2006 - April
Following the Budget, more companies will be eligible to claim tax relief for R&D expenditure but the time limit for doing so has shortened. What’s changed and is this something your company can take advantage of?
If you leave, your shares will be worth…
Companies can insist that a departing employee sell their shares to other employees before leaving. Is this easy to do? If so, what are the tax traps, if any, to be avoided?
During routine compliance visits the Taxman has been asking companies for the names and addresses of any freelancers they use. What’s he after and how can you protect yourself from him?
This summer, the World Cup is sure to provide plenty of distractions for your staff. How can you avoid absenteeism problems at the Taxman’s expense?
Directors always seem to be personally in the line of fire when there are problems. What’s the story when it comes to environmental issues? Should you be worried in light of the latest case law?
You want to get rid of a director whom you suspect of taking back handers. Is it true that directors don’t acquire unfair dismissal protection and that showing him the door should be just a formality?
Every year the VATman produces 20-30 VAT Information Sheets and Business Briefs giving his interpretation of the legislation. However, if you rely on his advice and he later changes his mind, what can you do?
Although he’s very quick to collect, the Taxman’s notoriously slow at making repayments of Corporation Tax when companies have overpaid. How can you get the money back in record time?
Like many successful company directors, you’re considering investing in overseas property. France or Spain seem the obvious contenders but is it really as easy as the estate agents would have you believe?
You need some legal advice on your role as a company director. You’ve heard that a barrister will fit the bill but when you try to hire one, you’re told you have to go through a solicitor. Is this correct?
You’ve heard that the tax break which enabled businesses to give tax-free PCs to staff was scrapped in the Budget. How could this affect you?
The Taxman accepted your latest tax return without any problems. However, you’re concerned that he’s storing up information for a fight next year. Does he really keep individual files and if so, where does he get his information?
One of your dependents needs a car. They don’t work for your company and so wouldn’t be entitled to a company car in their own right. However, would it be tax effective for you have two company cars but let them use one?
Reviews of past and present capital expenditure can yield significant tax savings. What do you need to look out for during a review to optimise your capital allowances claims?
You’d think you’re in the desert
High summer temperatures provide the perfect excuse for not wearing protective clothing. How can you combat this annual problem and ensure your staff remain protected without overheating them?
You’ve found that accident investigation is taking up far too much time. Are there any ways that you can reduce this, whilst still ensuring you have enough facts in case of an investigation or a personal injury claim?
We’ve previously advised about the need to complete manual handling assessments. A recent case shows what can happen if this is done, but not followed. What are the key lessons to be learned?
The government’s just launched a new scheme supposedly to help small businesses cut the cost of ill-health and improve safety standards. Is it really too good to be true?
Water coolers are becoming an increasingly common sight in the workplace. They aren’t an obvious safety hazard, but there are more risks associated with them than you may realise. What are they and how can you reduce them?
You know how important procedures are in the effective management of health and safety. But is there a danger of relying on them too much? How can you get the most from your procedures?
Keeping your premises secure not only reduces the risks to employees’ personal safety, but also limits the risk of being sued by a trespasser for any injury sustained on your premises. So why not use our checklist to reduce these risks?
A subscriber has an employee who called in sick a day before he was due to take a week’s annual leave. He’s now returned to work and wants to treat the whole period as sick leave. How should they deal with this?
You’re aware of the need to comply with the disability discrimination legislation for obviously disabled staff, such as those who are mobility impaired. But following recent case law, what should you have in place for diabetics?
You’re aware that if a male employee makes suggestive comments towards a female colleague it could amount to sexual harassment. But could she claim if she normally engages in such banter herself?
There’s been much media attention recently on the extent of discrimination by employers. But what can you do if a pregnant employee just isn’t performing?
You need to cover an employee’s maternity leave for six months. One applicant turns out to be pregnant herself whilst another is already on maternity leave and doesn’t want to start the job for four months. Is it safe to reject them?
An increasing number of women who have babies are requesting a return to flexible working. It seems that many employers aren’t properly considering such requests. Is it safe to adopt this approach?
