Minimum Wage Increase
On the 1st April 2018 the minimum wage will increase by 75c to $16.50 per hour. This rate applies to all employees 16 years and over. The starting-out and training hourly minimum wage rates will increase to $13.20 per hour, remaining at 80% of the adult minimum wage.
Refer: https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/news-and-updates/minimum-wage-to-increase/
ACC Earner Levy April 2018 – no rate change
The ACC Earner Premium will remain at 1.39% per $100 liable earnings for the year 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019. The maximum Liable Earnings is to increase from the current amount of $124,053 to $126,286.
Refer: http://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax-individual/different-income-taxed/salaries-wages/acc/
KiwiSaver ESCT Review – 1 April each year
Remember to check that your employees are having the correct ESCT Tax rate deducted from their KiwiSaver Employer Contribution on the first payrun after 31 March this year.
Refer: http://www.ird.govt.nz/payroll-employers/make-deductions/deductions/super-contributions/esct.html#02
Software upgrades for 1 April changes
Your payroll software provider must make all the applicable compliance changes to their software for 1 April each year. It is your responsibility as an employer to ensure that you are complying with any legislative changes. Check with your software provider for any applicable upgrades, especially if you are using a DESKTOP software produce. Most CLOUD-BASED software providers will automatically update to meet the legal requirements.
Easter Sunday Trading
Easter Sunday is NOT a Public Holiday. This means staff working on that day get paid at their normal rate with no Alternative Holiday.
Refer: https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/restricted-shop-trading-days/
‘Otherwise working day’ for Public Holidays
It’s important to be able to work out whether a day is an ‘otherwise working day’ for an employee to work out their entitlements. Where it is unclear, an employer and employee must reach an agreement based on several factors.
Check out these links: https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/otherwise-working-day/
https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/
Daylight Saving Ends Sunday 1 April
Daylight saving ends on Sunday 1 April this year at 3am. Clocks are put back to 2am. Any employees working when Daylight Saving ends will work an additional hour and must get paid for that.
Refer: https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/pay/how-much-to-pay/
Payroll team at Accounted4
Anne Bland Extn. 831
Carolyn Lawrence Extn. 837
Maree Craig Extn. 825
Kathryn Leong Extn. 859
