2017 -
September
DEALING WITH HMRC - 26.09.2017
HMRC makes things difficult for agents
Two recent changes to how HMRC deals with requests for information for your employed clients may make your job more difficult. What happened?
TAX ALLOWANCES - 26.09.2017
The trading and property allowances: pitfalls and planning
Tax year 2017/18 sees the introduction of the trading and property allowances, but as with most reliefs there are traps for the unwary. What opportunities exist for your clients and what pitfalls need looking out for?
CORPORATION TAX - 26.09.2017
Tax-efficient investments for companies
Individual taxpayers have many options offering income tax reductions in exchange for investing in enterprise. Are there similar choices for corporate taxpayers and, if so, what form do the investments need to take?
INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS - 26.09.2017
Rewarding an employee for long service
One of your clients wants to reward an employee who has been with the firm for 30 years. They want to give something that has some monetary value, but is aware that just paying cash will be taxable. What could you suggest?
PENALTIES - 26.09.2017
Are agents liable to penalties because of their clients?
Despite your regular prompting and requests for information, one of your clients has not provided any information whatsoever relating to their return. You are considering submitting a blank return to avoid a late filing penalty - is this advisable?
INHERITANCE TAX - 26.09.2017
Introduction to downsizing relief
Your clients, a married couple, are moving to a smaller property and are concerned about losing the additional tax shelter provided by the residential nil rate band. What can you advise them about downsizing relief?
DATA PROTECTION - 20.09.2017
Must you hire a GDPR specialist?
In May 2018 the Data Protection Act 1998 will be replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation. On the back of this important change, many “GDPR specialists” are touting their services. Must you hire one?
E-MAIL - 20.09.2017
E-mails, privacy and human rights
The European Court of Human Rights has found that an employer infringed an employee’s human rights when it read personal e-mails on his work account. Does this mean e-mails shouldn’t be monitored?
BEHAVIOUR - 20.09.2017
Dealing with a messy relationship breakup
An employee has recently gone through a messy relationship breakup. Unfortunately, it’s affecting their work and starting to disrupt the team. You’re sympathetic but need them to get a grip. What’s the best way to handle it?
TRIBUNALS - 20.09.2017
The wrong employer’s name dodges a claim
An employee believes that they have a tribunal claim and has applied for early conciliation (EC). However, they’ve given Acas incorrect details and it’s got your name wrong. Should you point out the error or not?
BONUSES - 20.09.2017
Resigned but still entitled to a £14,000 bonus
The tribunal has ruled that an employee who resigned before his employer awarded annual bonus payments was still entitled to receive a bonus of £14,000. Where did this employer go wrong?
DISMISSAL - 20.09.2017
Unfair and wrongful dismissal: what’s the difference?
Unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal are both common employment law terms. However, although they are often confused, they are entirely separate concepts. What is the difference between the two?
tax codes - 20.09.2017
Dynamic coding: all change for tax codes
During the summer of 2017 a quiet revolution took place in HMRC systems that will potentially affect 40 million taxpayers. What could be the effect for employers and those running payrolls?
sickness absence - 20.09.2017
Improving the health of the nation
We’re always being told that the UK has very low productivity and poor sickness absence rates - on average 4.3 days’ per worker every year. So what can you do to keep employees healthy?
PAYROLL BASICS - CALCULATIONS - 20.09.2017
Crunch the numbers correctly
In April 2017 the apprenticeship levy was first calculated in payroll software but many providers got the figures wrong. So what are the basic calculation rules in payroll and when should you check them?
auto enrolment - update - 20.09.2017
Pensions go mainstream
It’s all change from October 2017 as auto-enrolment hits its five-year milestone and we head towards the first increase in contributions. What’s involved and what might be the additional cost?
HMRC - 20.09.2017
Upgrade to business tax accounts
HMRC is rolling out an upgrade to business tax accounts (BTA) that should now be completed (as of September 2017). What’s new?
INHERITANCE TAX - 18.09.2017
Did Sir Bruce really use an IHT dodge?
It’s been reported that Sir Bruce Forsyth’s will left all his estate to his wife to dodge inheritance tax (IHT) on its £17 million worth. On the assumption he had access to the best tax advice, should you be following his example?
