2011 -
September
VAT - 30.09.2011
VAT rules on gifts clarified
Making gifts to your customers or suppliers to engender goodwill is nothing new. However, have recent changes to the VAT legislation created an opportunity to reduce your VAT bill on these?
PENSIONS - 30.09.2011
Will your new pension plan trigger a tax bill?
Recent changes in the pension rules were intended to sort out some of the mess caused by last year’s overhaul of the system. They did, but they also created two traps which can trigger unexpected tax bills. What’s the full story?
COMPANY VANS - 30.09.2011
The Taxman’s more relaxed approach to vans
One of our subscribers is looking to change his company car. He mainly uses it for carrying equipment for his job so he’s considering a van instead. He’s heard that this will save tax and NI, but how much?
INHERITANCE TAX - 30.09.2011
Alternative ways to pay an IHT bill
As an executor, one of your first jobs is to calculate and pay any IHT due. Until you do probate won’t be granted. But if you don’t have probate you can’t access the money in the estate to pay the IHT. How can you get around this dilemma?
RETURNS - 30.09.2011
Double deadline for tax overpayments
The Taxman has become very fussy over claims for tax refunds relating to earlier years. With a special deadline for these falling in January, what steps do you need to take to make sure your claim isn’t rejected?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 30.09.2011
Boosting your capital losses
The stockmarket is taking a hammering and the situation might get even worse. So do you hold on to your shares and hope that they recover or cut your losses and sell. Or is there a way you can do both?
INVESTIGATIONS - 30.09.2011
Taxman checks mortgage applications
The Taxman has just launched his Mortgage Verification Scheme. He says it’s aimed at combating mortgage fraud, but does he have another agenda?
FIRST AID - 26.09.2011
Deciding on first aid cover for events
You’ve noticed that at large events there’s always an ambulance present. How do you know if your event needs one too, and what else do you need to take into consideration when planning medical cover?
EXTRACTION - 26.09.2011
Smoking out your spray booth
If you use a spray booth, you need to know that the extraction system works properly. Is there a relatively simple way of doing this and, if so, is it something that can be completed by your staff?
FIRE SAFETY - 26.09.2011
Fire extinguishers on small construction jobs
You’ve been told that to satisfy legal requirements you need dozens of fire extinguishers on a relatively small construction project. Does the law require you to do this, or are you being sold a line?
ENFORCEMENT - 26.09.2011
Investigation criteria
Government policy now dictates which serious accidents and incidents inspectors from the local authorities and the HSE should investigate. What’s on the list?
WORKPLACE - 26.09.2011
Do you need a handrail on your staircase?
The court’s decision in a recent personal injury case suggests that you don’t need to have a handrail fitted to all parts of a staircase. Is this true, or are they required?
LIGHTING - 26.09.2011
Not such a bright idea
If one of your employees complains that the office lighting is giving them migraines, as an employer recently found out, it’s best to take the matter seriously. What happened?
ENFORCEMENT - 26.09.2011
What price for a notice?
As further information about how the HSE intends to recover costs comes to light, it appears that meeting an inspector could be very expensive. What’s to know?
MICRO-GENERATION - 23.09.2011
Installing ground source systems
Because ground source heating or cooling systems have the potential to cause significant pollution, the Environment Agency (EA) has strict rules that govern their installation. If you’re thinking of getting one, what do you need to know?
CARBON - 23.09.2011
A decent carbon offsetting scheme?
The government has launched a new scheme to provide businesses with a more reliable way to offset their carbon. Is this really something that you should consider using?
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - 23.09.2011
The greenest roof
You’ve heard about putting solar panels or a wind turbine on your roof, but what about plants? Can green roofs really save you energy and cash and, if so, is this something that you should consider?
WRAP - 23.09.2011
New green loan fund available
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has recently announced a new £1 million loan fund aimed at companies looking to reduce their waste through resource-efficient business models. What’s to know?
ENFORCEMENT - 23.09.2011
First company hit with civil sanctions
The Environment Agency (EA) has recently used civil sanctions, its alternative penalty to a criminal prosecution, for the first time. What happened and what are the implications for others found to be in breach of the law?
