2017 -
August
PAYE - PENALTIES - 31.08.2017
Avoiding RTI penalties
HMRC has reviewed its approach to late RTI reports ahead of the first round of penalty notices. It says it will continue to take a risk-based approach. What does this mean for employers?
BENEFITS - 31.08.2017
Tax and workplace injury or illness
One of your employees has injured themselves at work. There’s no question of liability for your firm, but as a goodwill gesture you want to pay for physiotherapy to aid their recovery. Will it count as a taxable benefit?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 31.08.2017
Tax on directors’ salary, dividends and perks
The taxation of dividends and benefits in kind has changed significantly in recent times. So if you’re considering taking more income from your company, which should you choose for maximum tax efficiency?
PROPERTY - 31.08.2017
Don’t overlook the value of rent-a-room relief elections
Income from letting one or more rooms in your home can be tax free where rent-a-room relief applies. However, if you also provide services to your guests the income might count as a trade. Does rent-a-room relief still apply?
INCOME TAX - CODES - 31.08.2017
HMRC’s new coding system unlikely to work (yet)
After delays HMRC’s so-called dynamic coding system is now up and running. It aims to speed up changes required to your code and collect underpaid tax sooner. As a director or employee how might it affect you?
CONTRACTORS - 25.08.2017
Check contractor applications
It’s come to light that some contractors claim to be receiving competent health and safety advice when they’re not. What’s happening?
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS - 25.08.2017
Latest statistics on musculoskeletal disorders
A report showing the latest statistics on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been produced by the HSE. What are the findings and how could this be affecting your business?
MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS - 25.08.2017
Rescue delay linked to death of machine operator
A tragic case involving the death of a worker using a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) serves as a reminder to businesses to have rescue arrangements in place for this equipment. What happened?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 25.08.2017
Link between health problems and workplace injury
If you have an employee with a serious health condition, or who is taking medication, could they be a risk to themselves or others? A recently published study may hold the answers.
RISK ASSESSMENT - 25.08.2017
Complete failure to protect vulnerable worker
A golf ball boss has been jailed for the manslaughter of a worker who drowned whilst collecting golf balls from the bottom of a lake. What lessons can be learned from this case?
EVENTS - 25.08.2017
Blinded by a confetti cannon
A special effects business has been handed a £16,000 fine and ordered to pay the same amount in costs after a confetti cannon cost a woman her sight. What happened and why?
SECURITY - 25.08.2017
Terrorism guidance
Following terrorist attacks in the UK, guidance has been produced to help businesses to prepare for the worst. Why is this important and what does it recommend?
SMOKING - 25.08.2017
Do you have to pay for a smoking shelter?
Smoking has been banned inside most workplaces since 2007. One issue that still causes confusion is whether employers have a legal duty to provide outdoor smoking shelters for employees. What’s the answer?
REDUNDANCY - 25.08.2017
Redundancy and disability discrimination
In Charlesworth v Dransfields Engineering Services Ltd 2017 the employee took time off work following his cancer diagnosis. On his return he was made redundant but his disability discrimination claim failed. Why was this?
EXPENSES - 25.08.2017
One third regularly inflate their expenses
According to research, over one third of employees regularly inflate their work-related expenses and nearly 20% do this deliberately. It’s estimated that this is costing employers £1.6 billion per annum. What can you do to protect yourself?
EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS - 25.08.2017
Tribunal fees: are they gone forever?
In July 2017 the Supreme Court declared the tribunal fee regime unlawful and it was abolished with immediate effect. It’s an unwelcome development for employers but could tribunal fees be reintroduced?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 25.08.2017
Unfairly dismissed for Facebook “meat deal” post
An employee who was sacked after he recommended another local supplier’s meat deal on his personal Facebook account has won his claim for unfair dismissal. Where did the employer go wrong?
SICK PAY - 25.08.2017
Work-related incapacity and right to pay
There will be occasions where an employee is incapacitated due to a work-related illness or injury. In this situation are they legally entitled to receive full pay for the duration of their sickness absence?
DISCRIMINATION - 25.08.2017
£360,000 for saying “women are more emotional”
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that a woman is entitled to £360,000 compensation after a male manager said that “women take things more emotionally than men”. Will such comments always attract hefty awards?
VAT - 25.08.2017
Expense or disbursement?
Many clients do not understand the difference between a recharge of expenses and a disbursement when they raise sales invoices to customers. Why is it important to rectify this, and how can your clients avoid inadvertently making mistakes?
TAX COMPLIANCE - 25.08.2017
When is a tax return really required?
