All Domains

2017 - March

VAT - 31.03.2017

How to correctly handle VAT errors and adjustments

Honest mistakes in your VAT returns are bound to happen, even HMRC acknowledges this. What steps must you take to put them right and what other tax adjustments might you need to consider?

BENEFITS IN KIND - 31.03.2017

HMRC’s official interest rate falls


CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 31.03.2017

Marriage breakdown - move quickly to avoid a tax trap

Some years ago you transferred shares in your company to your spouse. Sadly, you’re about separate and so need to take steps to sort out the assets. It’s vital that priority is given to the company shares, but why?

PROFIT EXTRACTION - 31.03.2017

Investing in your company - how tax efficient is it?

Interest rates on savings are currently derisory, yet your business is paying through the nose for its overdraft facility. Can you use your personal money to save your company costs and generate tax-efficient income?

BENEFITS - 31.03.2017

HMRC’s new rules for “making good” perks

New rules mean that in most situations directors and employees will have less time to reduce or prevent a taxable benefit in kind arising by paying towards its cost. What do you need to know?

SDLT - 31.03.2017

Does higher rate SDLT apply to a student’s home?

Your son has a job placement lined up for when he finishes university next year. You want to buy a property so that he has accommodation for next term and when he starts his job. Will you have to pay the 3% SDLT surcharge?

INHERITANCE TAX - 31.03.2017

How to escape the IHT Catch-22 trap

If you’ve been handed the role of executor your first job in sorting out the finances is working out the inheritance tax (IHT) liability and paying it. Until then probate won’t be granted. But how can you do that if there’s not enough cash in the estate?

HMRC - 31.03.2017

The Lords has its say on MTD

The House of Lords’ report on Making Tax Digital expresses doubts over HMRC’s plans. What effect, if any, is this likely to have on you and your business?

TAX - LOANS - 30.03.2017

A tax-saving solution for directors’ loans

During the last year you’ve used your company’s money to pay a number of personal bills. This will trigger extra tax for your company unless you reimburse it or it waives the debt. What’s the most tax-efficient way to tackle this?

TAX - BUDGET - 30.03.2017

The Spring Budget

In a mainly quiet Budget, business rates and tax on dividends featured strongly. How might changes to these affect you and your business?

PERSONNEL - 30.03.2017

This working environment is making me ill!

One of your employees says that they’ve been feeling ill for the past few weeks. They believe that their working environment is causing sick building syndrome (SBS). How should you tackle the situation?

COST CUTTING - MOTORING EXPENSES - 30.03.2017

Motoring costs - being green really can save you money

Stop-start engines have their problems, but they are greener than conventional motors and can reduce fuel costs. You might not be ready to switch to this technology, but how can you achieve similar savings?

SELLING A BUSINESS - 30.03.2017

How much should an investor pay for shares?

You set up a business several years ago and it’s been successful. You’re looking to bring in a new investor by offering shares in your company. Should you sell some of your shares or get your company to issue new ones?

WILLS - 30.03.2017

Can the courts change your will?

All business owners should have a will which is reviewed on a regular basis. If you exclude an adult child, or leave them less than their sibling(s), can they ask the courts to change your will to their benefit?

DATA PROTECTION - 30.03.2017

Previous companies and the right to be forgotten

Some years ago you were associated with a company that’s now gone bust. Unfortunately, a link still shows on the public register held by Companies House. Can you distance yourself from this using the right to be forgotten?

THERMAL COMFORT - 27.03.2017

Is there a maximum temperature?


CAMPAIGNS - 27.03.2017

Stop. Make a Change.


ENFORCEMENT - 27.03.2017

HSE backs down on fees dispute

In December 2016 it was announced that the HSE’s fee for intervention (FFI) scheme faced a Judicial Review at the High Court. Since then there have been further developments. What’s in the pipeline and why?

FIRE SAFETY - 27.03.2017

Roofer started £17 million fire

A judge has told a roofer that he came “within a whisker” of losing his liberty after causing a fire in a hotel which put the lives of 100 guests and staff at risk. Where did he go wrong?

STRUCTURAL SAFETY - 27.03.2017

Blighted modern buildings

In January 2016 nine tonnes of masonry fell from the gable end of Oxgangs Primary School in Edinburgh. In the aftermath 17 schools were closed for months due to structural defects. Could your building also be at risk?

WORKPLACE - 27.03.2017

Butler crushed by a faulty lift

The owners of Burghley House in Stamford have been prosecuted over the death of a butler who was killed by a faulty lift. How did the accident happen and what steps could have been taken to prevent the tragedy?

