Key payroll, employment tax and social security updates from India and across the globe
Global Partner. Integrated Solutions.
Updates from Across the Globe | November 2026
Key payroll, employment tax and social security updates from India and across the globe.
In The Spotlight
UK - HMRC publishes new guidance on short term visitors
HMRC has published new guidance titled Guidelines for Compliance (GfC19) that clarifies the tax implications and steps to take for short-term business visitors (STBV), bringing together its expectations on the Income Tax (PAYE) and National Insurance treatment of overseas employees who visit the UK temporarily for work. This guidance does not introduce new law or policy. Still, it provides the most comprehensive statement to date on what it considers good practice for managing short-term business visitor (STBV) compliance.
New Social Security Scheme 2026 introduced under the Code on Social Security, 2020
The Ministry of Labor & Employment has introduced three new social security schemes under the Code on Social Security, 2020, effective 1 July 2026, fundamentally restructuring the country's provident fund (EPF), pension (EPS), and insurance (EDLI) frameworks. These schemes replace decades-old regulations and introduce special provisions, including enrollment campaigns, damage relief programs, and retrospective exemptions for establishments. The new framework maintains contribution structures while introducing significant operational changes and transitions.
Wage ceiling increased by EPFO
Under the new Code on Social Security, 2020, the Union Cabinet raised the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from INR 15,000 to INR 25,000 per month, being the first revision in 12 years. This transformative change underscores the Government's unwavering commitment to formalizing India's labor market, expanding social security coverage, and reinforcing retirement preparedness, while addressing the increased fiscal responsibilities of managing a growing PF corpus. This pivotal shift challenges employers to rethink workforce management and fiscal strategies, viewing compliance not as a cost but as a strategic investment in enduring organizational resilience.
Mileage Allowance Payments (MAPs) are paid to employees in the UK to reimburse them for using a personal vehicle for business travel. Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are MAPs paid up to a certain amount, set by HMRC, that are automatically not taxable. In May 2026, HMRC increased AMAP rates on cars and vans for the first 10,000 business miles, from 45p to 55p per mile. Rates for motorcycles and bicycles, as well as those for cars and vans for mileage exceeding 10,000 miles, have remained unchanged.
Singapore
Changes in retirement and re-employment age
As Singapore's population ages and people live longer, it is becoming increasingly common for many to continue working beyond what previous generations considered the “retirement age”. To support this shift, the Singapore Government has gradually raised both its retirement and re-employment ages. On 1 July 2026, the retirement age increased to 64 while the re-employment age increased to 69. In other words, employers cannot ask an employee to retire before reaching the statutory retirement age simply because of their age. The re-employment age, by contrast, refers to the age up to which employers must offer re-employment to eligible employees.
Vietnam
Replacement of social security identification number
Effective 1 September 2026, Vietnam Social Security (VSS) is officially using the personal identification number/citizen identification number (ID/CCCD) to replace the social security number across its entire operational software system. Citizens will not need to go through the conversion procedure, and their social insurance and unemployment insurance benefits will remain guaranteed.
Ireland
PRSI rate increased
PRSI rates rose on 1 October 2026, affecting every worker and employer in Ireland. The increase is not a Budget measure. It follows the PRSI Roadmap set by the Department of Social Protection, which raises contribution rates in annual steps and has been designed to keep the State Pension age at 66, address the long-term sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund, and fund the new Pay-Related Jobseeker's Benefit.
New regional mandates across the US and EU went live, legally forcing payroll data structures to transparently justify internal salary ranges.
The US Treasury missed its July 2026 final rule deadline, pushing the official framework for crypto cross-border payroll to January 2027.
Global compliance data showed 75% of international firms struggled with regional regulatory shifts, triggering a wave of cloud-based continuous audit trail tools.
Past Insights
HMRC update on Employee-Related Securities (ERS): UK
HMRC has introduced automatic penalties for late 2025-26 ERS returns and will also modernise ERS templates from November 2026, effective April 2027, with no change to underlying reporting requirements.
Any company that gives shares or share options to an employee or director in the 2025-26 tax year and is already registered with an ERS scheme with HMRC must file an ERS return annually. HMRC has introduced two key developments in Agent Update Issue 147 that employers, payroll teams and tax professionals should act on immediately. These involve stricter enforcement of end-of-year return penalties and upcoming accessibility improvements to ERS return templates.
Key Reforms Under the EPF Scheme, 2026: EEC, VISHWAS and AMNESTY
With the implementation of the new labour codes, the Government is progressively operationalizing them through various notifications of rules and schemes. As part of this transition, the Government notified the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 2026, the Employees' Pension Scheme 2026, and the Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme 2026, on 29 June 2026, replacing the earlier schemes. Alongside the EPF special initiatives 2026, three special initiatives were introduced: the Employees' Enrolment Campaign 2026 (EEC), VISHWAS 2026, and AMNESTY 2026.
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