From 6th April 2014 employers are able to claim Employment Allowance. This Allowance reduces the NIC Class 1 payable by employers by up to £2000 per year. The aim of this allowance is to make it easier and less of a financial burden on small businesses to employ staff. Not all businesses can claim the Employment Allowance however. Employers that cannot claim this allowance are those that: employ someone for personal, household or domestic work, such as a nanny, au pair, chauffeur, gardener, care support worker already claim the allowance through a connected company or charity are a public authority, this includes; local, district, town and parish councils carry out functions either wholly or mainly of a public nature (unless you have charitable status), for example: NHS services General Practitioner services the managing of housing stock owned by or for a local council providing a meals on wheels service for a local council refuse collection for a local council prison … [Read more...]