WATER - 23.09.2011
Focus on water quality
The Environment Agency (EA) has announced that significant progress has been made in cleaning up Britain’s waterways. What could this mean for you?
INHERITANCE TAX - 21.09.2011
Avoiding IHT with QNUPS
A friend has told you that he intends to invest a chunk of his assets in a qualifying non-resident pension scheme (QNUPS) because the funds in them are beyond the Taxman’s reach. Is he right?
VAT - 21.09.2011
Taxman backs down on VAT flat-rate scheme
The Institute of Taxation recently took up the cudgels with the Taxman over incorrect guidance it had published. This might have caused businesses using the flat-rate scheme to wrongly pay VAT on investment income. What’s the full story?
PENALTIES - 21.09.2011
Can relying on your accountant result in a penalty?
The Taxman is keen on pointing out that it’s your responsibility to get tax returns in on time. But if you’ve handed the job to your accountant and your form goes in late, will you face a penalty?
PAYE - 21.09.2011
Is now the right time for a tax dispensation?
A recent report claims that PAYE dispensations are vastly under-used. These informal agreements with the Taxman can be big time savers for employers. But when is the right time to apply for one?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 21.09.2011
Getting your company to pay university fees
One of our subscribers recently asked us whether there was a tax advantage in getting his company to pay his daughter’s tuition fees. And, if so, what steps did he need to take to achieve this?
LOANS - 21.09.2011
Can you afford not to take a salary?
It can take some time before a new company has enough income to be able to afford to pay its directors. This can mean losing out on tax and NI advantages. But is there a way to achieve these without the company having to actually pay you?
INCOME TAX - 21.09.2011
Tax calculations are on the way
Last year the Taxman was forced to write off millions in tax because of blunders he made. Bills for 2010/11 are on the way; can you expect a repeat performance?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 21.09.2011
Sickness absence: can accrued holiday leave expire?
Whilst the European courts have ruled that workers on long-term sick leave can carry over their statutory holiday entitlement into the next leave year, they never confirmed if this right expires. What’s the latest thinking here?
DATA PROTECTION - 21.09.2011
Retaining and destroying personnel records
Each employer is legally obliged to keep a clear personnel record on everyone it employs. But for how long must these details be retained and do you always have to keep them as paper files?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 21.09.2011
Flexible working applications: who is a “carer”?
You’ve recently received a statutory flexible working application from an employee. It’s been made on the basis that they “care for a parent”. Their proposal is workable, but you’re not sure if they qualify. How can you be sure?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 21.09.2011
Disciplinary proceedings: state your accusation(s)
You need to put an employee on notice of a disciplinary hearing regarding their suspected misconduct. How much information should your letter include and why must you get the allegations spot-on?
SOCIAL NETWORKING - 21.09.2011
New ACAS guidance on social networking
Social networking is a valuable business tool, but there’s one major downside: staff can easily abuse it. To help employers deal with this challenge, ACAS has produced some new “cyber” guidance. So what does it include?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 21.09.2011
When are(n’t) reasonable adjustments necessary?
Making reasonable adjustments can be tricky. But what happens if you haven’t been told, or it’s not otherwise obvious, that a particular employee is disabled? Could you come unstuck in tribunal over this?
NEW LEGISLATION - 21.09.2011
Act of bribery: the first prosecution
The first employee to face prosecution under the Bribery Act 2010 is alleged to have requested a £500 bribe. Are smaller amounts being targeted?
SECURITY - BACKUP - 19.09.2011
Restoring files in Windows 7
If you run Windows 7, you will probably be using the tools it offers for making backups. But do you know how you can recover and restore files and folders rapidly and efficiently? Here’s the lowdown.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - MISCELLANEOUS - 19.09.2011
Setting up your own webshop: dos and don’ts
Are you planning to launch an online shop or to convert your current website into a webshop? What things should you bear in mind? Here’s our webshop checklist.
ENTERTAINMENT - VIDEO - 19.09.2011
Downloading streaming audio and video
Do you wish to download a cool online video clip? Or perhaps save an interesting radio programme, which you can in theory only “stream”? Here are some tools and tricks for downloading various kinds of media files.
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES AND SOFTWARE - 19.09.2011
Online collaboration: new tools!
