2010 - June
Can you rely on advice from the Taxman?
If you need an answer to a tax question, there’s plenty of information on the Taxman’s website. But the advice given is often out-of-date and is constantly changing, so where do you stand if it turns out to be wrong?
Fixing the tax charge on loans
You’re currently arranging a loan from your company, and to avoid taking a hit from the Taxman on this you intend to pay interest at the “official rate”. But if this increases, will you end up with an unexpected tax bill?
How to make a 12.5% profit from the VATman
One of our subscribers was converting an old office building into flats and asked us whether there were any top tax tips we could give her. She had done her research and was pretty clued up, but she nearly missed out on a big VAT saving.
The tax tribunal recently considered the case of an employer who operated a net pay arrangement. He failed to convince the judge that he had permission for this, which cost him thousands in extra tax. How can you dodge this trap?
Tax efficient company share purchase
Where you sell your shares back to your company you can ask the Taxman to apply the Capital Gains Tax rates instead of the less generous ones for income tax. This can save you a bundle in tax, but if he refuses is it all bad news?
New guidance on CAs points to extra tax deductions
When you buy “plant or machinery” for your business it can cost a fair amount of money to install. But it’s estimated that millions of pounds of tax relief on these costs goes begging each year; what are you missing out on?
The Taxman has made a U-turn and broken his promise over tax charges on pension funds. What steps should you take to avoid being hit by a 55% tax charge?
Making backups with your friends
The best way of preventing data loss is to make regular backups. This is possible online as well. Most of these online services deposit your data in data centres, but there are alternatives.
Windows 7 users will quickly have grown accustomed to the new interface and the speed of the operating system. Here are a couple of free programs that let you make Windows 7 even better.
MiFi: your personal Wi-Fi hotspot
Suppose you’re away from home, for instance at a hotel abroad. You need to go online, but there’s no Wi-Fi hotspot around. In such a situation, MiFi or “mobile Wi-Fi” can offer a solution. What is it and how do you use it?
Are you planning a party or another event during the summer? Of course, a get together is nothing without music. Here are three original online tools that can assist you.
Make a snapshot of your screen
You can make screenshots in various ways, for instance by using dedicated software. If you’re planning to start using Office 2010 shortly, you’ll be glad to know it allows you to make screenshots easily. How does it work?
To create a presentation, most people use PowerPoint or one of the popular online office tools such as Google Docs or Zoho Show. But here are four original alternatives.
Image and sound in the new Skype
Skype already accounts for 12% of all long-distance phone calls, with the number of users reaching 500 million last year. A new beta version of Skype is available now. Is it worth downloading?
Google Wave: dethroning e-mail?
Google Wave was launched a year ago and is now finally accessible to everyone. This service combines e-mail with instant messaging, social networking and online collaboration. Is this as revolutionary as it sounds?
When surfing the Web you will come across many interesting pages. If you don’t always have the time to read them immediately, you may lose track of useful information. Instapaper is a Web-based service that can help.
Use Google Maps to explore a foreign city
When paying a short visit to a foreign city, it can be quite a challenge to form a good picture of the entire city as well as explore all its attractions. Can Google Maps help?
Delving into your ancestral roots
Researching your family tree is becoming easier - and therefore more popular - than ever. We look at tools that can get you started or improve your results.
If you’re thinking of buying industrial electrical equipment, such as an air conditioning unit or a heat pump, you might find that it carries an energy label. Where has this come from and is it worth looking at?
If you’ve been using the same packaging materials for many years, not only might you be failing to comply with your legal duties, but you could be missing out on potential cost savings. What should you be looking at?
Which waste legislation applies to your business?
As there is so much waste legislation, it’s a tough task to keep on top of it all. So to help you to identify which pieces might apply to your business, and how, we’ve developed a register. How should you use it?
Prosecuted for polluting a river
A restaurant owned by the renowned chef, Marco Pierre White, has been ordered to pay more than £38,000 for polluting controlled waters. How did it happen and what, if anything, can be learned from this particular case?
Reduce lighting costs without changing fittings
Changing to energy efficient lighting didn’t used to be a cheap or simple exercise, as it usually meant replacing all the light fittings. However, some suppliers are now offering retrofit conversion options. Are they worth considering?
The marketing material pumped out by Ocado stated that using its delivery service was greener than walking to the shops. However, it now appears that it hasn’t been able to live up to its marketing hype. What’s to know?
The previous government couldn’t stop telling us how green it was. So can we expect the same from the new regime?
Insurance companies becoming awkward?
