2018 -
March
INCORPORATION - 28.03.2018
Avoid losing your ability to claim old VAT
You’re transferring your business to your new company which will then register for VAT. The company will take over the current business wholesale. Does that entitle it to reclaim VAT on purchases made by the old business?
BAD DEBTS - 28.03.2018
Bad debt relief when leaving a VAT group
The ability to claim bad debt relief is important for aiding cash flow. How has an Upper Tribunal decision set the current precedent when a company leaves a VAT group, and how can you protect yourself if this is overturned on appeal?
CONSTRUCTION - 28.03.2018
What building services can be reduced or zero-rated?
The VAT liability of construction services can be a minefield - the VAT rate is affected by the type of work being done. How do you ensure you don’t miss out on applying the reduced or zero rate?
PLACE OF SUPPLY - 28.03.2018
Land-related services and the place of supply rules
The place of supply rules are very important in determining whether you need to charge output tax. How do the rules apply to land-related services, and how could you avoid penalties being charged if you make them?
TAX POINTS - 28.03.2018
Leaving cash accounting without cash-flow problems
The cash accounting scheme is a valuable way of simplifying a small business’s VAT reporting, but if you leave the scheme your cash flow can take a hit. What can you do to continue enjoying the benefits?
GRANT FUNDING - 28.03.2018
Payment for a contract or a grant?
If you receive funding you will need to ascertain whether the payments are for a taxable supply of services or a grant which is outside the scope of VAT. How is HMRC now helping with this?
BENEFITS IN KIND - 26.03.2018
A tax-free company vehicle?
If your clients are looking at tax-efficient benefits for 2018/19, it could be worth discussing the tax savings offered by using a company van instead of a car. What advice could you give them so that they might even get this tax free?
COMPANY TAXES - 26.03.2018
Is a transfer between group companies really tax free?
One of your company clients wants to separate its valuable assets (especially the trading premises) from the trade by transferring them to a holding company to protect them from potential claims. Are there any hidden tax consequences you need to look out for?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 26.03.2018
Optimum tax efficiency in 2018/19
From 6 April 2018 the dividend allowance will drop to just £2,000, coinciding with the annual shifts in the personal allowance and basic rate band. How will this affect your owner-manager clients for 2018/19?
TRADING PROFITS - 26.03.2018
When is a herd basis election beneficial?
If you have clients with production herds, e.g. farmers with dairy cattle, they can elect to use special rules that could result in big tax savings. When will this be most efficient, and what can you do if they have missed the election window?
PENALTIES - 26.03.2018
Fighting off a computer-generated penalty
An article in a leading broadsheet newspaper has heralded a Tribunal decision as an indicator that automatic penalties for late filing of personal tax returns might be illegal. Is this correct, and what might you be able to do for your clients?
VAT - 26.03.2018
Does HMRC’s “best judgement” reflect the facts?
Following a compliance visit, your client might receive an assessment based on the officer’s “best judgement”. But is it always valid in practice and how can it be challenged if you think the officer has assessed the wrong amount of VAT?
PAYE - 26.03.2018
Teething problems with dynamic coding
HMRC’s new dynamic coding has been in place since July 2017, but a problem has been identified which has changed its operation slightly. What’s HMRC had to say and what do you need to look out for with your clients?
AGENCY WORKERS - 23.03.2018
Can agency workers’ rights be offset?
After twelve weeks, an agency worker has the legal right to the same pay, holidays and working hours as their directly employed counterparts. But can you give agency workers less holiday and slightly more pay instead?
DATA PROTECTION - 23.03.2018
A mandatory GDPR privacy notice for staff
The General Data Protection Regulation comes into force on 25 May 2018. From then, you’ll have to give staff more detailed information about the data you hold on them and how it’s processed. How must this be done?
RECRUITMENT - 23.03.2018
Interview questions about mental health conditions
Around 25% of employees experience a mental health condition each year. As this can result in time off work, can you enquire whether a job applicant has a mental health condition during an interview or would this be unlawful?
DISCIPLINARY hearINGS - 23.03.2018
Disciplinary proceedings: it’s decision time
Following a disciplinary hearing, the chair must decide whether a disciplinary offence has been committed and, where necessary, the appropriate sanction. Why is it dangerous to reach these decisions immediately?
