2014 -
May
BENEFITS - 30.05.2014
Tax troubles for homeworkers and their employers
You’ve introduced homeworking for your staff. They’ll need PCs which you’re happy to provide, subject to them making a contribution for personal use. But would it be more tax efficient for employees to buy the equipment and you reimburse them?
CORPORATION TAX - 30.05.2014
When are entertainment costs tax deductible?
HMRC has raised a query on your company’s latest accounts regarding the tax deduction claimed for the costs of your sales campaign. It says they count as business entertainment and so aren’t tax deductible. Is this correct?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 30.05.2014
Are you paying too much National Insurance?
If you have more than one paid job you could be paying too much NI. In theory HMRC should check and repay what’s due to you, but often that doesn’t happen. How can you get your money back and stop overpayments in the future?
PAYE - 30.05.2014
New interest charges now apply
Employers are under the cosh again. This time it’s for in-year interest charges on late PAYE payments. What steps can you take to avoid them?
VAT - 30.05.2014
A safe way to delay VAT
HMRC has tough rules about when you must pay the VAT you’ve charged your customers. But where it relates to certain types of service, a loophole allows you to defer payment. How can you take advantage?
TERMINATION PAYMENTS - 30.05.2014
Paying off a colleague tax free
A fellow director is calling it a day after many years of loyal service. The board want to give him a send off with a tax-free cash lump sum. Your accountant says HMRC’s rules won’t allow it. Is there a legitimate way around them?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 30.05.2014
Who gets ER when you sell your company?
A tribunal was asked to decide if an unpaid worker was entitled to entrepreneurs’ relief (ER) when she sold her shares in a company buy-out. What was the tribunal’s decision and why might it be important for small companies?
TAX - BENEFITS IN KIND - 29.05.2014
World Cup winning tax breaks
One of our subscribers is installing a TV in the firm’s common room. He hopes football-mad staff will spend their breaks watching there rather than skiving off to watch at home. The idea also has potential tax advantages. What are they?
TAX - HOME OFFICES - 29.05.2014
Tax breaks for portable home offices
You’re having an outside office, which you’ll use for business, installed in your garden at a cost of £15,000. For optimum tax efficiency who should own it, you or your company?
PERSONNEL - 29.05.2014
It wasn’t a cigarette, I was vaping!
One of your employees was spotted “smoking” whilst driving a company vehicle. Having launched an investigation, the individual is insisting it was an e-cigarette, not a real one? Can you still take disciplinary action?
FINANCE - 29.05.2014
Bank compensation deadline
Time is nearly up for businesses to claim compensation for mis-sold loan arrangements. Should you be taking action now?
SHAREHOLDERS - 29.05.2014
Verbal agreement to purchase shares: is it binding?
Let’s suppose that you’ve entered into verbal negotiations regarding the purchase (or sale) of shares in a private company, but there’s no written share purchase agreement yet. Are the discussions legally binding?
COST CUTTING - 29.05.2014
Outsourcing: examining the pitfalls
To save the company money, you’re considering outsourcing certain business functions rather than running them in-house. If you go down this route, there are two potential pitfalls. How can they be avoided?
COMPANY LAW - 29.05.2014
Turn your Ltd company into a Plc
One of your fellow directors, who’s in charge of marketing, has suggested making your company a Plc to improve its image. Can you simply apply to Companies House for a name change or is there more involved?
MARKETING - 28.05.2014
Green marketing initiatives
You may have noticed that more and more companies are promoting their green credentials. Why are they doing this and should you follow suit?
WATER - 28.05.2014
Paying too much for your drainage charges?
With water and sewerage charges increasing by as much as 5% in 2014/15, focusing attention on drainage and sewerage will provide financial benefits, earn green rewards and prevent blockages to boot. What should you look at?
WASTE - 28.05.2014
Register of waste legislation
To stay on top of your legal duties, you need to be aware of the legislation that applies to your business. To help, we’ve developed a detailed legal register. This section of the document is focused on waste legislation.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS - 28.05.2014
Permit data submission to be made easier
Businesses covered by environmental permitting will have to submit much less information to the government as systems are digitised. What’s happening and how will it help?
MICRO-GENERATION - 28.05.2014
Is the future brighter for solar?
The government has published its solar strategy as it tries to increase the number of commercial properties installing this technology. What does it say and will it mean that solar is likely to become a more viable option?
GREEN INITIATIVES - 28.05.2014
Sustainable commuting: grants available
A new grant is available to small businesses in the South East to encourage staff to be more sustainable when it comes to commuting. What can you spend the money on and is it worth applying?
