Tax, Employment & Business
Tax
You might find the tax system in the UK is different from your original area. You pay VAT (value added tax) through purchasing product and service, Income Tax if you are working and more. You can find out further details through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) tax page and raise queries to HMRC on HMRC community forum directly, or seek advise from a tax advisor.
Tax: National Insurance
It is mandatory in the UK to pay National Insurance if you’re 16 or over and are either an employee earning more than £242 per week from one job or self-employed and making a profit of more than £12,570 a year. You will need to apply for a National Insurance Number, but you can start work without a National Insurance Number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK. You may find that employers expect you to provide a NI number, but the application can take a number of weeks to come through.
Tax: Income Tax (Employed)
Most people pay Income Tax through Pay As You Earn (PAYE). This is the system your employer or pension provider uses to take Income Tax and National Insurance contributions before they pay your wages or pension. Your tax code tells your employer how much to deduct.
Tax: Self Assessment (Self employed / Other income)
Self-Assessment is a system HMRC uses to collect Income Tax. Tax is usually deducted automatically from wages and pensions. People and businesses with other income must report it in a tax return or submit a Self-Assessment to the HMRC.
Employment: Employee's Rights
As an employee you have rights to protect you in the workplace. These include
- Your basic rights and employment contract
- Pay, including the minimum wage or living wage
- Holidays and holiday pay
- Sick pay
- Parental rights
- Flexible working
- Agency working
- Workplace pensions
To find out more about your rights work, please click on the Citizens' Advice Wales website. Trade Unions protect your rights in the workplace, please click on the Wales TUC Cymru website for further details.
Employment: UK European Network Information Centre (UK ENIC)
The UK ENIC provides expert advice on behalf of the UK Government on the comparability of international qualifications, including those from Hong Kong to UK qualifications. They can help with transferring your qualifications and comparing them with UK equivalents. You can apply on-line for a Statement of Comparability, which will evidence the level of your overseas qualification for employment, study and professional registration. Careers Wales can also help with this process.
Employment: Careers Wales
Careers Wales provides a free tailored information, advice and guidance service called Working Wales to help individuals to make decisions on learning, training and work. They can help you identify transferable skills and advise on employment and training opportunities in your area. To arrange an appointment, call 0800 028 48 44 or visit the Working Wales website where you can use webchat or email to get in touch.
Business: Setting up a business or self employed
Business Wales is a free service that provides impartial, independent support and advice to people starting, running and growing a business in Wales. With regional centres across Wales, a mixture of online and face-to-face support is available, as well as training workshops and individual advice. The website of Business Wales includes details on self-employment, business planning, market research and finance.
The British Business Bank is the UK’s government-owned development bank. It offers advice and support to small businesses in the UK, including help to identify suitable financing options. Working with partners it also offers start up loans and free mentoring advice to newly established companies. You should also see the British Business Bank’s online Finance Hub.