefits in kind’ to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Benefits in kind are any non-cash benefits provided to you by your employer, such as company cars, interest-free loans, and other perks.

A P11D form is a document used by employers in the UK to report benefits and expenses provided to employees and directors. These benefits and expenses are items or services that employees receive from their employer in addition to their salary. The form is submitted to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and helps determine the amount of tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) that employees need to pay on these benefits.

What is a P11D Benefit?

P11D benefits, also known as 'benefits in kind' (BIKs), are non-cash perks or benefits provided to employees in addition to their salary. These can include a wide range of items and services such as:

  • Company cars and fuel

  • Private medical insurance

  • Interest-free or low-interest loans

  • Gym memberships

  • Travel and subsistence expenses

  • Living accommodation

  • Non-business related training courses

These benefits are considered part of an employee’s taxable income, and therefore, tax and NICs must be paid on them.

Who Has to File a P11D?

Employers’ Responsibility

Employers are responsible for completing and submitting a P11D form for each employee or director who has received benefits or expenses during the tax year. Employers must also file a P11D(b) form, which is a summary of the P11D forms, stating the total amount of Class 1A National Insurance contributions due on the benefits provided.

Employers need to file these forms with HMRC and provide a copy to each employee by 6 July following the end of the tax year (which runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year).

Employees’ Responsibility

While employees do not file P11D forms themselves, they are responsible for checking the information provided by their employer to ensure it is accurate. Employees must declare any benefits in kind on their Self Assessment tax return if they complete one. If they do not complete a tax return, HMRC will adjust their tax code to collect the tax due on the benefits.

How to File a P11D

Information Required

To complete a P11D form, employers need to gather detailed information about the benefits and expenses provided to employees. This includes:

  • Description of each benefit

  • Cash equivalent value of the benefit

  • Employee details (name, National Insurance number, etc.)

Completing the Form

  1. Download the Form: The P11D form can be downloaded from the HMRC website.

  2. Fill in Employee Details: Complete the sections with the employee’s personal information.

  3. Report Benefits and Expenses: Enter the details of each benefit provided, including its cash equivalent value.

  4. Class 1A NICs Calculation: Calculate the Class 1A National Insurance contributions due and report them on the P11D(b) form.

  5. Submit to HMRC: Submit the completed forms to HMRC by 6 July following the end of the tax year.

  6. Provide Copies to Employees: Provide a copy of the P11D form to each employee by the same deadline.

Penalties for Late Filing

Failure to file P11D forms on time can result in penalties for the employer. Penalties can be:

  • £100 per 50 employees for each month (or part month) the forms are late

  • Additional penalties if incorrect or misleading information is provided

Employers must ensure the forms are accurate and submitted on time to avoid these penalties.

Common Questions About P11D

1. What if an employee does not receive any benefits? If an employee does not receive any benefits or expenses, the employer does not need to file a P11D form for that employee.

2. How are benefits valued? The value of each benefit is calculated based on its cash equivalent. HMRC provides guidelines on how to calculate the value of different types of benefits.

3. Can employees challenge the information on their P11D? Yes, employees should check their P11D forms carefully. If there are any discrepancies or errors, they should contact their employer to correct the information.

4. What if an employer misses the filing deadline? Employers should file the forms as soon as possible to minimize penalties. They may also contact HMRC to explain the delay and potentially reduce the penalty.

Conclusion

The P11D form is a crucial document for reporting employee benefits and expenses in the UK. Employers must ensure they accurately complete and submit these forms to HMRC by the deadline to avoid penalties. Employees should also review the information to ensure they are paying the correct amount of tax on their benefits. Understanding and complying with P11D requirements helps maintain transparency and compliance with tax regulations.

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