In last year’s Finance Act it was announced that the VAT rules for dealing with prompt payment (or early settlement) discounts would be changing from 1 April 2015. HMRC have now issued brief 49/2014 setting out guidance for businesses affected by the change, many of whom may need to change their invoicing procedures. The change […]
Staff loans for would be tenants
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis announced recently government-wide support for a new scheme that will become available to thousands of potential tenants. The minister said he was determined to “create a bigger, better private rented sector”. All of Whitehall has now agreed to offer deposit loans to staff looking to take up new tenancies in the […]
Business rates revaluation 2017
In preparation for the 2017 Revaluation, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is sending out forms to ratepayers from January asking for information about their property and business. This is to help the VOA update the rateable values of all business properties which are used by councils to calculate the business rates they pay. If you […]
Implementing Your Business Plan
Many are familiar or have maybe even worked with teams who set strategic goals for the organisation, but fail to create an operational process to achieve them. A disproportionate amount of time is spent on the strategy compared to the detailed plan of implementing and executing that strategy. All too often, managers attempt to point […]
End of Year PAYE Return
Prior to the introduction of RTI, employers were required to complete an end-of-year checklist and declaration on form P35 and submit to HM Revenue and Customs. Under RTI this was replaced by the final full payment RTI submission which included a similar checklist and declaration. HM Revenue and Customs have recently announced that from 6 […]
Tax Diary February/March 2015
1 February 2015 – Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 30 April 2014. 19 February 2015 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 February 2015. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 February 2015.) 19 February 2015 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly […]
Snugglebundl wins appeal
In a recent case considered by the courts a company that sold a baby lifting blanket appealed a ruling by HMRC that the supply was standard rated for VAT purposes. For the company this placed them at a competitive disadvantage as retail outlets selling the item were required to charge VAT at 20%. At […]
Home based businesses and business rates
The local property tax you pay, in England and Wales, will be either Council Tax or Non-domestic (business) Rates depending on the type of property. Some properties are part business and part domestic, so you may pay both taxes. Good examples are public houses where the publican lives on the premises or shops where the […]
What is a reasonable excuse for late filing
You may feel aggrieved that you were unable to file your return on time for a perfectly valid reason. If you want to appeal against any penalties charged there is a formal appeals procedure you should follow. In order to convince HMRC to withdraw their penalty notice you will have to convince them that you […]