2005 - November
News on the home working channel
If you work at home you should claim the extra costs of running a home office. But how much? The Taxman recently published his view on the tax-free status of such expenses. What do you need to know?
You inadvertently prang your car. It’s only a minor bump and, not wanting a big hike in your insurance premiums on renewal day, you decide to settle the matter yourself. How can you make sure that the Taxman will allow this expense?
You’ve heard that new access laws for the disabled have been introduced that could require some expensive alterations to your car park. OK, the car park was beginning to look tatty anyway, but can you really get any tax relief for the cost?
Asking the Taxman for his own TIPs
You suspect that the tax inspector dealing with the enquiry into your business is relying on his own internal material, by insisting that your gross profit percentages are too low. What can you do to get access to his sources?
A delay in the introduction of a new tax scheme for contractors is good news. It’s what the Taxman will do in the meantime that’s the worry. Could this affect you?
A subscriber was asked for information about the people they had entertained over the previous year. Should they have kept a record of this? What’s the Taxman after now?
Personal taxpayers will need to pay any tax they owe for 2004/5 and make a payment on account of their 2005/6 bill, by January 31, 2006. Is there anything you can do at this late stage to keep the Taxman’s hands off your cash?
Teenage helpers are tax savers
Your teenage kids are always asking for extra cash - well they do need the latest of everything! Paying them out of your taxed income seems expensive. Is there a way to get your company to pay them instead?
Practically all companies have to hire temps at one time or another. But what are the pitfalls to be wary of? Could the temp acquire legal protection (which could ultimately hit your own pocket)? And what about fees charged by the agency?
It’s very common for directors to be asked to sign personal guarantees. You might do so thinking that the company’s limited status offers you protection. Is this really the case? If not, how can you protect your personal wealth?
Last month a company director was sent to prison following a fatal accident at his workplace. What can you learn from this tragic case?
In several recent high profile cases, a director of a small limited company has been struck off. Just how likely is this to happen to you? In other words what are the things you really mustn’t get wrong?
As a director, you take a small salary and dividends. You’ve been involved in a minor accident and will be unable to work for a couple of weeks. Are you entitled to Statutory Sick Pay?
As part of your tenancy agreement, you have responsibilities for maintaining the gas fired central heating. You want to make sure there are no safety issues so, who can you call and is there a recommended inspection frequency?
In the event of a serious accident, who’s likely to arrive first - the Health & Safety Executive or the police? Probably the police, but why, and who would have called them?
As you know, you’re required to assess any specific, job-related risks that a female employee faces as a result of her pregnancy. A recent case shows what can easily go wrong if you fail to do this properly. What can be learnt from it?
If the avian flu pandemic materialises, what are the possible health and safety implications for your workplace and how can you prepare for it?
The Christmas rush is nearly here and you’ve decided you need to employ some temporary staff to cope. Who’s responsibility is their safety and what precautions should you have in place with the employment agency?
The threat of a terrorist attack, although remote for most businesses, is still something that should be prepared for. Follow our sample policy and checklist to help you create a procedure for managing the event, just in case.
Our maintenance staff have to clean drains and clear blockages from the toilets. One of them has asked if he needs any vaccinations to protect him. Does he, and if so which ones?
Using interviews to your advantage
A new case has held that once you’ve offered a job to an obviously disabled candidate, it’s too late to claim that you can’t accommodate their disability. So how can you use the interview process to help avoid nasty surprises later?
One of the best ways of ensuring that staff follow your rules and procedures is to have an effective induction process. So what are the key legal issues which it should concentrate on, and why?
From December 5, 2005, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 will allow same-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership with similar rights and obligations as a marriage. So how could this possibly affect you?
You operate an annual shutdown between Christmas and New Year and require staff to save enough leave to cover it. However, one employee hasn’t enough leave left. What are your options?
Should you believe the headlines?
More details have been released on the government’s plans to extend paternity leave. This has led to much press attention, but should you believe all the hype?
