ECH22032 - Settlement: Interest

Interest should only be included in Employer Compliance settlements for 1992/93 and later years, see ECH12075 on when to charge interest.

ECOs should remember that

  • interest is a statutory charge and, as such, cannot be negotiated
  • interest is not a penalty it is
  • intended to recompense the Exchequer where payment is delayed and
  • a means of maintaining equity between those employers who pay on time and those who do not.

The Regulations covering interest are

For PAYE

  • Regulations 82 and 84 The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn ) Regulations 2003

For CIS and IT-SC

  • Regulations 16 and 17, The Income Tax (Subcontractors in the Construction Industry) Regulations 1993.

For Class 1 NIC

  • Paragraph 17 Schedule 4 of The Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001.

For Class 1A NIC

  • Regulation 76 of the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001.

The following types of cases or schemes are exempt from interest

  • DP cases
  • DC (employee only NIC) cases
  • payments to some casual employees in the newspaper and printing industries
  • profit sharing schemes
  • electoral payment schemes
  • Taxed Award schemes