ENERGY SAVING - 28.05.2014
Finding the correct lux levels
You’ve been told that it’s simple to identify whether you are providing too much light and therefore using too much energy. Is this really the case and, if so, how should you complete the task?
CONSUMER - AUCTIONS - 27.05.2014
Tips for the budding eBay buyer
Buying things on eBay is very different to buying in an ordinary online shop. There are certain aspects you should pay careful attention to, especially if you buy something on eBay for the first time.
PROPERTY - 27.05.2014
Office space wanted - where to look?
Many SMEs need to upgrade to larger or more modern premises, or change location. Start-ups need to get going. Where’s the online assistance?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL ADRESS - 27.05.2014
Switching to a new e-mail address
Suppose you’re planning to change your e-mail address for one reason or another. What do you need to pay attention to in order to do this as efficiently as possible?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 27.05.2014
Writing without Word
Do you use Microsoft Word for writing texts or letters? Word is an excellent word processor, of course, but it’s quite expensive. Fortunately, there are lots of good alternatives. Which program should you try?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COLLABORATION - 27.05.2014
Online brainstorming
If you wish to brainstorm with colleagues or business associates about a topic, you don’t need to be at the same location. The new Stormboard now offers an online platform for this purpose. We put it to the test for you.
SEARCHING - COMPUTER - 27.05.2014
Faster and better searching in Windows 8
At one time or other, you will inevitably have to locate a file or program among the thousands of items on your hard drive. In Windows 8, it may not always be very clear how to go about this most efficiently. Here are some tips.
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 27.05.2014
Make your presentations more interactive
While you’re giving a presentation, the audience can normally only listen to what you’re saying and take notes. However, the EverySlide webtool lets you make your slideshows really interactive. We take a look.
SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 27.05.2014
Making a backup of your browser
Your browser contains lots of favourites, plus your personal settings and all kinds of add-ons. Therefore, a backup may come in handy after a hard-disk crash disk or when you buy a new computer. How do you do this?
SOFTWARE - READING - 27.05.2014
Reading faster on your tablet or in your browser
If you often use your tablet or browser for reading text, you may have wondered if you can speed up your reading. Using the proper “speedread” software, you can indeed save some time. How does it work?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSHOP - 27.05.2014
Sell more in your webshop
Only one in five webshop visitors has the intention of buying something. How do you make your visitors click on the “Order” or “Buy” button more often?
SOFTWARE - COMPUTER MANAGEMENT - 27.05.2014
Your desktop - the wood or the trees…?
Your computer desktop has probably become a hodgepodge of shortcuts to programs, documents, spreadsheets, invoices, photos, Internet links, etc. Surely you can do better than that!
CONSTRUCTION - 27.05.2014
HSE publishes its construction division plan
Because of the high risks associated with construction work, the sector is constantly under the HSE’s scrutiny. What are the inspectors’ priorities and, following the issue of a new plan, what’s in store?
MANUAL HANDLING - 27.05.2014
Failure to manage manual handling is costly
The High Court has considered the case of a nurse who developed chronic pain disorder following an accident at work. What happened and what should managers have done to prevent it?
ENFORCEMENT - 27.05.2014
Seven-year inspection warning
You’ve kept your nose clean with no incidents/accidents or problems with the HSE. So why are you now at greater risk of being inspected?
RIDDOR - 27.05.2014
Which “dangerous occurrences” need to be reported?
When the HSE amended RIDDOR a great deal was made of the simplified reporting requirements. But did the 2013 version of the Regulations reduce the obligations to report dangerous occurrences?
CONSTRUCTION - 27.05.2014
Beware of underground services - such as trains!
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has reported on an incident which proves just how important it is to check what’s in the ground before piling or starting deep excavations. What happened?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 27.05.2014
How should we carry out air sampling?
A risk assessment has identified that air monitoring should be undertaken to measure exposure to certain chemicals at your premises. How should you go about specifying the work and selecting a consultant?
FIRE SAFETY - EXTINGUISHERS - 27.05.2014
How much should extinguishers cost?
You’ve never paid much attention to the price of fire extinguishers. However, the size of a recent bill has concerned you. What should you be paying for units and servicing?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 21.05.2014
Can you have a “no flexible working requests” rule?
On 30 June 2014 the right to request flexible working will be extended to all employees. Could you save yourself the hassle of dealing with any applications by having a “no flexible working requests” rule?
DRESS CODES - 21.05.2014
Staff uniform: must you pick up the bill?
For a variety of reasons, you’re thinking about introducing staff uniforms. If you do this, can you insist that an employee pays for it out of their own pocket or are you obliged to supply the uniform free of charge?