You’re thinking of buying another business and have been told the best way to do this is through a company. What’s the most efficient way of getting money into that company to fund this acquisition?
You’ve heard from a colleague that he’s just had the decorators in. According to him, the Taxman will be footing the bill, as it’s being paid for by his company. How is this possible?
For 2006/7, personal allowances are up, the lower rate income tax limit has been extended and NI thresholds raised. Nothing new in that, however, this all has an impact on the dividends you take from your company. Read on.
Paying life assurance premiums to make sure loved ones are adequately taken care of after your death is quite normal. However, have you ever thought about getting a tax deduction for this? Here’s how.
New rules applying to trusts could affect standard clauses to be found in most wills. Do you need to rush out and rewrite yours?
Shortly before you sell a property, could you transfer it into joint ownership to save on Capital Gains Tax? And if so, what are the chances of the Taxman attacking this as a tax avoidance scheme to restore his tax take?
When your lease expired, you refused to sign a new one because the landlord wasn’t prepared to carry out essential repairs. He’s accepting your rent on a without prejudice basis and is threatening to kick you out. What’s your position?
At a recent board meeting, the question of who has authority to enter into contracts on the company’s behalf came up. No one knew the answer. So can anyone bind the company? How can you protect your position?
Rewarding staff, not the VATman
You want to reward staff with a gift of some description, or perhaps a trip out. What will the VATman allow you to recover, if anything? And what if you choose to pay for a meal at a restaurant instead?
Thinking of buying a franchise?
Your company wants to expand and is considering taking out a franchise. All sorts of claims are being made about how much money it could earn. How can you spot a real opportunity from a dud? What should you look out for?
The final age discrimination regulations have just been published. Due to take effect on October 1, how do you need to prepare your company?
One of your employees has asked to see the reference from their previous employer. This was marked as “confidential” so will you be in breach of the Data Protection Act if you refuse to disclose it?
You have to incur expenditure whilst staying away on company business. Is there a limit to the amount the company can pay for overnight expenses, or is there a way to pay a little over the odds?
Does safety legislation that applies to cranes and lifting equipment apply to you? Unlikely if you work in a service industry, unless you have a goods or passenger lift. So what should you be doing about it?
You sent your catering staff on a basic food hygiene course, but you’re not sure if it’s still valid thanks to changes in food legislation. Does their training meet the new standards and if not, what do they need to do?
The importance of failing to conduct proper maintenance has just been looked at in a Crown Court trial. What lessons can be learnt from this case, and how can you ensure a similar event doesn’t happen to you?
You’ve heard that a beard can render some respiratory protective equipment useless. If so, what equipment can it supposedly affect and what options do you have to deal with this hairy problem?
Design out slips and trips hazards
With slips and trips being an enforcement “hot topic” you’re concerned about rumours affecting your shiny floors. Surely an inspector can’t expect you to replace your flooring, especially if it’s new?
Are employers ignoring legal duties?
Despite having legal responsibilities for those who drive at work, new research shows that many employers are ignoring them. What’s the latest news?
One of your employees has just informed you that they’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy. Are there any health and safety implications, and if so, what should you do to ensure their condition doesn’t put them, or others, at risk?
Shift changes. Fair dismissal?
You need to make some alterations to the way an employee works. The primary reason is to save on overtime payments, meaning the employee may lose out. If he refuses to accept the change, would a dismissal be fair?
You’ve carried out a proper disciplinary procedure and come to the conclusion that both are guilty of gross misconduct. Is it OK to dismiss one and give the other a final written warning?
McDonalds is introducing a scheme that allows family members to job-share. Is this something that you should consider too?
You’re having problems with staff taking too much sick leave. You want to discipline them, but don’t know how to set the criteria that will trigger this process. How might the application of a simple formula help?
You’ve given an employee notice of redundancy to expire on a particular day. What’s the position on his statutory redundancy pay if he asks to leave early, say to start a new job?
You need to take on some temporary staff. What are the key things to consider in your dealings with the agency? Will a written contract suffice in preventing these workers from becoming employees?