SMP or MA??? Help please?

Secret1234

Please move this if i'm in the wrong place....

I am 20 weeks pregnant and I am director of my own Limited company (been running for 12 months). I pay myself 476 a month so i am under the personal tax threshold and i don't pay National Insurance (i think i get a certificate of some sort - will ask the accountant), the rest is paid in dividends.

My question is, when my maternity leave kicks in, will i be entitled to SMP from my own company or will I have to claim MA?

Or do you even know who i ring to ask the question? Eeeshk its so complicated!!

Thanks in advance x

[Deleted User]

You are below the threshold for SMP as you do not pay NI so it will be MA

Secret1234

Thanks for that x

chrisbur

The qualifying figure for SMP is £421 a month (the lower earnings limit). You do not actually pay NI untill your earnings go over £476 (the earnings threshold) These figures apply to employees and I have no idea whether they would apply in your case as a director, I would speak to your accountant as I assume he recomended the monthly payment of the earnings threshold figure.

Secret1234

Yeah accountant set the figure, i'll give him a ring, this seems like a bit of a minefield!!

Becles

Are you employed or self employed?

If you are claiming MA as self employed with a small earnings certificate, then you'll get £27 a week in MA.

If you don't have the certificate and have paid enough Class 2 NI, it's about £125 a week.

If you are claiming MA as an employed person, I think it's 90% of your weekly wage or £125-ish - whichever is lower.

stazi

See page 23 of the attached HMRC guide E15 about company directors & SMP-
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/e15.pdf