With long waiting lists and patchy care, it’s no wonder that many workers value employer-provided medical insurance so highly. So does this mean you should blindly go on paying the premiums?
You want to dismiss an employee with almost twelve months’ service. If you’re able to avoid an unfair dismissal claim, can you breach your own disciplinary procedure in the process? What does new case law say?
You’ve just calculated that your car benefit for this year is going to be enormous. But it’s actually your spouse that uses the car. Can you transfer it to them to reduce your tax bill?
You’d like to encourage a temporary staff member to stay with your business for a month or two beyond their agreed leaving date. Is it possible to do this in a tax efficient manner?
As a taxpayer, your chosen charity can claim a tax repayment on any donations you make. However, there is something you can do to make the most of this generosity if you are a higher rate taxpayer. What is it?
We’ve all heard or seen the Taxman’s ads urging taxpayers to file their 2004/5 self-assessment tax returns online. But is there really anything in it for you and what’s the deadline for taking action?
Is a visiting tax officer within his rights to request a payment there and then, particularly if you haven’t even had chance to discuss it with your advisor? If this happens to you what should you do?
You’re thinking about buying a computer for your family this Christmas. Will you save money if the company buys it instead?
What is “suitable alternative employment”?
Your company needs to make payroll savings. You’ve heard that you should offer suitable alternative employment for anyone whose job is on the line. What does this really mean and how far do you have to go?
It’s agreed in your lease (which you signed!) that the landlord takes care of the major repairs. He’s now refusing to fix the roof. Is it legally safe to withhold the rent until he does the work, or could you be personally liable to pay?
How often have you heard it said that the Internet is the new Wild West - i.e. totally unregulated with complete freedom to do as you please? But is this really the case? What’s the law on electronic business?
As a busy director, you’re often out on the road flitting between meetings. Trouble is, with speed cameras everywhere, you’re at risk of points, a fine and even disqualification. If caught on film, can you ever challenge the evidence?
Avoiding late filing penalties
The company has just received a penalty notice from Companies House for late filing of its accounts. Why have you received this and is there a straightforward way to have the penalty cancelled?
Since we last covered the Control of Noise Regulations, a new guidance note has been published. Does this mean the regulations apply now and if so, what are the implications?
Avoiding Stanley knife injuries
Several of your staff use Stanley-type knives on a regular basis. With statistics for injuries associated with such knives on the increase, how can you ensure they’re used safely?
You’ve just taken on a new forklift operator. When he provided evidence of his training, his certificate showed an expiry date. Is this a new standard and if so, how does it affect your current forklift operators?
You have a large display window in your premises which you haven’t ever considered a safety hazard. However, a recent case has proven it can be. What standard should the glass be and how can you tell if it’s been met?
You’ve heard that “Part P” is the new standard that an electrician’s work must comply with. What is it and does it affect electrical installation works conducted in a commercial environment too?
According to the Met Office, we could be in for a very cold winter. What are the potential health and safety implications and what precautions should you be taking?
The HSE have decided to ban ladders. Fortunately not true, but they are having yet another campaign on working at height and in particular they are focussing on the use of ladders. What’s to know?
Whilst the courts have made it much harder for an employee to succeed in a stress claim, forthcoming legislation may change this. What’s the latest news?
If you’re in the position of having to make an employee redundant, it’s likely that you’ll identify the most suitable candidate and proceed. But is this safe? Could there be another stage to consider first?
Garden leave and restrictive covenants are widely used by employers to protect their business interests. But how far does the law really allow you to go with them? And can they be used in combination?
You probably know that older workers tend to be more productive, take less time off sick and are more reliable than their younger colleagues. But don’t they present more of a safety risk?
You’re proposing to give your staff a 4% pay rise with effect from January 1. But a percentage rise means nothing to them and several have asked how much extra it’ll mean in their take home pay. Is there an easy way to work this out?
Your workplace is ethnically diverse, so you were concerned when you heard rumours that one of your employees is a member of the British National Party. If this is true, can you sack them? What does recent case law say?