Following a recent survey on your health and safety arrangements by your insurer, you’ve been requested to implement policies, procedures and assessments that you don’t feel you need. How should you deal with this?
Is it OK to lend our ladders to contractors?
During recent redecoration work you discovered that your contractors were working from stepladders which were clearly not big enough for the job. It seemed safer to lend them yours. Did you do the right thing?
What can we store in a corridor?
You’re tight for space in the office and although it’s something you’ve tried to avoid in the past, you’re wondering whether to store some items in the corridor. Can you do it, and if so, what do you need to take into consideration?
Watch out for overhead hazards
Although incidents involving overhead power lines are frequently associated with construction projects, a recent case has highlighted that they can happen at any workplace. What can be learned from this particular case?
A recent investigation conducted by the consumer organisation Which?, has identified that some hire companies are allowing potentially unsafe tools to go out. What’s to know?
Do first aiders need inoculations?
A long-standing first aider has just asked whether he should have had inoculations to protect him from blood-borne viruses before he took on the role. Does he need them now?
According to the charity Drinkaware, over 500,000 employees regularly turn up to work hungover. Is this a safety issue, and if so, what must you do about it?
Tribunal claims at an all time high
Statistics show that more employees than ever are trying their luck at tribunal with a 29% rise in unfair dismissal claims. So if you’re unlucky enough to receive tribunal papers, what must you do?
Should their lunch cost you money?
After a few tough years employees are looking to save costs - one way is through packed lunches. But are you under any obligation to provide a fridge for those who bring them? And what if they have special medical/dietary requirements?
Workplace theft - more than one suspect
Some brand new equipment has gone missing from your premises. But rather than one potential suspect, you have several. If nobody owns up, can you sack them all? And, if this is possible, what process must you follow first?
Summer’s here - let’s get naked!
The temperature only has to go up by a few degrees before people start peeling off the layers. Outfits that are ideal for hot weather might not be appropriate for your workplace. So why is it so important to lay down some ground rules?
Are you liable for racist comments by agency staff?
An agency worker made a racist comment towards an employee. But as you don’t employ them directly can you be penalised for their discriminatory remark? What does the Employment Appeal Tribunal have to say?
Additional paternity rights, but the baby’s arrived early!
If a child is due on, or after, April 3 2011 the father or mother’s partner will be entitled to 26 weeks’ “additional paternity leave”. But babies are rarely on time. So what happens if they arrive before the legal deadline?
According to a recent survey, employees don’t want money - they’re more motivated by flexibility. So if you want to roll this out for all staff, what should you do?
Benefits - to declare or not to declare?
When it comes to filling in Forms P11D there are some tricky rules to cope with. One of these is having to declare and pay NI on benefits-in-kind (BiK) given to your staff by other people. In what circumstances can you ignore this?
End of a capital allowances trap?
The annual investment allowance (AIA) rules contain an in-built trap for businesses that choose to repair or renovate equipment rather than replace it. But does a recent change to the law mean that you can now forget about this?
Will the end of time-to-pay deals mean more surcharges?
Latest statistics show that cash for the government’s Business Payment Support Scheme is drying up. But the good news is the tax tribunal recently took a sympathetic approach in the case of a late VAT payment. What’s the full story?
Can your company make a tax-free gift?
One of our subscribers came up with a neat plan to dodge the benefit-in-kind (BiK) rules when transferring assets from his company. He reckoned that by passing them direct to his wife he could save both tax and NI. But was he right?
When is a gift not a gift for IHT?
The Taxman allows some scope for you to pass your wealth on to the next generation. However, Inheritance Tax (IHT) exemptions come with some tricky conditions. But there’s a little known tax break that’s easy to use; what is it?
Child Trust Funds - going, going, but not quite gone
The government has said that it will scrap the Child Trust Fund. But the axe won’t fall immediately. So what can you do to make sure your child gets their share of this free perk before it disappears completely?
Is there a right way to amend a P35?
This year, most employers submitted their PAYE return (P35) online. But if you need to amend yours, you’ll have to resort to pen and paper. Will this result in a fine?
Manage your downloaded files efficiently
In your browser you can easily download all kinds of useful files and programs. However, managing all these downloads efficiently is more difficult. How do you best tackle this?
Make a backup of your online data
Do you have lots of information stored online; for example, mails at Gmail, photos at Flickr, documents at Google Docs, etc.? How do you back up your online data?
Smarter searching and buying at eBay
Successful buying at eBay is not just a matter of making the right bid at the right time. You should first find the right item to bid on! Here are a couple of services that can help you.
