![[UK]HMRC Issues New Starter Checklist](http://globalpayrollassociation.com/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Business-Woman-Is-Decision-To--324804109_1200x.jpg?v=1585061804)
At the start of March 2020, HMRC advised software developers that they planned to upload a new Starter Checklist to gov.uk. Unfortunately, the version that they sent as a pdf document had a spelling mistake on it – if you are using the version you will be able to spot the mistake by looking at the section where the employee is asked to “tick the appropraite box” when it should have said “tick the appropriate box”.
Do not use this version!
HMRC have now uploaded a corrected version after civil servants were alerted to the error.
The changes?
They are not significant. Apparently, the revised checklist has been constructed following “user research” and makes changes to section 8 where the employee has to make a statement about their employment situation i.e. A “this is my first job since the 6th of April”, B “I have had another job” etc.
Whilst there are some changes to the look of the form at section 8, the main change against both statements A and B is an indication that it should not be ticked in certain circumstances. Specifically, there is now text above both A and B statements that says:
“Do not choose this statement if you’re in receipt of a State, Works or Private Pension”
There are no other changes.
Global Payroll Association Comment
Employer can choose to replace their supplies of existing forms or use the new checklist immediately. We know that many employers use their own forms so it may be worth updating the text on these to include the clarification that boxes A and B should not be completed of the individual is in receipt of a State, work or private pension. Obviously, HMRC’s “user research” identified that people in receipt of these were ticking the wrong statement.
It is important that the checklist (or a company own version) is used for all new employees. The checklist is used by employers where a starting employee does not present a P45 that can be used plus, importantly, should be used to clarify which student loan an employee has. The P45 will only indicate that one exists but will not identify if it is plan 1, 2 or a post graduate loan.
At the start of March 2020, HMRC advised software developers that they planned to upload a new Starter Checklist to gov.uk. Unfortunately, the version that they sent as a pdf document had a spelling mistake on it – if you are using the version you will be able to spot the mistake by looking at the section where the employee is asked to “tick the appropraite box” when it should have said “tick the appropriate box”.
Do not use this version!
HMRC have now uploaded a corrected version after civil servants were alerted to the error.
The changes?
They are not significant. Apparently, the revised checklist has been constructed following “user research” and makes changes to section 8 where the employee has to make a statement about their employment situation i.e. A “this is my first job since the 6th of April”, B “I have had another job” etc.
Whilst there are some changes to the look of the form at section 8, the main change against both statements A and B is an indication that it should not be ticked in certain circumstances. Specifically, there is now text above both A and B statements that says:
“Do not choose this statement if you’re in receipt of a State, Works or Private Pension”
There are no other changes.
Global Payroll Association Comment
Employer can choose to replace their supplies of existing forms or use the new checklist immediately. We know that many employers use their own forms so it may be worth updating the text on these to include the clarification that boxes A and B should not be completed of the individual is in receipt of a State, work or private pension. Obviously, HMRC’s “user research” identified that people in receipt of these were ticking the wrong statement.
It is important that the checklist (or a company own version) is used for all new employees. The checklist is used by employers where a starting employee does not present a P45 that can be used plus, importantly, should be used to clarify which student loan an employee has. The P45 will only indicate that one exists but will not identify if it is plan 1, 2 or a post graduate loan.