Everything You Need to Know About International Payroll Processing Companies

The benefits of international payroll services extend far beyond the convenience and relative cost savings. In today’s ever-changing business environment, the significance of human resources has become more than evident. Companies of all sizes are looking for cost-effective solutions to streamline their operations and boost employee productivity. To illustrate the importance of international payroll services on this basis, consider an example that has recently been covered in the media: an international, US-listed oil and gas drilling company was forced to suspend operations for several days following a collision between its drilling unit and an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

The collision occurred because of poor planning and poor communication between the domestic workforce, its employer, and the operational management team responsible for maintaining the rig. Opting for international payroll processing companies is a step towards stability and improvement.

Things to Know about International Payroll Processing Companies

As is common practice in most businesses, the offshore oil company employs a payroll service to manage the domestic side of its operations. The rig operator was not aware of some of the legal requirements that were required when performing offshore labour. As was the case in many areas, this operator relied heavily on the services of an international payroll service. Ultimately, it was found that the lack of direct access to both the domestic and offshore workforce resulted in poor communication, a lack of consistency in timekeeping, and ultimately poor safety practices on the rig. This is a common situation faced by offshore oil and gas employers. They may be able to save time and money when engaging payroll services from a third-party service provider that does not require them to re-apply for federal unemployment benefits every two weeks. For international companies operating in multiple countries, it is even more critical to maintain a consistent payroll process and avoid delays in the application process. Often, this means having to seek out an expert in payroll administration and payroll law. In the United Kingdom, offshore outsourcing compliance is not a straightforward task. As a result, international offshore payroll services may be the solution to this complex issue.

Many UK companies are careful to follow all applicable laws. One concern of many UK multinationals is the possibility of being penalized for not meeting income tax reporting requirements. Although Congress has taken measures to protect UK corporations from taxation penalties related to improper payroll practices, it is often difficult to enforce the provisions of these laws when there are no reciprocal systems in place with foreign governments.

This is where professional administrative services from a third-party offshore administrative firm become particularly valuable. A payroll firm can act as an intermediary between multinationals and their home governments. They can help minimize the need to have a second representative in each country to deal with income tax rates and benefits, and can ensure timely reports are filed on a timely basis. Moreover, companies can rely on their overseas service providers to provide the necessary infrastructure and human resources to ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements. Ultimately, a well-trained payroll expert can ensure that all parties involved meet legal obligations and avoid penalties.

Another major benefit of outsourcing is the ability to tap a large pool of talent that can provide additional value to companies and operate as part of a team rather than being detached from the company. There are numerous examples of foreign talents that are available through international staffing firms. For example, many expatriates live and work in countries like the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, hundreds of expatriates in western countries such as the UK and Australia, as well as in Canada, are available through various staffing firms as contractual workers. Through expatriate recruitment agencies and similar organizations, businesses can tap a ready source of temporary and permanent employees from other countries with great skill sets and appropriate experience.

Tax evasion is another major headache faced by companies around the world. In the past, multinational companies in developed countries, especially in Europe and the UK, have been accused of evading billions of dollars in tax obligations. As a consequence of these allegations, local and international tax authorities have become more vigilant in targeting corporate tax avoidance. If human resource professionals are hired abroad, they can provide legal and tax advice to companies on a variety of issues, including payroll law, employee benefits and pensions, acquisitions and mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. A successful case could see the return of billions of dollars to multinational companies while averting fines, penalties, interest or criminal prosecution.

Final Take

There are many benefits of international payroll services, which can help businesses save costs and time. Furthermore, legal and compliance personnel can offer companies assistance in understanding and implementing complicated international employment laws and regulations. These experts can help employers reduce administrative costs by providing payroll processing solutions and by facilitating paperwork. Ultimately, legal compliance and payroll management are essential in a competitive and increasingly global economy.