Monthly Archives: February 2011

Maternity Benefit, have you overpaid Tax and PRSI?

Dear Readers,

I have been meaning to write about this topic, as I had indeed overpaid Tax and PRSI!
It took me a while to get the money back, but in the end I did, and got a nice refund. All I remember was that there is a 4 year time limit, so if your child hasn’t turned 4 yet, you can still apply.
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I had kind of forgotten how it all works, but then I came across a blog entry on http://www.smallbusinesscan.com/  which detailes how it all works!
I am posting it in below  or read the blog entry  here by Deirdre Geraghty from Bookkeeping Partners
Maternity benefit is not regarded as Income and should not be taxed. However, many employers make the mistake of over taxing their employees whilst they are out on maternity leave. This can happen if you continue to pay your employee their full wage as normal and recover the maternity benefit directly from the Dept of Social Protection.

The employee should only be taxed on the “top-up” ie the difference between the net pay normally paid less the Maternity Benefit payment. Not only that, but the PRSI will also be overstated – for both Employer and Employee PRSI. The good news is that both you and your employee can get a refund of these overpayments. Here’s how you go about it:

MB21

For your employee to claim a refund, they need to know exactly how much Maternity Benefit they received. This can be found out easily by obtaining an MB21 Statement from the Dept of Social Protection. Your employee can email them on maternityben@welfare.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with their PPS number and contact address and they will receive this statement quite quickly. Alternatively, the Maternity Benefit Section can be called on 1890 690690.

Tax Refund

The employee needs to send a letter to their local tax office along with the MB21 statement and a copy of their P60 for the relevant year or years (if the maternity spans over two years) requesting that the Revenue investigate if they overpaid tax. It helps to include a letter from the employer stating that the amount on the P60 includes the maternity benefit received directly from the Dept of Social Protection.

PRSI Refund

Next on the list is to reclaim any overpaid PRSI. Download form PRSIREF1 from this link www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/prsiref1.pdf and both employee and employer need to complete the relevant sections. This can then be sent to the address on the form, together with the P60 for the relevant year. Unfortunately, processing time for a PRSI refund can take up to four months at the moment. You, as the employer, can send a letter to the same section with your company details to reclaim a refund on Employers PRSI overpaid.

Time Limits:

Bear in mind that there is a time limit of 4 years to make an application for a refund.

Good luck reclaiming and big thank you to Deirdre Geraghty for explaining how it all works!

Katleen

FREE* Training courses in preparation of weeks of Welcomes( irelandxo.com)

Dear Readers,

In the framework of the http://www.irelandxo.com/ project, there will be a week of welcomes in East Galway at the end of June/beginning of July, to welcome back people from around the world  to visit their roots in East Galway, learn about their roots, their heritage , their identy and learn/explore about the area, reconnect with family and friends.
During this week, there will be a variety of activities organized by the various parishes, and one of those activities is about Heritage and History Training.

My People, My Place, My Heritage –Knowing my place and my people -Heritage and History Training

Thanks to funding from the Galway County Council and Galway Heritage Forum, we are delighted to launch a new training project which is free of charge* to the participating IRO parishes. My People, My Place, My Heritage is a local heritage training and knowledge initiative to develop and deliver local heritage, genealogy, history and folklore training to the 46 parishes and sub-parishes that form the IRO south-east Galway Diaspora Pilot Project area.

The lectures will take place from 7.30-9.30pm over 13 evenings from March to May in the Loughrea Spa Hotel – the most central location for the whole area. In the attached document, you will find all details on the lectures and registration.
 
Just to recap the list of Parishes that are part of this project :

Abbey and Duniry
Tynagh
Aughrim & Kilconnell
Ardrahan / Labane
Ballinakill & Derrybrien
Gort (Kilbeacanty & Beagh)
Kilconieran & Clostoken
Clonfert, Meelick and Eyrecourt
Clontuskert
Fohenagh and Killure
Peterswell
Kilchreest & Castledaly
Leitrim & Killeenadeema
Killimor
Tiranascragh
Fahy and Quansborough
Kiltullagh & Killimordaly
Laurencetown
Kiltormer
Loughrea
Mullagh, Killoran, Kilrickle, Cappataggle
New Inn & Bullaun
Portumna, Boula, Gortanumera
Woodford
Ballymacward & Gurteen

And yes, it’s FREE to attend, in exchange of 8 Hours volunteering with the project.
Feel free to contact Dolores for more information.

Thanks!
Katleen

www.irelandxo.com- check out their February Newsletter

Hello Readers,

If you are interested to find out about the progress of the http://www.irelandxo.com/ project ( Diaspora Project), check our their latest newsletter here.

I went to their second meeting on the 4th of February in the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort, and really enjoyed the buzz. Lot’s of interesting speakers, including David Mc William.
If you ‘d like to read the full report of that meeting, please go here or go through the project update presentation that was held on the evening.( some very interesting findings so far!)

Thanks!
Katleen

National Employment Week and New Start

Hi all,

So this week is National Employment week in Ireland , sponsored by Sigmar Recruitment, and consisting of a variety of talks around the country, tips and support about the challenges faced by many people of finding a job, and encouraging businesses to recruit even one more person in 2011. There are lot’s of resources on the website, so do check it out!

I came across another initiative called NewStart sponsored by Smart Marketing which is aimed at enterpreneurs who have a business idea and who are looking for support/guidance to get their business up and running. You can download the application form here.
If succesfull ( there are 3 places), you’ll be working along with Theresa Mulvihill for the next 10 months.

Kind regards,
Katleen

Money can’t buy you love( but if you like them on facebook, you might win tickets:)

Hi all,



http://www.opera.ie/


…money can’t buy you love.

The Irish stock market is reeling following a shock announcement from Don Pasquale, chair of PASQUAL€ BANK™ that he is disinheriting Ernesto, his rebellious heir apparent, due to alleged involvement with glamorous young widow Norina. Is PASQUAL€ BANK ™ on the verge of collapse? Will the scheming Doctor Malatesta manipulate the situation to his advantage? And what kind of merger is the foolish old banker planning?

Immerse yourself in Donizetti’s farcical world and enjoy glorious arias and delightful melodies conducted by Roy Laughlin and performed by Opera Theatre Company’s chamber ensemble. Brimming with lyricism and high comedy this vivacious opera has something for everyone, with themes that still resonate today. Directed by Annilese Miskimmon with design by Aedín Cosgrove (Pan Pan Theatre Company). Cast: Martin Higgins (The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville) as Don Pasqualé, Andrew Ashwin as Malatesta, Claudia Boyle (Bastien & Bastienne, YAA alumna) as Norina, Fredrik Akselberg as Ernesto and Young Associate Artist Nathan Morrison as The Fake Notary.

Why not check them out on Facebook and you’ll get a chance to win tickets( just say if you want to go and watch their show in Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Tallaght, Waterford,Castlebar,Sligo,  Navan, Limerick, Tralee or Carlow.

Enjoy your WE!
Katleen