PENSIONS - 23.03.2018
Changes to pension contributions
On 6 April 2018 the amount you must contribute to an employee’s workplace pension under auto-enrolment increases from 1% to 2%. But what will happen in the 2019/20 tax year?
DISMISSAL - 23.03.2018
Dismissed but you didn’t know she was pregnant
You recently had cause to dismiss a female employee. However, you’ve since discovered that she is pregnant - a fact you were unaware at the point of her dismissal. Can she claim that her dismissal was automatically unfair?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 16.03.2018
Outlook on your smartphone or tablet
The Outlook e-mail app for mobile devices is updated regularly. High time to check what the most recent changes are...
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 16.03.2018
Protect your Office documents
Word (and Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) is equipped with various functions to protect your documents, so that not just anyone can open or edit them. How do you make good use of these functions?
SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 16.03.2018
Chrome blocks ads… but not all of them
Almost 20% of Internet users ban ads from the websites they visit via ad blockers. Google wants to curb the use of these tools. Is it successful and why would you still need a “real” ad blocker?
TELEPHONY - MISCELLANEOUS - 16.03.2018
Recording telephone calls: how?
When making a call for work or private purposes, it may be useful to be able to record your conversation. Is this possible on your iOS or Android smartphone and what tools can you use?
SOFTWARE - MISCELLANEOUS - 16.03.2018
Working more efficiently with TeamViewer
The free TeamViewer program allows you to take control over someone else’s computer, or vice versa. This can come in handy to resolve technical issues or to collaborate in real time. How do you work more efficiently in TeamViewer?
SECURITY - PRIVACY - 16.03.2018
Location data: sensitive information?
The usual advice is to handle the location data relating to your digital photos carefully. To what extent does this data constitute a privacy issue and what should you do?
WEB SERVICES - VIDEO - 16.03.2018
How do you spread video messages?
Don’t underestimate the importance of videos for business purposes! We will explain why, and direct you to some platforms where you can post your professional videos.
EDUCATION - TRAINING - 16.03.2018
All about apprenticeships
With one of the UK’s major providers of apprentice training programmes being criticised, we’ve examined the background and options for apprenticeships.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE PROMOTION - 16.03.2018
Making more of Google AdWords
Google AdWords helps you to make your website rank higher in the Google search results. Here are some tips to use AdWords to make the result even better.
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COLLABORATION - 16.03.2018
A virtual wall: something for you?
There are different ways you can set about brainstorming business ideas. Mural enables you to create online boards on which you can collaborate with others in real time. Is it useful?
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 16.03.2018
Protect your data in the cloud
It goes without saying that you should protect your local device properly. However, you shouldn’t neglect your online data. How do you prevent unwanted access to your surfing traffic, chats, e-mails and cloud storage?
LOANS - 16.03.2018
Increase tax relief with a homemade loan swap
HMRC won’t allow you tax relief for interest you pay on loans used to buy or improve your home. But if you’re an owner manager of a business, you might be able to obtain relief by the back door. How is it done?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 16.03.2018
Structuring your income tax efficiently for 2018/19
As a director shareholder of a company you have more opportunities than most to organise your income tax affairs efficiently. With that in mind, and as a new tax year starts on 6 April, how should you approach it?
TAX ENQUIRIES - 16.03.2018
Can HMRC investigate an earlier tax year?
HMRC has started an enquiry into your 2016/17 personal tax return. The inspector is now asking for information for an earlier year to help them check 2016/17. Are they allowed to do this?
ANTI-AVOIDANCE - 16.03.2018
Disguised remuneration deadline is weeks away
Some years ago you used a popular disguised remuneration scheme to reduce the tax on your income. It appeared to work, but your accountant now says you should tell HMRC about it by 31 May 2018. Why should you follow their advice?
VAT - 16.03.2018
A VAT trap for salary costs
Your company has a contract to supply goods and services to a customer. A sister company will supply yours with the staff for the service part of the contract and charge you for their time. Does it have to charge VAT on this?
PAYE - 16.03.2018
HMRC’s latest advice for employers
The 2017/18 tax year ends on 5 April. With this in mind HMRC has published some final advice on what’s required from employers. What do you need to know?
LAND AND BUILDINGS TRANSACTION TAX - 16.03.2018
Do you have more land transaction tax to pay?