PAYE - 18.09.2017
Changes to PSA settlements
With the deadline for paying tax on 2016/17 PAYE settlement agreements (PSA) just a few weeks away, HMRC has unveiled some changes. As an employer, how might they affect you?
PENSIONS - 18.09.2017
Which pension method is more efficient?
In 2015 more flexible ways to access pension savings were introduced. The two most popular options are pension tax-free cash with drawdown and uncrystallised fund pension lump sums. Is one more tax efficient than the other?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 18.09.2017
Entrepreneurs’ relief for sole traders
Your business has stopped trading and you’re selling its assets. You’ll make a healthy capital gain, but the trouble is it’s going to take some time for you to sell the premises. Will this prevent you from claiming entrepreneurs’ relief?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE OFFICE - 18.09.2017
Signing PDFs online
You will certainly have received or downloaded PDF documents which you’re asked to fill in, sign and return to the sender or upload. What is the best method for completing PDFs?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COMMUNITIES - 18.09.2017
Your Facebook page in statistics
If your business has a Facebook page, you will constantly receive updates about new likes and reactions from customers. However, it can also provide all kinds of relevant statistics. How can they help you?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 18.09.2017
Design your own digital fill-in forms
Would you like your customers, your colleagues or the members of your club to be able to fill in a digital form? Is it possible to easily create such a form in your word processor?
COMPUTER - WEBCAM - 18.09.2017
Make better use of your webcam
Your desktop or laptop computer is probably equipped with a webcam - or else you can buy one for less than £15. Interestingly, a webcam lets you do more than just Skype! Here are some useful apps and tips.
INTERNET CONNECTION - MISCELLANEOUS - 18.09.2017
Access your network remotely
Suppose you have a service running on your computer or NAS, or you have a home-automation device or IP camera and you want to access them all remotely. How can you bypass your router and connect to your network from the outside?
SECURITY - BACKUP - 18.09.2017
Easier backups with Google Drive?
Google recently launched a brand-new application, Backup and Sync for PC and Mac, which replaces the old Google Drive and Google Photos apps. How does it work?
BUSINESS - ROBOTICS - 18.09.2017
Robotics - looking to the future
Once the preserve of heavy industry, robotics now offers opportunities for SMEs. We look at potential applications, the impact on companies and society.
SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 18.09.2017
Sync your browser on all your devices
On computers, the web browser remains the main gateway to the Internet. It is therefore crucial to make your browser settings available on all your devices. How do you do this?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 18.09.2017
E-mail with Spark
The free e-mail app Spark runs on both iPhone and Mac devices. Is it better than the standard e-mail app or more popular than competitors such as the Airmail app?
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 18.09.2017
Block ransomware
Ransomware regularly hits the news headlines. It’s a type of Internet fraud which encrypts all your personal files and asks for a ransom payment before restoring them. How do you protect yourself against this danger?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 18.09.2017
A chat function on your website?
Listening to the questions, complaints and suggestions of your customers is crucial. Does a real-time chat function on your website, in addition to the usual feedback channels such as telephone and e-mail, offer extra value?
ONBOARDING - 18.09.2017
Implementing effective onboarding
A non-existent or poorly executed onboarding process leads to disengaged employees at best and increased turnover rates and recruiting costs at worst. What do you need to consider to make it a success?
HOLIDAYS - 18.09.2017
Voluntary overtime and the calculation of holiday pay
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that payment for voluntary overtime that’s normally worked should be included in the calculation of holiday pay. What are the implications for employers?
PROBATIONARY PERIODS - 18.09.2017
What are the benefits of a probationary period?
Even though probationary periods have no statutory basis in employment law, they’re still worth including in employment contracts for new starters. So what are the benefits of having a probationary period?
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION - 18.09.2017
How should you protect your confidential information?
One of the key assets of your business is likely to be its confidential information, be it a client database, a manufacturing process or a secret formula. How should you prevent employees from misusing it, whether for themselves or for a competitor?
APPRENTICESHIPS - 18.09.2017
The legal status of apprentices
If you’re thinking of employing an apprentice, you should first understand the law that applies to them. What are the different forms of apprenticeship currently available and what’s their employment law status?