It’s World Cup time again. We review the top sites for football fans and make a few suggestions for those looking to escape the “new religion”.
Digital cameras may be a blessing, but they can also be a curse: before you know it your hard drive will be crammed with thousands of photos. How do you create order in this chaos? Here are four practical tips.
Your business website is also your online business card. So it’s important to choose the appropriate colours. Where can you find online advice and tools to assist you?
When collaborating with several people, everyone has their own calendar with appointments, which makes it difficult to organise a meeting. Are there Web-based tools that can assist you?
Better and faster wireless Internet
You probably have a wireless network at home or at the office. But if its speed and reliability are somewhat disappointing, you can improve them by means of a few minor adjustments. How?
Many Internet users are multitaskers who browse, chat and e-mail simultaneously. But also professionally you will probably have several tasks running at once. Why not create extra work space by using two monitors?
The major webmail services - Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail - regularly come up with new features. What new functions have been added in the past few months?
Are you going on holiday shortly? The following websites can help to ensure a safe and well-planned journey.
Convert important documents to PDF files
Despite every effort on your part, disputes over contracts - particularly payments - can and do arise. Unfortunately, this means you may need to resort to the courts. But the way you save certain information can greatly help. How?
Taxman loses NI argument on benefits
The tax tribunal recently considered the rules that apply for working out income tax and NI where a director has personal use of a company asset. The taxpayer won, but can you rely on this victory to save you NI?
Can an ex-director ever claim a bonus?
The board has decided that it will shortly be paying a discretionary bonus. But an ex-director insists that as his contract didn’t say otherwise he is entitled to this payment too. How did the High Court recently deal with this issue?
New property valuations for business rates took effect from April this year, but they might well be out of date already, meaning that you’re paying over the odds. What’s the problem and what steps can you take to put it right?
When is a director not a director?
Company A is a corporate director of Company B. But suppose something goes wrong within Company B; can the directors of Company A ever be held personally liable? What’s the latest from the Court of Appeal?
Not paying off a loan can save tax
There are two different ways to calculate the taxable benefit-in-kind (BiK) on your director’s loan account. One of them is more tax efficient, but the Taxman has the right to override this; is he likely to do so?
Danger - the new Bribery Act 2010
The Bribery Act 2010 has now been passed and is expected to come into force on October 1. What should you be doing now to prepare for it?
What changes will a new government bring?
Prior to the recent election, David Cameron stated that if he were to become Prime Minister, he would introduce changes to the way the government handles health and safety issues. So now he’s in the job, what’s happening?
A timber merchant has just been fined for breaches of fire safety legislation. But, unlike many similar cases, there’s a twist - the prosecution was brought because of information supplied by the HSE. What’s to know?
Essential checks for directors
In recent months, the spotlight has been put on directors’ responsibilities for managing health and safety issues. So, to ensure that those in a senior position in your company aren’t hauled over the coals, why not use our new checklist?
Obstructed pedestrian route costs £150,000
A contractor has been prosecuted over the death of a worker who was killed by a reversing vehicle. How did this accident happen and what, if anything, can be learned from this particular case?
You want to organise a fun event for staff in the summer, but you’re concerned about the health and safety implications. Is it really as impossible as it seems to have fun without the risk of being sued?
One of your kitchen staff has informed you that they have a blister in the back of their throat that occurred at work. How might this have happened and what steps should you take to prevent a similar incident?
Use a competent asbestos surveyor
The HSE is currently promoting the message that businesses should use competent asbestos surveyors. What does this mean, and should you listen?
Track your vehicles and save fuel
You’ve heard that fitting your vehicles with tracking devices can improve efficiency, cut your fuel bills and give green points to boot. So do these systems really represent a worthwhile investment?
Building design regulations to be amended
In a bid to drive down carbon emissions from new buildings, changes to Part L of the Building Regulations will take effect this October. What will change and what’s now expected of you?
Confused about waste legislation
A recent survey, conducted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), has identified that some companies are confused about what they’re actually required to do by certain pieces of environmental law. What’s to know?
The government recently amended the regulations that cover, amongst other things, the environmental impact of detergent-based substances. What’s new, and how might the changes affect your business?
The recent problems with air travel have caused many people to look at alternative ways of holding meetings, including video-conferencing. What are the benefits of going for the virtual option?
Is your energy company willing to help?
Keen to show that the sector has evolved, more and more energy companies are helping businesses to save on their fuel bills. So what can you expect of your energy provider?
New guidance on low risk waste
The Environment Agency (EA) recently issued updated guidance that sets out its regulatory position on low risk waste activities. What’s covered?