Does a Company Director have to be on the Payroll?

Posted on 14th February 2023 by Joanne Stoneman

We are quite often asked this question, particularly in relation to a Non-Executive Director (NED) role.

Does a company director have to be on the payroll?

We are quite often asked this question, particularly in relation to a Non-Executive Director (NED) role.

While being a director isn’t by itself an employment, legislation deems it to be one for PAYE income tax and NI purposes.

We would recommend you draw up a separate contract for any self-employed work the NED does taking care to avoid terms and conditions that would make it an employment. Make two payments, one for the work for the advisory or consulting work and another through PAYE for the directorship (NED) work.