We regularly review useful business tools which aim to facilitate collaboration with colleagues. Here are two newcomers: GroupZap and MangoTasks.
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 19.09.2011
Oops, a virus?
Your computer has been infected by malware… at least, that’s what you suspect. It’s all a matter of finding out whether it’s malware for sure, and if so, how to get rid of it.
COMPUTER - HARDWARE - 19.09.2011
Making your network faster and more efficient
You probably have a home or office network. Is sending and receiving data sometimes slow? Here are some tips and upgrades for making your network faster and more efficient!
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES AND SOFTWARE - 19.09.2011
Make the most of your contacts
In business life, networking is of capital importance. It is therefore essential to maintain and manage all your contacts well. Which services and tools can help you?
E-MAIL - MAILING LISTS - 19.09.2011
A mailing to all your customers
A temporary price discount, a new product range, your business relocating - these are all good reasons for sending a mailing to all your customers. Are there Web services that can help you?
SECURITY - PASSWORDS - 19.09.2011
Close those doors!
Most people always use the same password or stick to a default one as they don’t want strong passwords which are hard to remember. But this approach is far from safe. There are three passwords you should pick very carefully...
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 19.09.2011
Go mobile!
In the past, the “in thing” was to have your own homemade website. Now the emphasis has moved to having your own mobile site or app. The following free services help you to create a simple mobile version of your site.
FINANCE - 19.09.2011
Cheques are bouncing back
The Payments Council has now shelved its plans to abolish cheques. But what about the Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme? Did it also get a reprieve?
CARS - 19.09.2011
Must you pay NI on car allowances?
The tax tribunal recently considered a case where, like in many other businesses, the directors were paid a car allowance. The question it had to answer was, what’s the NI position on these payments?
PERSONNEL - 19.09.2011
Outsourcing your disciplinary proceedings
Disciplinary proceedings are not only tricky to undertake, they can quickly consume vast amounts of management time. So would it make sense to bring in an employment law consultant, or could this approach end up costing you more money?
HEALTH AND SAFETY - 19.09.2011
Health and safety inspections could be expensive
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has outlined plans to recover the cost of its inspectors’ time from companies that are found to have breached the law. What could this mean for you and your fellow directors?
PROPERTY - 19.09.2011
Potential tax break on company-owned property
If the reports are to be believed, property prices are now lower than five years ago and still falling. So might shifting property out of your company into your own name be a smart tax move?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 19.09.2011
Registering your .xxx domain name
On September 7 2011, the .xxx web domain suffix was released. Although it’s intended for use by adult-website owners, anyone can buy it. So why should the directors consider getting one with the company’s name on?
DIRECTORS’ DUTIES - 19.09.2011
Conflicts with non-executive directors
Many companies appoint non-executive directors as “expert advisors” to the board. They are supposed to be independent, but what if you discover that they are also advising a rival? Is that a breach of their duty?
EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY - 19.09.2011
What is “vicarious liability”?
You’ve heard that you can be held “vicariously liable” if someone is injured as a result of your work activities. How might you be caught and can you do anything to avoid it?
FIRE SAFETY - 19.09.2011
Do fire blankets need formal checks?
You know that you need to have your fire extinguishers checked and serviced regularly, but does this duty apply to fire blankets? And if so, is this something that you can do yourself?
POLICIES & RECORDS - PERMIT: NON-ENERGISED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS - 19.09.2011
Managing work on electrical installations
Because of the risks associated with electrical installations, you must ensure that any work on them is tightly controlled. You can do this by using our new permit-to-work: non-energised circuits document. How does it work?
WORKPLACE - 19.09.2011
Gate was not faulty
A recent case examined the cause of an accident in which an employee was injured whilst opening a gate. She claimed that the accident was her employer’s fault but the judge decided differently. What’s to know?
HSE - 19.09.2011
No more free advice from the HSE?
Now that the HSE has closed its Infoline service, does this mean that it will no longer be offering businesses advice on managing health and safety risks? What other options are available?
WORKPLACE - 19.09.2011
Put it in the loft
Although a loft can provide a perfect storage area for equipment or files that aren’t used frequently, a recent case has highlighted some basic safety precautions that should be taken. What should you be doing?
CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER - 19.09.2011
Directors in the dock
Lion Steel Equipment Ltd has just become the second company to face corporate manslaughter charges. Does this mean you’re now at greater risk too?
SEX DISCRIMINATION - 09.09.2011
Favouring a male employee for promotion
You have two equally good internal candidates for a managerial role; one male and one female. As the man has no childcare responsibilities, he’s your preferred choice. Can you automatically promote him over her?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 09.09.2011
Refused a 5% pay cut - is that grounds for dismissal?
When one employer was forced to reduce overheads, all but one employee agreed to a 5% pay cut. As a result, he was later dismissed. What did the Employment Appeal Tribunal say about this decision?
TRIBUNAL AWARDS - 09.09.2011
Read our rules and then sign here!
Numerous employers have lost tribunal claims simply because they couldn’t prove an employee knew about their policies and procedures. But with one easy exercise you can stay on the right side of the law. What is it?
DISCIPLINARY MATTERS - 09.09.2011
Illicit (workplace) encounters with management
Apparently, if the opportunity presented itself, one in five employees would have a personal relationship with their line manager. Although you can’t stop this, it’s still advisable to have a robust policy that sets out your rules. Why?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 09.09.2011
Investigating (fraudulent) sickness absence
It’s been suggested that a sick employee is well enough to work. So you’re thinking about hiring a private investigator to take covert video recordings of them. Can the footage be used as evidence during disciplinary proceedings?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 09.09.2011
Danger: performance managing the disabled
The AA recently lost a disability discrimination claim because it had “performance managed” the work of a diabetic employee. So does this mean you can no longer keep a close eye on those staff who have medical conditions?
AGENCY WORKERS - 09.09.2011
Agency staff - who picks up the tab?
From October 1, agency workers will be entitled to the same basic pay as comparable permanent staff after twelve weeks in the same job. But who foots the bill?
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - 07.09.2011
Using financial statements
Your managing director has asked you to comment on the finances of a potential new customer. You have downloaded a copy of their latest financial statements from Companies House. What should you do next?
CONTRACTS - 07.09.2011
Protecting your business plans with NDAs
Your sales director was recently asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement when pitching for involvement in a major contract. Should your business have something similar for its contractors?
PAPER - 07.09.2011
E-bills to save money?
The big companies have, for some time, been encouraging their customers to receive electronic bills (in some cases they don’t even give the choice of paper). Should you do the same?
WASTE - 07.09.2011
Use your council to cut waste cost
According to new information from the government, the number of councils collecting recycling from businesses is on the rise. Can this help in saving you money?
PAYROLL - 07.09.2011
Calculating paternity leave
You have a paternity leave request to process, including making adjustments to the payroll. You’ve heard about recent changes to the paternity leave rules, so do they still qualify? And is there a way to make the entire process easier?
TAX - 07.09.2011
Dodging NI rises
In April, as part of the government’s drive to raise more cash, the National Insurance (NI) rates were increased for you and your staff. Is there a loophole to counter this extra expense?
BUDGETING - 07.09.2011
Scenario analysis
The current economic downturn looks like it’s going to last longer than most commentators originally thought. In these uncertain times, what can you do to help your business’s financial planning?
CREDIT CONTROL - 07.09.2011
ROTten luck?
A recent case has found that retention of title clauses may not offer adequate protection to suppliers - can you rely on yours?
UTILITIES - 07.09.2011
Electric shock
A new study has found that UK SMEs are wasting £2 billion on inflated electricity prices because they are confused about their contracts and how to switch suppliers. Are you one of them?
COMPUTER - MOBILE - 07.09.2011
The best office suite for your iPad
iPads are cool, but to use them as a laptop replacement you need to be able to perform office tasks on them. Which apps could become your iPad office application?
SOFTWARE - VIDEO - 07.09.2011
Apps showing more than reality!
Here’s a new ICT development: applications which show the real world in combination with digital data: the so-called “augmented reality”. What exactly is it and is it something for you?
ENTERTAINMENT - VIDEO - 07.09.2011
Watching YouTube videos together?
Almost everyone checks out YouTube regularly, and they’re also exchanged intensively via Facebook or Twitter, but did you know that you can also watch them with others?
