Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) is considering delaying distribution of bonus dues from the previous year in April this year to the next year in the UK.

The company is considering delaying the bonus until after top income-tax rates fall from 50 per cent to 45 per cent. Several financial institutions including banks are considering delaying bonus payments in order to help their save hundreds of pounds in taxes. However, the banks are not acknowledging their plans due to the recent criticism of multinationals over payment of inappropriate taxes in the UK.

A proposal being considered by Goldman Sachs will benefit some parts of the bonuses from the 2009, 2010 and 2011 that is to be handed to the employees this year in the form of shares in the company. The company is believed to be undecided over the matter of whether to payout bonuses this year or defer the payments into the next year to help employees take advantage of lower income tax.

Goldman Sachs is among the highest payers and estimates shows that the company will pay about £8 billion to pay its staff for 2012. During 2011, the company paid employees an average of £238,000, which is a bit lower than the current year compensation.