DISMISSAL - 18.09.2017
Fair dismissals for poor performance
Where an employee is underperforming, it’s important to tackle the issue at an early stage. How should you formally deal with poor performance and, if there’s insufficient improvement, implement a fair capability dismissal?
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE - 18.09.2017
What mistakes are employers making?
The latest “naming and shaming” statistics that show underpayment of the national minimum wage reveal that 1,200 employers have now been named since 2013. Where are all these employers going wrong?
LANDLORD AND TENANT - 18.09.2017
Buy-to-lets, landlords and fire extinguishers
Like many business owners, you might have invested in the buy-to-let property market. When it comes to fire safety matters, are you legally obliged to provide your tenants with fire extinguishers. If not, should you still do so?
DATA PROTECTION - 18.09.2017
Start preparing for the GDPR
On 25 May 2018 the Data Protection Act 1998 will be replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It gives consumers a new right. What is this and how can you prepare for the GDPR?
TAX - 18.09.2017
Lending to your business tax efficiently
Your business needs extra cash. While you have the funds available, it might be more tax efficient if the money came from your spouse because they pay tax at a lower rate than you. How can you arrange the transaction to take advantage?
COMPANY LAW - 18.09.2017
Avoiding a fine for late accounts
You started a company which barely got off the ground and soon closed down. Companies House (CH) says that accounts are still required and because they are overdue a financial penalty applies. Is there a way out of this sticky situation?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 18.09.2017
The less obvious workstation DSE hazards
When setting up or modifying a workstation area, the focus is often placed on larger items, such as the chair, being in the correct position. However, there are less obvious but equally important things to get right. What are they?
TAX - PROFIT EXTRACTION - 18.09.2017
How will the lower dividend nil rate affect you?
The government has confirmed that its plan to cut the dividend nil rate band by more than 50% will go ahead and take effect from 6 April 2018. As a director shareholder what will the tax cost be for you?
TRAINING - 12.09.2017
Health and safety NVQs
A member of staff is starting to take the lead on health and safety matters in your business but they don’t have a background in the subject. Is a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) a good option?
DSE - 12.09.2017
Who’s responsible for workstation assessments?
You’ve taken on temporary office workers via an employment agency. Who is responsible for workstation assessments, eye sight tests, etc.? Is it down to you as the host employer or the agency?
CAR PARK POLICY - 12.09.2017
Car park safety
There are a variety of factors which can affect the safety of your parking area, including its design and maintenance. Why not use our policy to ensure your arrangements are clear?
FIRE SAFETY - 12.09.2017
Rope ladder for means of escape
You have an office located on the third floor and are concerned that you may not be able to escape via the staircase in the event of a fire. Would the use of an escape ladder solve this problem?
REMOTE WORKING - 12.09.2017
Managing remote workers
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has published guidance on managing the health and safety of employees who work away from your office. What advice does it contain and is this something you should follow?
FOOD HYGIENE - 12.09.2017
Bacteria on ice
It seems that you may be consuming more than you bargained for while enjoying a refreshing, ice filled drink. What’s to know?
WORK EQUIPMENT - 12.09.2017
£1 million fine for pallet truck injury
A case heard in July 2017 involving the supermarket chain Aldi illustrates the extent of an employer’s responsibilities for staff training. It was caught out because it treated an electric pallet truck as a low-risk item of equipment. What happened?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 12.09.2017
OK to fit monitoring sensors under desks?
In August 2017 it was reported that Barclays had anonymously put devices that monitor heat and motion under employees’ desks. This sounds like an effective way to see what staff get up to but what’s the potential problem?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 12.09.2017
Reinstatement ordered 2.5 years after dismissal
The tribunal has ordered an employer to reinstate an employee two and a half years after it dismissed her. In addition to getting her old job back, she was awarded £26,508. How often does this type of ruling happen?
DRESS AND APPEARANCE - 12.09.2017
Top complaint is bad body odour
Bad body odour is the most disliked personal hygiene problem - 70% of employees say it’s their top bugbear. If you receive a complaint about someone’s BO, what’s the best way to tackle it?
PROBATION PERIODS - 12.09.2017
Can probation be extended automatically?
Although a candidate can look good on paper and interview well, they may not be the perfect match. You can test the waters with a probation period. If the required standards aren’t met, can it be extended automatically?
