The Government has confirmed that from 6 April 2017, tax restrictions for people looking to sell annuities will be removed, giving those with existing annuity, and anyone who purchases an annuity in the future, the freedom to sell their right to future income streams for an upfront cash sum. Currently, people wishing to sell their […]
Brand Consistency
Your firm’s brand isn’t what you say it is. Your brand is what your customers say about your firm when they speak to others about your business. The brand is the personality your business has developed through your leadership and the systems you and your management team have put in place. Customers will be treated […]
Contracting out of additional State Pension ends 5th April 2016
From 6 April 2016 employees of contracted-out defined benefit (DB) schemes will automatically be brought back into the State Pension scheme and will no longer be able to use a contracted-out salary related (COSR) occupational pension scheme to contract out of the State Scheme. Employees will, depending on their level of earnings, start to accrue […]
Overseas Expansion
Overseas expansion Given the increasingly global business world that we all now inhabit, perhaps 2016 is the year to consider expanding your business into overseas markets. Consider these factors when creating your overseas expansion strategy: Economic conditions: Probably the most important factor to consider is the economic performance of the country in which you want […]
Consultation on 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax Supplement on second homes from April 2016
HMRC are consulting on the details of the higher rates of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) on purchases of additional residential properties announced in the 2015 Autumn Statement. The Government will include detailed rules in the Budget on 16 March 2016. The higher rates will not apply if at the end of the day of […]
Trends to watch in 2016
Social Selling With social media platforms making major moves to enable social selling with original brand content, businesses will have to expand their messages in order to influence their target markets. As users’ activities continue to evolve, businesses will have to innovate their social selling strategies. That’s all the more reason for businesses to focus […]
Single Director Companies excluded from £3,000 NIC Employer’s Allowance!
From 6 April 2016 the Employment Allowance increases from £2,000 to £3,000, but if you’re the only employee in a company, and also the director, your company will no longer be eligible for the NICs Employment Allowance. HMRC is currently consulting on the draft legislation for this change which will mean that the £3,000 allowance […]
Setting staff goals & objectives for 2016
Motivating and retaining talented employees is important in any business. Setting goals, standards and objectives for employees and putting an appropriate appraisal process in place allows your team of people the opportunity to have their hard work recognised by the business. The best way to do this is to clearly set out and agree expectations […]