2016 -
October
INVOICING - 28.10.2016
What are the advantages of self-billing?
Self-billing enables the customer to produce the sales invoice on behalf of the supplier. This can have advantages for both parties. What are they, and do you need to obtain approval from HMRC to operate this system?
VAT INSPECTIONS - 28.10.2016
More “focused” VAT inspections
Over the past few years HMRC has changed the way it deals with businesses. What is the new approach to inspections?
OVERSEAS ISSUES - 28.10.2016
Land-related services from an overseas supplier
If you get an overseas construction firm to carry out building works for you, or an overseas supplier to provide land-related services, you may have a liability to account for VAT on their behalf. What do you need to know?
USE OF BUSINESS ASSETS - 28.10.2016
Change from intended use of a business asset
What happens in respect of VAT when a business buys an asset and intends to use it to make taxable supplies but the actual use is different from the original intention?
DONATIONS - 28.10.2016
Is VAT due on donated goods or services?
If your business wants to donate goods or services to a good cause, there can be VAT traps for the unwary. How can you use alternative strategies to avoid them and save yourself tax?
COMPOSITE RATES - 28.10.2016
Building projects subject to more than one VAT rate
Building developments can often be subject to different rates of VAT for the same project. This can make invoicing messy and time consuming - is there a way of simplifying the process?
SEARCHING - VIDEOS - 28.10.2016
Watch and learn!
The Internet is not only full of fun and entertaining videos: you can also find lots of informative and instructive ones too. What are the good online resources?
SOFTWARE - CHAT - 28.10.2016
Google Allo: an alternative to WhatsApp?
Google recently launched Google Allo, its own free chat program for iOS and Android. What does it have to offer and how does it compare with competitors WhatsApp and iMessage?
WEB SERVICES - VIDEO - 28.10.2016
Live streaming using the proper app
You may already be familiar with Periscope as a good app to livestream video images. However, there are lots of alternatives which also allow you to stream video in real time. What do these apps have to offer?
WEBSITE SECURITY - 28.10.2016
Moving from HTTP to HTTPS
Google will soon classify websites that aren’t fully protected as hazardous. Here is some advice on how SMEs and others can take steps to avoid problems.
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 28.10.2016
E-mailing efficiently in Outlook
Do you use Outlook for your e-mail and your online calendar? Here are nine tips to help you use Outlook more efficiently.
SECURITY - PASSWORDS - 28.10.2016
A “social” login? Be careful!
More and more websites allow you to sign in using your Facebook, Twitter or Google login. How does a “social login” work and what should you pay attention to when using it?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 28.10.2016
How important is it to have a fast website?
Broadband and 4G make it possible to surf the web increasingly fast. This increases users’ expectations. How important is it that your website loads immediately?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 28.10.2016
Gmail and Google Inbox on your desktop
Wouldn’t it be handy if you were able to use Gmail and Google Inbox as desktop e-mail applications and not as a website in your browser? Wmail makes this possible.
COMPUTER - SMARTPHONES - 28.10.2016
Manage the contacts on your smartphone
Perhaps it’s time you created some order in your contacts list on your smartphone, or maybe you have to transfer your contacts to a new device? There are various solutions open to you.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - FORUM - 28.10.2016
A forum on your website?
Facebook and Twitter are popular ways to organise online conversations for businesses and associations etc. But a classic forum on your website also remains a good option. How do you create one?
TAX PLANNING - 25.10.2016
Shifting your tax bill the easy way
Special rules apply to income received from assets which are jointly owned by married couples. They allow you to vary the share of income on which you each pay tax. How can you use these rules to create tax savings?
INVESTMENTS - 25.10.2016
Investing in another company tax efficiently
One of your friends is looking for investors in his company and has offered you shares in it. You’re going to buy them, but is it more tax efficient for you to do so through your own company or personally?
PROPERTY - 25.10.2016
Landlords challenge to new rules fails
In October 2016 a judge blocked the “Axe the tenant tax” challenge to the government’s decision to cut tax relief on buy-to-let loans. What’s the full story?
PENSIONS - 25.10.2016
The pensions annual allowance trap
A couple of years ago you paid £50,000 into a pension and claimed the tax relief. This made use of your annual allowance, but HMRC says that a little-known rule means you weren’t entitled to it. What is it referring to?
COMPANY TAX - 25.10.2016
When does the new winding-up tax rule apply?
