Problem
TLC is a multinational company which specialises in consumer electronics. The company has multiple offices throughout Europe and the USA, with the European headquarters based in Germany. The company recently established and Irish company (TLC IE) in Dublin and is also considering opening and office in Cork. You have recently been recruited as an employment tax manager and you are required to provide payroll, tax, USc, PRSI advice on the following matters:
1. Burnard Muller a Geman national, has been engaged as a non-executive director of TLC IE. He is required to attend quarterly board meetings in Dublin which he will travel to directly from his home in Germany. Burnard will receive director's fee of €20,000 in addition of the re-imbursement of the expense he incurs in attending the board meetings in Ireland. This is his only income from Ireland and the board meetings will be Burnard's only trips to Ireland this year. Burnard is married to Heidi who owns a dental practise in Germany.
2. Pamela Farrell a UK national, was employed in the company's UK office, TLC UK for the past 4 years. She requested a permanent transfer to the Dublin office as her fiancé Cian lives in Ireland and she wishes to relocate to Ireland. Pamela will transfer and take up employment with TLC IE on 1st of May 2023. She will receive the annual salary of €30,000. Pamela is getting married in September. Pamela is excited about her upcoming wedding and is looking forward to living outside of the UK for the first time. Cian is employed in Ireland and has taxable income of €46,000 a year. Pamela has asked for advice as to how all of this will impact on her tax, PRSI and USC for this year.
3. Bradley Morris a US national will be temporarily assigned to TLC IE from the US company ( TLC US) on 1st of June 2023 on a 2 year assignment and he will return to his current role in TLC USA at the end of May 2025. He has been working for TLC USA for 12 years. Bradley is paid a salary of €220,000 per year. He will contribute €20,000a year into a qualifying overseas USA pension scheme. He will be provided with company car in Ireland which has a national value of €21,600 per year. Bradley's wife and children will remain in the USA for the duration of his stay, but TLC USA has agreed to pay for the cost of 6 return flights per year. Each return flight will cost €1,500. 2 of these flights will occur in 2023to coincide with 2 periods of annual leave totalling 18 days. TLC USA has agreed to pay €27,000 per year in respect of rental accommodation for Bradley in Ireland. Bradley is looking forward to his assignment as it will be his first time in Ireland. TLC does not operate a tax equalisation agreement. Bradley will continue to be paid by TLC USA and TLC IE will account for any payroll taxes due in Ireland.
4. Liam Conroy has been engaged in a self-employed capacity to oversee the initial set up and development of the company in Ireland. He recently retired as the CEO of TLC UK and received generous severance package. He will report directly to the CEO of TLC IE Martin Fox. Lima can set his own hours of work each week. However he will be required to attend a meeting once a week to update Martin on his progress and discuss any issues that may arise. Liam will act as the primary spokesperson for the company in Ireland. Liam will receive a set monthly rate of pay which will be paid via accounts payable on submission of an invoice. In addition, he will receive holiday pay calculated at 8% of hours worked. Liam is provided with a company mobile phone and laptop. TLC IE have rented a fully furnished office space for Liam. Liam's contract requires him to seek approval from Martin before implementing any changes. Liam is register for VAT as he acts as a consultant for several other companies in a self-employed capacity. He will reimbursed tax free for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of TLC IE.
5. TLC IE wishes to introduce a share scheme as an incentive to employees. Martin Fox has heard that Ireland has certain shares schemes which are approved by the Irish Revenue Commissioners. He has requested you to compare and contrast the Revenue approved share schemes and consider their appropriateness for TLC IE. TLC IE has some high earning employees and its annual turnover is expected to hit €55 milion this year.
A. Find issues which you have been specifically asked to give advice on as well as any other issues which you think need attention.
B. Give a reason why the issues you indentified need attention,
C. Suggest what steps should be taken to address each of these issues, from both the employer and employee point of view.
D. Indentify the PAYE, PRSI and USC implications for the company and the affected employees of each of the issues indentified by you
E. Make a reference to any relevant legislation or case law or include relevant calculations to support views.
F. Assume the legislation in subsequent tax years remains the same as the current tax year.