Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRA)
Description

In the employee record on the Cars/Fuel tab, you can now enter Cash Foregone (Car) and Cash Foregone (Fuel). This is the cash benefit value that has not been taken by the employee.

These values aren't calculated in Sage 50 Payroll as they're part of P11D calculations, but can be entered manually for record purposes.

Cause
Resolution

What is OpRA?

OpRA includes any arrangement where an employee either gives up a right to pay in return for a benefit, or has the option of receiving pay instead of a benefit. For example, if an employee has the option of a cash allowance instead of a company car.

From 6 April 2017, there were new rules introduced for some benefits in kind (BiKs) and the tax and national insurance (NI) advantages associated with salary sacrifice schemes withdrawn. Salary sacrifice has been replaced by Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRA).

You don't need to do anything if the salary sacrifice is for:

  • Pension contributions
  • Tax exempt childcare
  • Cycle to work schemes
  • Purchase of annual leave
  • Company cars with CO2 emissions of 75g or less (ultra low emissions)

 

Who does this affect?

The new rules apply to all employees whose remuneration packages include salary sacrifice or flexible benefit arrangement, entered into on or after 6 April 2017.

Any arrangements that were in place before 6 April 2017 for company cars, accommodation or school fees aren't affected until 2021, unless there is a material change to the arrangement.

 

What difference will these changes make?

If an employee is offered a cash allowance or a benefit for different amounts, the employee will pay tax on the higher amount even if they choose the lower amount between the cash and benefit.

For example, if an employees are offered a:

    • £4000 cash allowance

Or,

  • Company car equivalent to £3500

The employees who choose the £4000 cash allowance aren't affected. They will pay tax on the £4000 cash allowance that they receive through their payroll. However, employees who choose to take the company car equivalent to £3500 will now be taxed on the higher amount of the offer, £4000.

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