Land and buildings transaction tax is three years old on 1 April 2018. As a result, there are new deadlines and possibly more tax to pay for tenants of non-residential property. What steps should you be taking?
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS - 16.03.2018
Termination through settlement
Settlement agreements can be used to end an employment relationship on agreed terms. When should you consider using a settlement agreement and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using one?
STAFF HANDBOOKS - 16.03.2018
Getting your sickness absence policy right
You have a legal duty to provide specified information to employees relating to sickness absence, plus a well-drafted sickness absence policy can cover other important matters too. What should your written policy contain?
PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION - 16.03.2018
Are you still living in the dark ages?
It seems that a high number of employers still have discriminatory attitudes towards employing pregnant employees and new mothers. What’s the issue here?
RECRUITMENT - 16.03.2018
Legal issues when requesting or providing a reference
When considering whether to request a reference for a prospective employee or to provide one for a current or former employee, there are a number of legal issues you need to be aware of. What are they?
DISCRIMINATION - 16.03.2018
When is ignorance a defence?
The Court of Appeal has ruled that an employer didn’t have constructive knowledge of an employee’s disability as it had taken reasonable steps to find out whether she was disabled. What are the implications of this decision?
PART-TIME WORKING - 16.03.2018
What rights do part-time workers really have?
With over 25% of the UK workforce now working part time, it’s likely you employ at least one part-time worker and, if so, you must ensure you comply with their legal rights to equal treatment with full-time workers. What do these rights provide?
EMPLOYMENT LAW REFORM - 16.03.2018
The “Good Work” plan - what can we expect from it?
The government has finally published its detailed response to the 2017 Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices. What does it say, and are we likely to see any significant employment law changes as a result?
TAX - PAYROLL - 15.03.2018
Employers and the new termination payment rules
You’re in talks with an employee about the end of their employment. You’ll be paying them off after the new tax rules for termination payments take effect. How will this affect the PAYE tax and NI will you have to account for?
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - 15.03.2018
Finding a decent accountant
An accountant is likely to be one of the most important professionals you’ll hire. So how can you make sure you choose a good one that will deliver value to the business and grow with it?
LEGAL COMPLIANCE - 15.03.2018
Can a director countersign a passport application?
An employee has asked you to countersign their passport application on the basis that you are a director. Isn’t this only for lawyers, doctors and members of the clergy etc.?
PR - 15.03.2018
Don’t make a chicken out of a crisis
KFC hit the headlines in February 2018 for all the wrong reasons when it ran out of its core ingredient - chicken. But can you learn anything from how the company dealt with the fallout?
TAX - VAT - 15.03.2018
New VAT scheme open for registration
If you store goods for non-EU overseas businesses, you may be required to register for HMRC’s new VAT and duties scheme. Stiff penalties apply if you don’t. What’s involved?
PROMOTION - 15.03.2018
Trade show tips and tactics
It’s trade show time for you and your staff, and you’ve spent a fortune on a stand at a couple of the most important events for your sector. But how do you make the most of this opportunity?
FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT - ROUTINE TASKS - 15.03.2018
Routine fire safety tasks
Managing fire safety involves regular work to upkeep equipment, procedures, housekeeping and training. Use our guide to find out what’s required and how often it needs to be carried out.
WORK AT HEIGHT - 15.03.2018
Tenant fell through walkway under repair
Two construction companies have been fined following an incident involving a tenant falling through a balcony walkway. What action should have been taken to prevent it?
WORKPLACE TRANSPORT - 15.03.2018
£1.4m for death of worker
Tata Steel has been given a heavy fine in connection with an accident in which an employee was crushed to death. The underlying causes could occur in many business settings, so what happened and what can be learned?
MENTAL HEALTH - 15.03.2018
One million to be trained in mental health first aid
A new £15 million, three-year programme has been announced to help members of the public respond effectively to mental health issues. What is mental health first aid and what does the training involve?
CONFINED SPACES - 15.03.2018
Working with gases in confined spaces
If your staff and contractors work with gases in small rooms and other confined spaces, updated guidance will help you avoid fatal errors. What does it cover and what is its status?
DRIVING - 15.03.2018
Driving hours and rest breaks
New enforcement powers for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency came into force on 5 March. How might the changes affect your drivers?
