Microsoft is really pushing the “laptop replacement” concept with the new Surface Pro 3. The device should appeal to business users preferring to remain in a Windows environment while on their tablet, rather than using Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. Of course, as we shall see, the Surface Pro 3 is much more than just […]
Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay
What you can reclaim As an employer, you can usually reclaim 92% of employees’ Statutory Maternity (SMP), Paternity and Adoption Pay. You can reclaim 103% if your business qualifies for Small Employers’ Relief. You get this if you paid less than £45,000 in Class 1 National Insurance in the last complete tax year before the […]
Women are more likely than men to send in their tax return on time
Women are more likely than men to send in their tax return on time, an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) analysis has revealed. For every 10,000 tax returns received last year by HMRC from men, 394 were after the relevant deadline – 31 October for paper submissions and 31 January for online returns. This compares […]
Have you utilised your exempt amount for capital gains tax purposes
As we are approaching the end of the 2014-15 tax year, individuals who own assets that are subject to capital gains tax (CGT) may be advised to consider the comments made in this article. If you dispose of a chargeable asset between 6 April 2014 and 5 April 2015 you are allowed gains of up […]
Government launches Pension Wise service
Pension wise will offer free and impartial guidance to people on the new pension freedoms which come into effect in April 2015. Pension wise will be a first port of call for consumers, offering free and impartial information and guidance to people with a defined contribution pension approaching retirement. From April 2015, over 300,000 individuals […]
Managing Business Growth
Growth is essential to any business. Why? If your firm is not growing then it is losing ground to its competitors. In some instances, the firm will be able to attract better staff as a result of being a more efficient and significant player in its chosen market. Other benefits provided by growth are the […]
Top ten excuses for late filing
As most self employed persons, certain pensioners and high income earners will be aware their self-assessment tax returns for 2013-14 have to be filed by the end of January 2015 in order to avoid late filing penalties There are also other costs (possible interest and further penalties) if you fail to pay your tax on […]
Employing staff for the first time
According to the tax office there are six things you need to consider when you are employing staff for the first time. They are: Decide how much to pay someone – you must pay your employee at least the National Minimum Wage. Check if someone has the legal right to work in the UK. You […]
The New Enterprise Allowance
ver 450 new businesses every week have been set up over the last year thanks to a government scheme which helps people on benefits to become their own boss. The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) helps jobseekers, lone parents and people on sickness benefits with a good idea to set up their own business. New figures […]