SUSPENSION - 12.09.2017
Useful guidance on a lawful suspension
In Agoreyo v London Borough of Lambeth 2017 the High Court handed down some useful guidance on suspension where an employee is suspected of serious wrongdoing. What do you need to know?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 12.09.2017
Sickness absence rates are on the rise
New research suggests that sickness absence rates are on the rise and the average employee now takes 6.6 sick days per annum. How can you calculate what your average sickness absence rate is per employee?
GRIEVANCES - 12.09.2017
How to document a grievance meeting
Whenever an employee raises a grievance, you must arrange a meeting to discuss their complaint. How should the grievance meeting be documented and what else should you always do?
COMPANY LAW - 04.09.2017
Sole director shareholders at risk!
A 2017 ruling by the High Court has highlighted a potential risk for those who are sole director shareholders. As there are thousands of companies operated in this way, could you be affected?
PERSONNEL - RECRUITMENT - 04.09.2017
New employees and GCSE grades
The GCSE results announced in August 2017 include new style grades. If you’re taking on new workers what do you need to know?
CONTRACTS - 04.09.2017
Free flowing alcohol and binding contracts
Let’s suppose that you’ve arranged to meet a business associate socially and after one too many alcoholic drinks your discussions turn towards work. If you agree any deals in this situation, would there be a binding contract?
BENEFITS - 04.09.2017
Is parking at work a taxable perk?
You pay for parking spaces for your company’s directors as there’s nowhere on site. During a PAYE check HMRC claims that because the spaces are also used for non-work purposes there’s a taxable perk. Is this correct?
DATA PROTECTION - 04.09.2017
Prosecuted for illegally sharing personal data
Following the successful prosecution of an employee, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is asking all businesses to remind staff about the consequences of illegally sharing personal data. What should you do?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 04.09.2017
Can you be put in the dock for a customer’s crime?
The Criminal Finances Act 2017 takes effect in September. It includes a new offence of assisting others, even unwittingly, in tax evasion. Businesses face tough fines if they fail to prevent it. What steps can you take to protect your business?
VAT - ENTERTAINING - 04.09.2017
Entertaining costs - getting the VAT back
HMRC doesn’t allow VAT to be reclaimed on the cost of entertaining customers, suppliers etc. However, the rule isn’t as black and white as it seems at first sight. In what situations are you allowed to reclaim VAT?
APPS - SOCIAL NETWORKS - 04.09.2017
Share your location with others in real time
Do you want to share your location with others in real time, for instance when you’re meeting in an unfamiliar location or a crowded place? Several apps make this possible. How does it work and which apps should you try?
SOFTWARE - SOCIAL NETWORKS - 04.09.2017
Lighter apps for Facebook, Messenger and Twitter
You may not be aware of this, but the regular Facebook, Messenger and Twitter apps gobble up lots of mobile data. Perhaps the “light” versions are something for you?
BUSINESS - MARKETING - 04.09.2017
Increase your business’s visibility on the Internet
In addition to your own website, the World Wide Web offers several other channels to make your business more well known. How can you use Google and Facebook to help you achieve this?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 04.09.2017
New insights for more efficient e-mail use
The way in which you process your e-mail can have a drastic impact on your productivity. What are the new trends in the field of e-mail workflows?
E-MAIL - SPAM - 04.09.2017
Incoming e-mails wrongly labelled as spam
Many e-mail services automatically label your incoming e-mail as spam if it contains ads or other unwanted content. What can you do if this automatic procedure goes wrong?
TELEPHONY - SMARTPHONES & TABLETS - 04.09.2017
Clean up your smartphone or tablet
Is your smartphone or tablet crammed with apps which you rarely use, if at all? Is your device becoming slow as a result? Then it’s high time for a thorough clean-up!
BUSINESS - STARTUPS - 04.09.2017
Starting up a business in 2017
Brexit is causing some uncertainty but if you’re planning to start a business soon, there are basic things to consider. We’ve looked for online help.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 04.09.2017
Tips for better web texts
Are you aware of how your (potential) customers read the texts you present on your website? How can you make good use of this information? We collected several useful tips from different usability experts.
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 04.09.2017
What do your colleagues or customers think?
Are you thinking of launching a new product or opening a new branch, or are you planning a company outing with colleagues? Which polling tools can help you find out what’s popular?