Confusion over the latest anti-avoidance rule, which affects owner managers who wind up their companies, has forced HMRC to issue a statement clarifying its position. What does it say?
GIFTS - 25.10.2016
Tax and Christmas gifts
It’s that time of year where you’re faced with the chore of buying seasonal gifts. The tax and VAT treatment depends on the value of the gift and who it’s for. Gifts can be tax efficient, but how can you ensure that they are?
COMPANIES HOUSE - 24.10.2016
New style accounts rejected
Companies House says it rejected the accounts of more than 5,000 companies in August 2016. What’s the reason and what steps can you take to avoid similar trouble?
COST CUTTING - 24.10.2016
You’ve got mail, but do you want it?
You’re fed up with the amount of junk mail which arrives each day with the post. A colleague says that you can stop at least some by asking Royal Mail not to deliver it. Is he correct?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 24.10.2016
Delegated tasks and the directors’ liability
The directors are thinking about delegating key responsibilities to certain employees. If those individuals know about a problem but keep quiet, can the directors claim ignorance if something goes wrong later on?
TAX - PROFIT EXTRACTION - 24.10.2016
Salary or a dividend, which is right for you?
The end of your company’s financial year is not far away and it’s been a good year. You’ve decided to pay yourself a little extra. But because of the new tax rates will you still save tax by taking it as a dividend instead of extra salary?
TAX - LOANS - 24.10.2016
How to escape increased taxes on company loans
HMRC’s official rate of interest is at an all time low. That’s good news if you’ve borrowed money from your company, but eventually the rate is bound to rise. Is there a way to dodge a corresponding increase in your tax bill?
BUSINESS RATES - 24.10.2016
What are your business rates going to be?
On 1 April 2017 new rateable values - which are used to calculate business rates - take effect. How can you check what your business rates are likely to be from that date and are you able to challenge a rateable value?
PACKAGING - 24.10.2016
Are fewer plastic bags being used?
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the charge on plastic bags has cut use by 85% in England. But small businesses might be paying the price for the new policy’s success. Why?
STATUTORY NUISANCE - 24.10.2016
Firm relocated to avoid smelly neighbour
A company has been prosecuted for failing to deal with a nasty smell coming from its waste composting site. As described in court, it got so bad that a neighbouring business had to move. What’s the story?
GREEN INITIATIVES - 24.10.2016
Why big companies will want to speak to you more
For the first time, large companies are to be rated on how well they engage with suppliers on climate issues via “benchmark mechanisms”. What are they and what could this mean for you?
CLIMATE CHANGE - 24.10.2016
Agreed in Paris
On 5 October 2016 The Paris Agreement, which requires signatories to collectively ensure global warming is capped at 1.5-2°C, was ratified. When does it come into effect and what impact is it likely to have?
VEHICLES - 24.10.2016
Using green-fuelled lorries
It could soon be easier to run green-fuelled lorries in your business, as the Department for Transport (DfT) is looking to cut red tape. What’s changing and how could you benefit?
WASTE - 24.10.2016
Regulating the waste industry
The Environment Agency (EA) has published statistics on environmental performance in the waste industry. What can be learned from the numbers?
NOISE - 21.10.2016
Nail and staple guns: too noisy?
It’s been concluded that nail and staple guns should not be included on a list used to assess industrial disablement claims. Does this mean that this equipment doesn’t damage hearing?
MAINTENANCE - 21.10.2016
Door fell during maintenance
A manufacturing company has been prosecuted over an accident in which a worker was crushed by a heavy door and left unconscious for eight hours. Where did it go wrong?
PROTECTION OF PUBLIC - 21.10.2016
Pool management mistakes linked to tragedy
A hotel owner has been fined £100,000 in connection with a drowning in its swimming pool. As this case shows, parental supervision must be supplemented by proper facilities and procedures. What happened?
RISK ASSESSMENT - 21.10.2016
HSE suggests you can cut the paperwork
The HSE has published draft updated guidance on the risk assessment process. The good news is that it suggests you can cut down on paperwork and avoid duplicating what’s already been written down. What’s on the cards?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 21.10.2016
Every little bit of luck helps
An employee fell through the roof of a Tesco store, yet managed to walk away with minor injuries. But did the supermarket giant get off so lightly?
