How to configure government payroll settings
Contents
Summary
This article explains the various statutory parameters set by the Government. Most of these will be updated automatically, but you may need to adjust these yourself from time to time.
More Information
Government Parameters are set within the system automatically, but there may be instances where a small change is required by government legislation.
 | You should not attempt to change these settings unless otherwise instructed. We may inform you verbally or by e-mail for this. |
- Go to " Systems Payroll Payroll Parameters/Maintenance Payroll Parameters Government Parameters".
NI Bands
These settings allow you to edit or view National Insurance Rate Tables. These only generally change at the beginning of a Payroll Tax year and this is done by the system as part of the payroll year end software update.
The settings on this screen should not be changed without prior notification to do so as any changes made are effective immediately.
Tax Bands
These settings allow you to edit or view the Tax Bands. These are changed by the Government at their discretion. Whilst any changes will be incorporated into the latest software release, if this is the only change to any of the tables, then you should receive instructions from us via e-mail to explain any changes that might be needed.
The settings on this screen should not be changed without prior notification to do so as any changes made are effective immediately.
SSP Parameters
These settings allow you to view or edit Default SSP Qualifying Days, Waiting Days, PIW Links and SSP Rates. However these only generally change at the beginning of a Payroll Tax year and this is done by the system as part of the payroll year end software update.
The following fields should not be edited by yourself. Any modifications made will be effective immediately and may be overwritten the next time you receive a Platinum software update:
- Waiting Days
- Maximum SSP
- SSP Link
- SSP Rates
The following fields may be edited by yourself. However these only generally change at the beginning of a Payroll Tax year and this is done by the system as part of the payroll year end software update. Any modifications made will be effective immediately and will not be overwritten by a Platinum Software program update:
- Default Qualifying Days
- NIC Compensation Rate
- Reclaim Percentage Threshold
Default Qualifying Days
This is a weekly template, indicating which days qualify for Sick Pay.
Enter 'Q' to indicate a Qualifying Day. Enter 'N' to indicate a Non-Qualifying Day.
This template is the default which will appear on Page 3: SSP & SMP of the employee's record. The default can be changed for individuals by editing their employee record.
| If you change the template in here, it will not affect existing employee records. It will be the default template used when new employee records are created. |
NIC Compensation Rate
Enter the SSP National Insurance Contribution Compensation Rate.
Reclaim Percentage Threshold
Enter the SSP Reclaim Percentage Threshold.
SMP/SAP/SPP Parameters
These settings allow you to view or edit SMP/SAP/SPP Rates, Number of Weeks at Higher & Lower Rates and Percentage to Reclaim. However these only generally change at the beginning of a Payroll Tax year and this is done by the system as part of the payroll year end software update.
The following fields should not be edited by yourself. Any modifications made will be effective immediately and may be overwritten the next time you receive a Platinum software update:
- Earnings Related Rate
- Standard Rate
- Weeks at Earnings Rate
- weeks at Standard Rate
SMP/SAP/SPP Recovery
The following fields may be edited by yourself. However these only generally change at the beginning of a Payroll Tax year and this is done by the system as part of the payroll year end software update. Any modifications made will be effective immediately and will not be overwritten by a Platinum Software program update:
- Recovery Rate
- Compensation Rate
Recovery Rate
This refers to the percentage to reclaim. Enter the percentage of SMP/SAP/SPP paid that you may reclaim. This will depend on the annual NI payments that you make.
Compensation Rate
This refers to the NIC compensation rate. Enter the SMP/SAP/SPP National Insurance Contribution Compensation Rate.
Contracted Out Parameters
These settings allow you to edit or view Money Purchase and Salary Related Pension Scheme Parameters.
Money Purchase Schemes (COMPS)
"Employee's Share" - Enter the Percentage Contracted Out for the Employee.
"Employer's Share" - Enter the Percentage Contracted Out for the Employer.
Salary Related Schemes (COSRS)
"Employee's Share" - Enter the Percentage Contracted Out for the Employee.
"Employer's Share" - Enter the Percentage Contracted Out for the Employer.
Scottish Tax Bands
These settings allow you to edit or view the Scottish Tax Bands and Rates. The Scottish Parliament has limited tax raising powers that allow it to vary the tax bands and rates. At the time of writing, they have chosen not to use this. This would be done by the system as part of a payroll software update should they choose to do so.
The settings on this screen should not be changed without prior notification to do so as any changes made are effective immediately.
Student Loan Parameters
These settings allow you to edit or view the Threshold and Recovery Rates for the Collection of Student Loans. However these only generally change at the beginning of a Payroll Tax year and this is done by the system as part of the payroll year end software update.
The settings on this screen should not be changed without prior notification to do so as any changes made are effective immediately.
See also
- How do I Run a Payroll Period?
- How do I Add a New Employee to the Payroll?
- How do I Set up a Child Support Attachment?
- How do I Enter a Student Loan?
- How do I Set up a Council Tax Attachment?