FORK LIFT TRUCKS - 27.03.2017

Two fork lift truck injuries in two days

When a company reported two fork lift truck accidents within two days it quickly found its procedures under scrutiny by the HSE. What happened and what did the firm do to prevent a recurrence?

WORKPLACE - 27.03.2017

Are your stair barriers safe?

A member of staff says that your staircase barriers aren’t good enough. The railings have been there for years and as the building had the right approvals when it was constructed, surely they must be okay?

ENFORCEMENT - 27.03.2017

HSE sector plans

The HSE is in the process of publishing 19 separate plans that detail how it’s planning to tackle safety in different sectors. What’s to know?

RENEWABLE ENERGY - 27.03.2017

Biomass boilers - are they green?

Using wood for energy often has a positive image as it’s a natural product. But a growing body of opinion suggests that these systems may not be as green as has been claimed. What’s to know?

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - 27.03.2017

Environmental management gone wrong

If you’re operating or working towards an environmental management system you’ll need a procedure for dealing with non-conformances. What does this term mean and how should you respond? Our flow chart will help.

ENERGY TARIFFS - 27.03.2017

Feed-in tariff rates

The latest eligibility criteria for the renewable energy feed-in tariffs (FITs) have been published. What do you need to know about making green energy systems pay in your business?

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS - 27.03.2017

No control? No permit

The owner of a scrapyard has lost his environmental permit because he did not have control over what went on there. What triggered these events and what does it tell you about the rules?

STANDARDS - 27.03.2017

Revised standard for energy efficiency improvements

The British Standards Institute has revised the standard for installing energy efficiency measures in existing buildings. What does it recommend and should you apply such a standard to any work carried out?

NATURAL RESOURCES - 27.03.2017

Paperless scripts

The BBC has announced that it’s scrapping paper scripts to cut its carbon footprint and reduce energy. Is there any value in making a similar move and if so, how should you go about it?

WASTE - 27.03.2017

Fly-tipping crisis deepens

Government statistics indicate that the number of fly-tipping incidents has gone up. How could this affect your business?

REGISTRATION - 23.03.2017

What turnover counts toward the VAT threshold?

When your business is nearing the VAT registration threshold you will need to consider what income is included in its turnover for registration purposes. What income can you ignore?

PARTIAL EXEMPTION - 23.03.2017

Applying for a partial exemption special method

If the partial exemption standard method doesn’t suit your business, you can apply for a special method. But obtaining one can be time consuming and difficult. What do you need to do?

OPTION TO TAX - 23.03.2017

Opt to tax a property at the right time

If you own commercial properties it’s important to opt to tax at the right time to avoid arguments with HMRC and possible loss of input tax. What are the key points to remember?

VAT RETURNS - 23.03.2017

End of the VAT return

The introduction of Making Tax Digital will see the end of a separate VAT return. What will you need to do instead?

EU SUPPLIES - 23.03.2017

Doing work on other people’s goods

There are special rules for businesses that do work on other people’s goods before returning them to an overseas customer. What are they and how can they affect your business?

NEW BUSINESS TAX RELIEFS - 23.03.2017

Getting the most for start-up clients

You’re likely to come across plenty of clients who are newly established in business. Naturally, they will look to you for advice on available tax breaks. What type of things do you need to look for, and how can they result in more money for your clients?

PENALTIES - 23.03.2017

Using case law to help clients

Where your clients have made errors, HMRC will sometimes contend that they were deliberate. How might a recent tribunal case help you save them money?

LOTTERY SYNDICATES - 23.03.2017

Protecting your clients’ winnings from an unexpected bill

At least some of your clients are likely to club together to play a lottery - known formally as a “syndicate”. Winning could however lead to a nasty tax bill - how can you ensure this doesn’t happen?

BENEFITS IN KIND - 23.03.2017

Advising on company car benefits in the modern era

The provision of a company car for employees has long been an established job perk. Starting in April 2017, the way these benefits are taxed will be subject to changes. How do you keep your advice relevant?

INHERITANCE TAX - 23.03.2017

Avoiding a gift with reservation of benefit

If your client gives away a chattel but continues to enjoy the use of it, the gift with reservation rules may prevent the transfer from being effective for inheritance tax purposes. Can you advise on how this may be avoided?

PROPERTY INVESTING - 23.03.2017

Properties held via a company


FOREIGN EXCHANGE - 23.03.2017

Getting a cash bonus from a weak sterling value

Since the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, the value of the pound has dipped sharply against both the US dollar and the euro. How could your clients use this fluctuation to secure an unexpected cash bonanza?

