Feb 15

2026

Cross-Border Payroll: Eliminate the Friction in Your UK and Irish Operations

If your business is one of the many successfully operating across the UK and Ireland, you know the rewards that come with a dual market presence. However, you also know the administrative friction that sits right at the core of that expansion: cross-border payroll.

You’re not running one payroll; you’re managing two entirely separate, complex systems. The moment your UK-registered company hires its first employee in Dublin, or your Irish company brings on staff in Manchester, you cross a significant compliance threshold. 

This isn’t just about different currencies. You need to know how to navigate distinct tax codes, diverging national insurance rules, and varying employment law structures.

This complexity can be a significant drain on resources and a constant compliance risk. At SCC Chartered Accountants, we specialise in removing this friction. With offices and deep expertise in both the UK and Ireland, we provide a seamless, dual-skilled solution you need to ensure every employee, in every jurisdiction, is paid accurately and compliantly, every time.

The True Cost of Cross-Border Payroll Complexity

It’s tempting to think that minor geographical distance equates to minor regulatory difference, but unfortunately that is not the case. The systems in the UK and Ireland vary significantly in several critical areas:

• Tax Terminology and Structure: The UK uses PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Ireland, however, uses PAYE, PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance), and USC (Universal Social Charge). Each has different thresholds, rates, and reporting requirements.

• Employment Law & Deductions: Statutory entitlements like sick pay, parental leave, and minimum wage are governed by separate, often diverging, national laws. Missing an update in either jurisdiction can lead to hefty fines, penalties, and even legal disputes with employees.

• Compliance Deadlines: Different tax authorities—HMRC in the UK and the Irish Revenue Commissioners—have their own unique registration processes, submission formats, and payment schedules.

For businesses aiming for seamless growth, this administrative burden becomes a major drag on efficiency and cash flow.

For UK Companies with Irish Employees

If you are a UK-registered company employing staff in the Republic of Ireland, you must adhere to Irish fiscal and employment regulations. We handle the entire process to make this seamless:

• Irish Revenue Registration: We manage the mandatory registration process with the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
• Accurate Tax Calculation: We expertly calculate and process all required Irish deductions, including PAYE, PRSI, and USC, ensuring correct application of tax credits and bands.
• Compliance Assurance: We ensure full adherence to the Irish reporting system and all associated employment law requirements, helping you avoid crippling fines and penalties.
• Monthly Submissions: Timely and accurate submission of all required payroll data, so your business stays on the right side of Irish law.

For Irish Companies with UK Employees

For Irish companies with a footprint in the UK, we manage the entire UK payroll lifecycle, mitigating the risks associated with HMRC compliance:

• HMRC Registration: We take care of registering your business with HMRC as a UK employer.
• Tax and Social Security: We accurately calculate and process PAYE and National Insurance Contributions, handling all aspects of the tax code system.
• UK Employment Law & Pensions: We check compliance with essential UK employment laws, including managing mandatory workplace pensions through auto-enrolment and calculating entitlements like Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).
• Year-End Reporting: We manage crucial annual submissions, such as the P60s and final PAYE submission, ensuring a smooth close to the fiscal year.

Your Dual-Skilled Partner: SCC Chartered Accountants

At SCC Chartered Accountants, we recognise that solving cross-border challenges requires more than just knowing the rules. We believe that it also requires an active presence and integrated expertise in both countries. That is why we have established offices in both the UK and Ireland.

We act as your bridge, ensuring that your payroll operations are not only compliant but also optimised for efficiency, allowing your business to operate as a cohesive unit regardless of where your employees are based.

Our Integrated Cross-Border Payroll Solutions

Our dedicated service is specifically designed to manage the unique complexities of payroll when employees are based in one jurisdiction and the company is registered in the other.

Focus on Growth

Your cross border payroll is a strategic function that will impact employee satisfaction, legal standing and operational costs. 

By entrusting this complexity to SCC Chartered Accountants you can benefit from risk mitigation, free up time for your internal HR or finance teams and boost employee confidence. 

We can also provide you with advice on the tax implications of employment contracts and remuneration across both jurisdictions.

As your partner, we manage the complexities while you can focus on expansion. 

Contact us today to start simplifying your cross-border payroll.