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - 15.03.2018
Supplying agency workers with kit
Your business employs temporary agency workers from time to time. Do you or the agency have the responsibility to supply them with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)?
EMPLOYMENT STATUS - 15.03.2018
What’s next for status?
It seems hardly a week goes by without there being another high-profile case about employment status that leads to costly tax bills and increased workers’ rights. Could your business be exposed?
SCOTTISH INCOME TAX - 15.03.2018
Scotland goes it alone
The Scottish Parliament published its income tax plans for 2018/19 in December 2017. Where are we now and how should you handle pension tax relief?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 15.03.2018
National Insurance - the detail
National Insurance (NI) is an increasingly important source of income for the government. Your role in payroll means that you need to get to grips with the minutiae of NI. What’s the most important thing to get right?
TERMINATION PAYMENTS - 15.03.2018
All change for termination payments
From the start of the new tax year on 6 April, the tax treatment of payments in lieu of notice to employees will change. What are the key things you need to be aware of to ensure compliance?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 08.03.2018
£1,000 tribunal award for spending a penny
A disabled employee who frequently needs to use the toilet has been awarded £1,000 by the tribunal. This was because his employer delayed giving him a lift key to access staff toilet facilities more quickly. Why was this a problem?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 08.03.2018
Inappropriate language policy?
A well-known law firm has introduced a new policy that recommends staff should call out inappropriate language by saying “that’s not cool”. Should you give your employees similar advice?
NOTICE - 08.03.2018
Can I leave before my notice period ends?
An employee who has a three-month notice period has just tendered their resignation. It states that they would like to leave before their notice period expires. How should you approach their request?
HEALTH AND SAFETY - 08.03.2018
Kneeling chairs: are they OK or not?
An employee who’s been experiencing some lower back pain has been to see an osteopath. They’ve suggested that a kneeling chair is used whilst the employee undertakes desk-based work. Should you agree?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 08.03.2018
Sickness absence over bank holidays
A few days before a bank holiday one of your employees goes off sick. If their sickness absence subsequently extends over the bank holiday period will they be entitled to compensatory holiday?
LAY-OFFS - 08.03.2018
Lay-offs: closures due to supply problems
In February 2018 KFC had to close hundreds of its outlets due to problems in its supply chain. If you were forced to shut your business for the same reason, would you have an automatic right to lay off your employees?
PAYROLL - 05.03.2018
Planning for the termination payment changes
Changes to the way in which payments made on the termination of employment are taxed come into effect from 6 April 2018. What are the changes and is there any last-minute planning you can do to gain from the current rules?
DATA PROTECTION - 05.03.2018
GDPR and the finance function
On 25 May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force. How can you ensure that finance is compliant?
PRICING - 05.03.2018
Is teaser pricing worth trying?
Your company is looking to increase sales and the MD is intending to introduce teaser pricing. She has asked you to analyse the potential financial impact of this new pricing strategy. Where do you start?
FINANCIAL REPORTING - 05.03.2018
FRS 102 or FRS 105?
If your company qualifies as a micro-entity, you have the choice of using either the simplified micro-entity accounts rules (FRS 105) or the standard UK GAAP rules (FRS 102) to prepare its accounts. Which one is best?
YEAR END - 05.03.2018
Financial accounts reconciliation
The auditors have just completed their work and produced a draft set of financial statements. The directors don’t recognise them compared with the monthly management accounts. How should you present your reconciliation?
UTILITIES - 05.03.2018
The great energy over-charge
New research shows that one in four users have been overcharged for their energy consumption. What simple steps can you follow to avoid this and how much is at stake?
INVESTMENT DECISIONS - 05.03.2018
Capital rationing
Your company has a number of investment opportunities competing for capital. The shareholders would also like to draw some dividends, having abstained for the last few years. How can you assess which opportunities to proceed with?
INTERNET - 05.03.2018
What level of service for your broadband?
Business broadband packages can be very different to those you get at home. But did you know that choosing one with a decent service level agreement could cut frustration and save money?
MINIMUM WAGE - 05.03.2018
Which living wage to pay?
There are two living wages - one with statutory force and one paid by some employers on a voluntary basis. But could you actually save by paying staff more, and if so, how much?