MANUAL HANDLING - 21.10.2016
HSE demystifies manual handling rules
In September 2016 the HSE published a tool to help those assessing manual handling tasks. How does this fit with the legal requirements? The HSE’s updated guidance should enlighten you.
WORK EQUIPMENT - 21.10.2016
Alton Towers sentenced
The case against Alton Towers following an accident on the “Smiler” rollercoaster has reached a conclusion. What did the judge have to say about the incident and what lessons can be learned?
NEW LEGISLATION - 20.10.2016
What’s next for employment law?
The government says that it intends to trigger Article 50 and start the formal Brexit process by March 2017 at the latest. What are its plans in relation to EU-derived employment laws?
DISCIPLINARY MATTERS - 20.10.2016
Does “I forgot” justify disciplinary action?
An employee hasn’t done something and you’ve challenged him about his oversight. The reason he’s given is that he simply forgot all about it. Does this justify you taking disciplinary action against him?
WORK AND PARENTS - 20.10.2016
£30,000 for father denied full pay during SPL
The tribunal has awarded a male employee nearly £30,000 because he was only paid the statutory rate of pay during his period of shared parental leave (SPL). Should you be worried by this case?
REFERENCES - 20.10.2016
References: queries about sickness absence
You’ve received a reference request from another employer relating to one of your employees. It asks how many days’ sick this individual has taken in the past two years. Should you answer this question or stay silent?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 20.10.2016
Reasonable adjustments: is this going to work?
Reasonable adjustments should be made for any disabled employee who is placed at a substantial disadvantage due to a provision, criterion or practice, e.g. workload. But must an adjustment be implemented if there’s a chance it won’t work?
HOLIDAYS - 20.10.2016
Holiday pay: the thorny issue of commission
Many employees earn commission on top of their basic salary or pay. When these individuals take annual leave, must you provide for lost commission payments in their holiday pay?
CONTRACTS - 20.10.2016
A missing employment contract
A long-standing employee has queried her contractual terms and conditions but you can’t find a copy of her employment contract on her personnel file. What can you do where an employment contract has been misplaced?
TAX RESIDENCE - 20.10.2016
Coming to the UK - does a tax break apply?
You’ve been approached by an individual who is coming to the UK to work in the near future. She has substantial earnings in her current country already - will these be subject to UK tax, or can she take advantage of a concession?
TERMINATION PAYMENTS - 20.10.2016
Tax on termination payments set to change
HMRC has published draft new rules regarding the tax and NI treatment of termination payments, which will take effect from 6 April 2018. How will the new rules affect your employer clients?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 20.10.2016
An efficient alternative to dividends?
Since April 2016 the new dividend tax regime has made it more difficult to achieve efficiency through traditional profit extraction methods in owner-managed companies. How could pension contributions be used as an alternative?
BENEFITS IN KIND - 20.10.2016
Salary sacrifice - still worthwhile?
Historically, salary sacrifice schemes have been an ideal way to take advantage of tax exemptions. However, HMRC is clamping down on their use. Do salary sacrifice schemes still have a role to play and what action should clients take?
BUSINESS PROPERTY RELIEF - 20.10.2016
BPR and land: avoiding the pitfalls
Where your clients’ businesses include activities that might be regarded as investment or dealing in land or buildings, what advice can you give them to help protect their entitlement to business property relief (BPR) for inheritance tax purposes?
TAX-EFFICIENT SAVINGS - 20.10.2016
LISA is almost here
From April 2017 some of your clients will be able to benefit from a new kind of savings account. However, there are restrictions over who is entitled to benefit so what do you need to know?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 13.10.2016
How to visualise your business ideas
Do you want to illustrate your designs or ideas more visually and present them to a colleague or customer? Use a virtual whiteboard! Here are four potential candidates.
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 13.10.2016
Tips for using the Gmail app more efficiently
If you’re an intensive Gmail user, you’re likely to use the Gmail app on your smartphone or tablet. Here are some tips for using the Android app more efficiently - we will indicate whether these tips apply to the iOS app too.
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 13.10.2016
Should you be afraid of ransomware?
Ransomware is a relatively new threat to businesses but it’s growing fast. What are the risks and what can SMEs do to reduce them?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 13.10.2016
Create your online portfolio
You don’t have your own website but you would still like to showcase your products or projects? We looked for some web services where you can create an online portfolio.