The UK tax system is so convoluted that people with relatively straightforward affairs can find themselves needing to file tax returns - facing penalties if they do not do so. How might a 2016 tribunal case help your clients avoid such fines?
ENTREPRENEURS’ RELIEF - 25.08.2017
Advising on a share sale in practice
A number of recent tribunal cases have highlighted just how difficult securing entrepreneurs’ relief can be. When advising your clients, what pitfalls do you need to be aware of in order to ensure relief is not lost?
PROPERTY - 25.08.2017
Save tax using a property management company
If you don’t want to incorporate a client’s buy-to-let property portfolio, there is still a way that a company might help to reduce their tax bill. What is a property management company and how can you ensure your clients use them effectively?
CGT RELIEF - 25.08.2017
Tax relief for payments made as a guarantor
You are probably familiar with claiming relief for losses on share investments, but some clients may have acted as a guarantor for finance instead, as an alternative way of supporting a business. Is there any relief for payments made under the agreement?
EMPLOYMENT INCOME - 25.08.2017
After the Rangers decision, what now?
The Supreme Court has brought an end to five years of legal wrangling, and found for HMRC in the now infamous case involving Glasgow Rangers FC. Might the decision affect your clients, and if so, how can you help them?
MOVING OVERSEAS - 25.08.2017
Things to consider when retiring outside the UK
One of your wealthy clients is a few years from retirement and has indicated that he wants to move abroad. He has come to you for advice ahead of doing so - what sort of things should you bring up?
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES - 23.08.2017
Website to search for less toxic chemicals
A service has been launched that can help you to find a more environmentally friendly and safer alternative when it comes to chemical products. How does it work and is it worth a look?
VEHICLES - 23.08.2017
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Hydrogen fuelled vehicles are being hailed by some as the car of the future. Are they available to buy, and if so are they as environmentally friendly as they are made out to be?
UTILITIES - 23.08.2017
Time to switch water supplier
The potential benefits of switching water supplier are starting to become clearer. What can be achieved and how should you make the move?
MICRO GENERATION - 23.08.2017
What to do with redundant solar panels
If you have an ageing solar panel installation that you’re looking to scrap or upgrade, you may be wondering what to do with the old units. What are the rules?
MARKETING - 23.08.2017
Still working on Plan A
Marks & Spencer has published the next phase of its landmark sustainability strategy, which is referred to as “Plan A”. What’s in it and what can you learn from its approach?
POLLUTION - 23.08.2017
Tesco under the pump
Tesco has been fined £8 million after one of its petrol stations in the North West suffered a fuel leak. The resulting pollution required a multi-agency clean up. What was the impact on the local environment and residents?
TRAINING - 23.08.2017
Environmental training options
A member of staff is starting to take the lead on environmental matters within your business, but they don’t have an environmental background. What options are available for someone starting out in the field?
recruitment agencies - 23.08.2017
Effective use of recruitment agencies
Despite their poor reputation, recruitment agencies can play a key role in hiring the right people for your business. But how can you make sure they work effectively for your business and are not just an expensive burden?
CONTRACTS - 23.08.2017
The pros and cons of zero-hours contracts
Over the last few years zero-hours contracts have received a great deal of media attention, most of which has been negative. What exactly are they and what are the advantages and disadvantages of engaging someone on this basis?
RECRUITMENT - 23.08.2017
Making a job offer subject to conditions
When offering a job to a prospective employee, it’s common for the offer letter to contain one or more conditions. Which ones should you include, what are the benefits and what happens if any of them aren’t met?
WHISTLEBLOWING - 23.08.2017
When is whistleblowing in the public interest?
The Court of Appeal has held that a whistleblowing disclosure can still be in the public interest even where it’s also in the whistleblower’s private interest, but that all the circumstances need to be considered. Where does this leave the “public interest” test?
CONTRACTS - 23.08.2017
Should you have a contractual PILON clause?
From an employer’s point of view, it’s advantageous to include a pay in lieu of notice (PILON) clause in staff employment contracts. What are the benefits of doing so and are there any disadvantages?
DATA PROTECTION - 23.08.2017
GDPR: subject access requests and employees’ rights
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will amend the current data protection provisions on subject access requests and employees’ rights. What’s changing and how will you need to update your procedures on these matters?
DISCRIMINATION - 23.08.2017
The cost of being out at work
Startling new statistics reveal that over one third of LGBT workers have been harassed or discriminated against at work. How can you prevent such unacceptable behaviour in your workplace?