PROBATION - 21.05.2014
Are probation periods pointless?
It’s been suggested that probation periods are pointless because new employees can only claim unfair dismissal once they’ve accrued two years’ continuous service. So should you bother with them or not?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 21.05.2014
World Cup fever: how to manage the headaches
Between 12 June and 13 July 2014, some of us will be gripped by World Cup fever. What personnel-type headaches could this event present for you and how can you manage them effectively?
RECRUITMENT - 21.05.2014
An inconvenient interview time
You’ve made arrangements to interview all the potential candidates for a job role on a particular day. However, one has since contacted you to say that the time they’ve been given is inconvenient. Must you rearrange their slot?
GROSS MISCONDUCT - 21.05.2014
Several acts of misconduct: is that gross?
An employee has committed a few acts of misconduct in close succession. Individually, they only warrant a written warning. Can you add them all up and allege this is actually a matter of gross misconduct?
TRIBUNALS - 21.05.2014
Fitness bracelets and tribunal claims
Some legal experts claim that your employees could use the data captured by fitness bracelets as the basis for tribunal claims. Is this really true?
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 12.05.2014
Windows 8.1 Update: good at last?
A new free update for Windows 8.1 has been released. It comes with a number of major changes and improvements. Has Windows 8.1 finally become useful to the ordinary desktop user?
SECURITY - PRIVACY - 12.05.2014
Gmail with fewer ads
Gmail is an excellent webmail service, but it “scans” all your e-mails automatically and then displays discreet ads. There are some tricks for reducing the number of these personalised ads. What are they?
CONSUMER - ONLINE SHOPPING - 12.05.2014
News from the supermarket war front
Supermarkets are doing whatever is necessary to attract customers. We check out what the main players are doing online.
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 12.05.2014
Communicating in the cloud
We previously reviewed Jive, a cloud tool which allows you to share information about projects among team members. Let’s now put a cheaper alternative to the test: Inc.
LEISURE - PHOTOGRAPHY - 12.05.2014
A portable camera with “reflex” qualities
Would you like to take better pictures than with a smartphone camera or “point-and-shoot” and yet remain portable? One possibility is to use a so-called “Micro Four Thirds” camera. What is it?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - SITE DESIGN - 12.05.2014
A “call to action” button that really works?
A “call to action” button is a conspicuous button on a webpage which encourages visitors to perform a given action, for example buy a product. Here are some tips for optimising the effectiveness of such a button.
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 12.05.2014
Windows XP and Heartbleed: two major security risks
Two major security problems hit the news headlines recently: the end of Windows XP and the Heartbleed bug. What is this all about and what precautions should you take?
E-MAIL - WEBMAIL - 12.05.2014
Zoho Mail: for advanced users
Although Zoho Mail is dwarfed by Gmail and Outlook.com, it has proved an excellent alternative for these big shots. It offers all the basic e-mail functions, but how about the more advanced features?
COMPUTER - MONITORS - 12.05.2014
Multiple screens in Windows 7 and 8
More and more people use multiple monitors simultaneously: the only thing you need is an extra monitor and a computer with multiple video ports. How do you configure this in Windows 7 and 8?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE CALENDARS - 12.05.2014
Useful tips for Google Calendar
Over the years Google Calendar has developed into a calendar tool which deserves its place in the professional environment. Here are some new tips for how to make the best use of Google Calendar.
WEB SERVICES - VIDEO - 12.05.2014
Instructions in a video
To familiarise customers or colleagues with a website or the operation of an application, you can record an instruction video. Which web-based tools make this possible?
INHERITANCE TAX - 12.05.2014
How to make IHT-effective gifts but keep your money
You’ve sold your business for a big pot of cash. If you die, a large chunk will be lost in IHT. To avoid this you could make gifts to your family, but you want to be sure you keep enough for your old age. Is there a scheme to suit both aims?
VAT - 12.05.2014
Online trading fees - is there a VAT problem?
Your company has been doing well over the last few years from its eBay sales, but you’ve just discovered you’ve been charged VAT on the sales commission you pay. Can you simply reclaim this or is there more involved?
PAYE - 12.05.2014
Agency rules and IR35
Tough new rules aim to close the loophole that allowed workers to avoid PAYE where they were paid through an agency. HMRC says that the rules can catch companies as well as individuals. Is this effectively IR35 by the back door?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 12.05.2014
Selling your company for loan notes
You’ve received an offer from another company to buy your business that will result in a large capital gain. However, some of the payment will be in so-called loan notes. Might these save you tax?