CONFIDENTIALITY - 23.03.2017

Employer who claimed £15 million only gets £2

When Marathon Asset Management discovered that two former employees had taken confidential business information, it sued them for damages totalling £15 million. However, the High Court only awarded it a mere £2. Why?

SUSPENSION - 23.03.2017

Employee’s rights during suspension

Where you believe that an employee may have committed an act of gross or very serious misconduct, you can suspend them. If you take this decision, what rights do they have during the period of suspension?

SICKNESS ABSENCE - 23.03.2017

Statutory wellbeing days on the cards?


DATA PROTECTION - 23.03.2017

Responding to subject access requests

By law, all employees have the right to make a subject access request (SAR) and see the personal data that you hold on them. Where this happens, must they state the reason behind their request or is it irrelevant?

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 23.03.2017

Employees, colleagues and historic criminal offences

You’ve knowingly employed someone who previously committed a criminal offence. Unfortunately, a couple of your other employees have now found out and are refusing to work with this individual. What should you do?

RECRUITMENT - 23.03.2017

Rejected via text message and laughing emoji

An employer has ended up in the national press after one of its managers rejected a job applicant via a text message that contained a “crying with laughter” emoji. What simple recruitment rule would have prevented this?

CONTRACTS - 23.03.2017

A PILON clause lowdown

Employers are generally advised to place a robust pay in lieu of notice (PILON) clause in their employment contracts. This is certainly good advice but how can you get the most out of these clauses?

HOLIDAYS - 23.03.2017

Holiday pay case: the latest

The Supreme Court has refused permission for an appeal in Lock v British Gas Trading Ltd - a long-running case that involves holiday pay and commission. So what happens now?

SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 20.03.2017

Draw in Microsoft Office


LEISURE - VIDEO - 20.03.2017

Working with subtitles

There are lots of sites where you can find subtitles for foreign films. So many that perhaps you no longer know what to choose? Here are a couple of useful websites and subtitling tools.

WEB SERVICES - ONLINE STORAGE - 20.03.2017

All your cloud services in one spot


E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 20.03.2017

Helping hands for your e-mail

There are some e-mail tools which you don’t need every day, but occasionally they can come in very handy. Here’s our selection of useful ones.

SOFTWARE - MUSIC - 20.03.2017

Better music management with iTunes alternatives

iTunes is a necessary evil to manage music on your iPhone or iPad. However, if you use iTunes to play music on your Windows computer, we think there are several (better) alternatives.

TRANSPORT - MISCELLANEOUS - 20.03.2017

The cost of running a car

For SMEs operating a fleet of cars or for the self-employed, the costs of car ownership are high. We look at ways of reducing the outlays.

WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COMMUNITIES - 20.03.2017

Make the most of your Facebook business page

The Facebook page for your business has become part and parcel of your marketing strategy. However, it is no longer sufficient just to post the odd message. Here are some tips to achieve better results.

SOFTWARE - BROWSERS - 20.03.2017

Avoid frustrations in Chrome

Although Google Chrome is by far the most popular Internet browser, there are still some functions that can be improved. Here are our tips to avoid the main frustrations.

TELEPHONY - SMARTPHONE - 20.03.2017

Fewer notifications on my smartphone, please

Notifications of incoming messages or news on your smartphone can be convenient, but a constant flow of notifications can become annoying. How do you keep them under control?

SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 20.03.2017

User Account Management in Windows

Do other people use your computer or do you share data with others via your network? Here are some useful tips and techniques for good user account management.

BUSINESS - BUSINESS INFORMATION - 20.03.2017

Show your customers around in your business

Did you know that Google allows you to upload a virtual guided tour through your business to its search page or Google Maps? Is this free option something for you?

PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 20.03.2017

Advanced Google Forms for business use

You can use the forms you create in Google Forms for a wide variety of purposes: to conduct customer surveys, to invite customers to a product presentation or an open house, etc. How does it work?

REFERENCE WORKS - TRANSLATION - 20.03.2017

Use your smartphone as a translation tool

The days of Google Translate being the only translation app are long gone. Which apps can help you to produce translations on your smartphone, and how good are they?

YEAR-END PLANNING - 17.03.2017

Last minute income tax planning for directors

You organise your income to stay within the basic rate tax band if you can, but as the 2016/17 tax year ends soon, that doesn’t leave much time for tax planning. What steps can you take to avoid or reduce the tax payable at the higher rate?

PAYROLL - 17.03.2017

NLW and NMW rise again


INHERITANCE TAX - 17.03.2017

Boost your BPR

Passing your business on to your beneficiaries when you die will usually escape inheritance tax (IHT). But unless it’s done the right way they could be missing out on an extra tax saving. How can you make sure they don’t lose out?

