Q about Tax...am I being scewed?

lazy&indebt

Good Morning everyone, hope you are all ok.

I recently took on a second job in a bar as some of you may know, I have worked there for about 6 weeks and have not yet been paid, I have chased about 5 times but to no avail. This , however, isn't the only problem....

They spun me some BS about I have to pay 25% tax on a second job - this didn't sound right to me so I've looked about on the internet and apparently the rate should be 22% as per my full time job (as my second job earns me less than £93 per week) I mentioned this to them and they said it doesn't work like that and I will pay 25% and get a rebate at the end of the tax year?! Well this sounded really dodgy to me so i spoke to a couple of the other girls. One didn't have any other income and earns less than £5k per year and so doesn't pay tax but shouldn't she be paying NI? Anyway, she was earning cash in hand and the other girl 'didn't know' what she earns per hour! The most shocking thing is though that nobody who works there has ever gotten a wage slip! Surely this is illegal?

Could it be possible that they are paying me £3.93 per hour (25% less that £5.25 min wage) and not putting it through the books so not only are they not paying tax, but they aren't paying us enough? What shuold I do? Could I get into trouble with the IL?

Any help appreciated as always x

lynzpower

I expect this would be better on the cutting tax board, and yes, it does seem like they are spinning you a line.

Is this pub a free house, or tied to a brewery. If its tied to a brewery, I wonder whether a quick call to their HR or personell team should sort this out. If they are paying below the min wage, you really should be reporting them too.

SAP_Saver

sounds illegal to me... a lot of pubs do this...!
If you do not get the money put in your bank account directly (no wage slip) how can you varify if tax and NI has been paid? you can't!
You should request it is paid into your bank - if it is cash in hand you should technically be paying the tax out of the cash yourself! as if Self Employed but this should be the pubs responsibility as an empolyer!

lazy&indebt

They aren't tied to a brewery.

I will ask them for a pay slip - if I ever get paid and see what they say. If they start BSing me again then i shall say something along the lines of...'well maybe a call to the inland revenue might sort this out...' or is that too much?

owessomuch

Someting is not right for sure.

You should be paying 22% tax.

Do you know if any of they other staff received a P60 at the end of tax year 2006? If so were the figures correct?

lazy&indebt

Owesomuch no nobody did I don't think. One girl left now for another job and has asked for a P45 and has not received one, they keep fobbing her off!

I'm really not happy about this - I taken on a second job to help pay offmy debt and am really excited about the fact that my credit card will be cleared in a couple of months but now I am being screwed over and will probably have to leave! I am so angry!

lynzpower

Maybe say to them you have had a look on the internet, and you have conflicting info. Just say lightly, Ill check it out with the inland revenue and maybe Ill get them to give you a ring to talk you through the expectations if you have it wrong.

Keep it light.

If they are doidging the books you will know from this conversation if they are actively dodging the taxman.

In any case, it sounds like you have a case as you have not yet been paid, this isnt legal either.

Hereward

It sounds like they've put you on the emergency tax code. I would also question why you aren't paying any NI as the treshold applies to total earnings, not per job.

owessomuch

I completely understand you anger, its like taking one step forward and two steps back.

By law everyone should have received a P60 from there employer by 31st May 2006 as along as they were still working there.

I know it must be a hard thing to do but I would suggest that you contact the IR and have a word with them.

Neeldown

Try the ACAS helpline on 08457 474747 where you will get real advice and not a lot of guesswork!

lazy&indebt

Thank you everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it.
Why would I be put on an emergency tax code? Shouldn't they need a document from me like a P46 or something when I start to tell them what my tax code should be? The only thing they have had from me is my NI number!