SECURITY - PASSWORDS - 13.10.2016
Protect your accounts with a 2-step verification
Almost all major online services now optionally offer a “2-step account verification”, which means that a password alone is no longer enough for logging in. How exactly does this work on your computer, smartphone or tablet?
SECURITY - BACKUP - 13.10.2016
Handy backup tools
As you undoubtedly know by now, making regular backups remains by far the best way of preventing the loss of your precious data. We have collected a number of free tools to make full and partial backups.
COMPUTER - SMARTPHONES - 13.10.2016
How can you speed up your older iPhone or iPad?
Perhaps you’re still using an “older” iPhone or iPad. But what if your iOS device can no longer handle iOS 10 and you can’t afford the latest iPhone 7? How can you speed up your older device?
E-MAIL - E-ZINES - 13.10.2016
Creating an e-zine with Volleyy?
MailChimp is probably the most popular tool to create, distribute and manage e-zines for you. Now there’s a newcomer, Volleyy. Can it compete with MailChimp?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 13.10.2016
Exit the endless e-mail discussions?
Discussions via e-mail quite often get bogged down in an endless stream of messages to and fro. Perhaps there’s a better solution? Here are some tips for more efficient e-mailing.
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COLLABORATION - 13.10.2016
Collaborating via Samepage
We have already reviewed various methods and tools for collaborating with colleagues or external people on a project. How can the cloud tool Samepage assist you?
WEB SERVICES - NOTES - 13.10.2016
Taking notes with Google Keep or Dropbox Paper
Dropbox recently launched Dropbox Paper, a service to create - and especially share - notes online. Google already had a similar service, Google Keep. How do these two note-taking services compare?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 13.10.2016
Closing down your company tax efficiently
You’re winding down your business with a view to retirement. Your accountant says the best way to do this is to liquidate the company. That’s probably good advice, but how should you time the liquidation for maximum tax efficiency?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 13.10.2016
When do the special NI rules for directors apply
You’ve been a director of your company since you set it up a year ago, but you’re now drawing a salary for the first time. Because special rules for calculating directors’ NI apply what should you be checking and why?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 13.10.2016
Property renovation tax break - get it before it’s gone
You’ve one last chance to get your hands on a special tax break; business premises renovation allowance (BPRA) runs out in April 2017. What must you do before then to qualify for this generous tax relief?
PENALTIES - 13.10.2016
Is your business an intermediary?
HMRC can now issue automatic penalties if you’re late in submitting an employment intermediaries report. The trouble is, deciding if the rules apply to you isn’t a simple matter. Could you be racking up penalties without knowing it?
VAT - CARS - 13.10.2016
When can you reclaim VAT on the purchase of a car?
The First-tier Tribunal (FTT) ruled in favour of a business which reclaimed VAT on the cost of several company cars. How was the company able to defeat HMRC’s usually watertight rules and can you use the same tactic?
EXPENSES - 13.10.2016
Can HMRC dictate where you can stay while on business?
HMRC has started an enquiry into some of the travel and subsistence costs you reimbursed to your employees. It says they are excessive and therefore count as a taxable perk. Can this really be correct?
LOANS - 13.10.2016
What’s the latest on directors’ loans?
In September 2016 HMRC updated its Directors’ Loan Accounts Toolkit. Are there changes that might cause trouble for you or your company?
TAX - EXPENSES - 12.10.2016
How to ensure a tax deduction for sponsorship costs
HMRC is known to closely scrutinise tax deductions claimed by owner-managed businesses for sponsorship costs. What is it looking for and what steps can you take to ensure you don’t lose out on tax relief?
TRAVEL - 12.10.2016
Train travel: delays and compensation rights
Train travel is the preferred option for many business owners, despite the fact there are often delays and cancellations. However, since October 2016 you have greater rights to compensation. What’s changed?
TAX - CARS - 12.10.2016
Are you reclaiming all the VAT you can on company cars?
A car salesperson is pushing the benefits of leasing a company car - especially the VAT angle. He says this is unlike an outright purchase because you can reclaim VAT on lease payments. Is he right?
LEGAL COMPLIANCE - 12.10.2016
Review of directors’ pay and duties
Following two high-profile cases the government has launched an enquiry into directors’ remuneration and their duties. This may well result in new legislation. Should you be worried?
DATA PROTECTION - 12.10.2016
£5,000 fine for not registering with the ICO
Any business that processes personal data must be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). One small company that didn’t has been prosecuted and fined £5,000. What should you do following this case?