BENEFITS - 17.03.2017

Tax-efficient life insurance

Proceeds from life insurance policies are usually tax free, but premiums paid by individuals must usually be paid out of taxed income. However, employers can provide employees with life insurance as a tax and NI-free perk. What’s involved?

VAT - 17.03.2017

The FRS - are you in or out?

The limited cost trader rules which will apply from 1 April 2017 are bound to result in many traders choosing to leave the flat rate scheme (FRS). But if you give the new rules a chance can you later opt out of the FRS retrospectively?

PROFIT EXTRACTION - 17.03.2017

Extra tax savings when incorporating a business

In December 2014 the government introduced rules to block the capital gains tax (CGT) advantage that could be gained from incorporating a business. Despite the changes you can still legitimately make tax savings. How is it done?

BUDGET - 17.03.2017

Was it a good Budget for you?

The Spring Budget didn’t startle, but it was a generally gloomy one for business owners. What changes were announced and how might they affect you?

EXPENSES - 17.03.2017

Can you supply clothes tax and NI free to staff?

You want to provide your staff with uniforms in keeping with your firm’s corporate image, but understand they count as a taxable perk unless conditions set by HMRC are met. How can you avoid a tax charge from arising?

employment law - 17.03.2017

Staff holiday problems


Tax codes - 17.03.2017

Check that tax code!

When it comes to tax codes HMRC doesn’t always get it right. Yet the consequences of an incorrect code can be significant. What advice can you give your staff to ensure they’re not under or overpaying tax?

payroll budgeting - 17.03.2017

Costing the payroll budget

It’s that time of year when you’ve been asked to prepare the payroll budget. What are the key things to take into account in 2017/18?

apprenticeship levy - 17.03.2017

Hire an apprentice to understand the levy?

The new apprenticeship levy (which is effectively a training tax) is not just for large employers and those with apprentices. So who pays, how does it work and how can you get to grips with it?

status - 17.03.2017

Disguised employment. Are you affected?

For many years the government has been cracking down on so-called disguised employment. But this April there’s a more significant change for payroll teams. What is it and what do you need to be aware of?

court orders - 17.03.2017

Managing Direct Earnings Attachments

Since their introduction in 2014, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local authorities have issued thousands of Direct Earnings Attachments to employers. What do you need to know about operating them?

HEALTH & SAFETY - 17.03.2017

How far must you go to prevent slips and trips?

According to the HSE, slips and trips cost UK businesses over £500 million each year, so it’s in your interest to prevent these accidents wherever possible. But just how far does the law expect you to go?

DRIVING - 17.03.2017

Driving, mobiles and penalty points

Since 1 March 2017 any driver who is caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel will receive at least six penalty points and a £200 fine. What should your business do following this change in the law?

BUSINESS RATES - 17.03.2017

Business rates during refurbishment works

The Supreme Court has been asked to consider whether the owners of commercial premises are liable for business rates during refurbishment works. What conclusion did it reach?

TAX - PROFIT EXTRACTION - 17.03.2017

Income shifting for unmarried couples

There are tax advantages associated with shifting business income between spouses. But you and your partner aren’t married. Can you take advantage of any similar tax breaks?

MARKETING - 17.03.2017

Topping the Google charts

Google has updated its page ranking system and now aims to penalise poor quality sites by demoting them. Your site rarely appears on the first page of results, let alone in the top five listings. What can you do to improve your showing?

COMPANIES HOUSE - 17.03.2017

Free seminars for directors


ENFORCEMENT - 16.03.2017

Keep your receipts


RISK ASSESSMENT - 16.03.2017

DFS fined £1 million for failing to manage risks

An investigation into a incident which saw a worker knocked unconscious has led to furniture retailer DFS being criticised and heavily fined. What did it get wrong and how can you avoid following in its footsteps?

HEALTH AND SAFETY RECORD KEEPING GUIDE - 16.03.2017

Which records to hold on to?

Health and safety seems to result in a great deal of paperwork, whether it’s risk assessments, staff training records or inspection reports. What information must you keep and for how long?

WORKPLACE - 16.03.2017

Keeping your tenants in check

If you’re subletting part of a premises or you’re the landlord of a commercial multiple-occupier premises, you’ll have shared health and safety responsibilities with your tenants. What information should you put across to them?

CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT - 16.03.2017

Contractors issued with their cards

One of your staff has been issued with a red card whilst working on a client’s site. This meant that he was removed from the job and is now banned from working on their premises. What’s going on?

WORKPLACE - 16.03.2017

Child killed by falling display

In February 2017 a child was fatally crushed when a piece of shop furniture fell on him at a Topshop store. What’s known about the accident?

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