EXPENSES - 12.05.2014
Job expenses - what’s the best way to pay them?
While preparing the 2013/14 P11Ds your bookkeeper has spotted a problem. He says PAYE should have been deducted from the expenses payments made to your employees. Can he really be right?
LOANS - 12.05.2014
Can borrowing from your partner save tax?
Your company needs extra working capital. Your other half has suggested that as her savings earn interest at a paltry rate she can lend the money for a reasonable rate of interest. How can you structure the deal for maximum tax efficiency?
PAYMENTS - 12.05.2014
HMRC to speed up CIS refunds
HMRC is at last making moves to speed up CIS refunds due to companies. What can you do to help the process?
RAISING FINANCE - 12.05.2014
Is equity crowdfunding still an option for new ventures?
In April 2014 new rules came into force to help regulate the equity crowdfunding industry. Some claim these thin the “crowd” of potential investors, so if your company needs cash for a new venture, is it an option still worth considering?
COMMUNICATIONS - 12.05.2014
A cheap way to text?
Do you, like millions of other people, send dozens of text messages via your smartphone every day? If so is there a way to pay very little or even nothing for these texts?
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT - 12.05.2014
Using EBITDA to measure profitability
The managing director wants to monitor the performance of the business using EBITDA as the key measure of profitability. As financial controller, you’re uncomfortable with changing to EBITDA from “profit before tax”. Who’s right?
PROPERTY COSTS - 12.05.2014
Space management
Your business is coming to the end of its lease and the board is looking to save money on these costs going forward. What can you suggest to transform the cost of occupying premises?
spreadsheet - 12.05.2014
Data validation and drop-down lists
If you’ve created a sheet in Excel that you want others to fill in, e.g. an expenses claim form, there’s a useful data validation tool which, as well ensuring the information entered is what you wanted, can create drop-down lists. How does it work?
STAFF COSTS - 12.05.2014
Motorway meetings
If your business has staff dotted about all over the place getting them together in one place can be tricky and expensive. Could motor service stations offer a low-cost alternative?
OFFICE COSTS - 12.05.2014
Laser or inkjet?
Printers are one of the most expensive items to run for a small business. One subscriber wants to know whether she should invest in an inkjet or laser printer, and how the costs compare?
MOTORING - 12.05.2014
Cutting the cost of idling
Many drivers leave cars and vans running whilst delivering, taking a call or even having lunch. This costs you money if they’re part of your company fleet. How much could you save through a simple awareness campaign?
PAYROLL - 12.05.2014
Time to correct a 2013/14 RTI return?
HMRC has published a new flowchart to help employers who need to amend a 2013/14 RTI return. What’s the latest date you can make a change?
CASH FLOW - 12.05.2014
Dealing with extended payment terms
Your biggest customer has written to all its suppliers including your company, stating that it’s imposing 90-day payment terms. You want to keep the business but know that this move will damage your cash flow, so what should you do?
DIRECTORS’ DUTIES - 12.05.2014
Board meeting minutes: what were you thinking?
Board meeting minutes aren’t just a legal requirement, they can give insight into what the directors considered when a particular decision was reached. Why shouldn’t anything be left out?
LANDLORD AND TENANT - 12.05.2014
Can the landlord keep the fixtures?
Notice has been given on your commercial premises which the landlord has accepted. However, it’s also directed that no fixtures may be removed, even though the company paid for and installed them. Surely it can’t demand this?
ONLINE SELLING - 12.05.2014
Changes to distance selling rules
On 13 June 2014 new Regulations come into force which will make the distance selling rules more onerous to comply with. As most smaller companies aren’t prepared for the changes, how can you ensure compliance?
COMPANY TAX - 12.05.2014
Tax advantages - interest v dividends
No one method is guaranteed to be the most tax-efficient way to extract profit from your company. Dividends usually get the nod, but if you have money invested in your company, taking interest instead might be the way to go. Why?
CARS - 12.05.2014
Company cars - new tax rules
In February 2014 the Upper Tax Tribunal ruled that a scheme which involved leasing cars to employees to reduce the benefit in kind tax was valid. Can your company use a similar arrangement to lower the tax on your company car?
CONSTRUCTION - 12.05.2014
Firm fined for workers’ concrete burns
To the uninitiated concrete may seem relatively harmless. However, substances containing wet cement can cause serious burns and other long-term effects. What happened in a recent case and what types of precaution are required?
LEGISLATION - 12.05.2014
Continuation of the legislation clear out
The HSE has repealed and revoked some long-standing pieces of legislation, including the Factories Act and the Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act. Have they been replaced and, if not, what’s the likely impact for you?
