2018 -
November
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COMMUNITIES - 28.11.2018
How to distribute your videos
Videos can be very effective for product presentations, testimonials from satisfied customers, a look behind the scenes of your business, etc. You can distribute videos through different channels. What are the best options?
SEARCHING - MISCELLANEOUS - 28.11.2018
Figures and statistics in Google
Google recently launched a new search engine: Google Dataset Search. What can you expect from it and is this specialised website better than the “normal” Google in your quest for information?
SOFTWARE - MISCELLANEOUS - 28.11.2018
Portable software
Would you like to have access to all your favourite applications on a USB stick, so that you always have them to hand? The free LiberKey helps you create a stick full of “portable” programs. How does it work?
SOFTWARE - APPS - 28.11.2018
What questions can you ask Google Assistant?
Google Assistant is a virtual smart, voice-operated assistant that is available on mobile and smart home devices. What kind of questions can you ask this app and how well does it work?
WEB SERVICES & SOFTWARE - CHAT - 28.11.2018
Making better use of Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger allows you to chat with your Facebook contacts. However, the app contains many more useful features besides chatting. Here are some of them.
COMPUTER - PERIPHERALS - 28.11.2018
Make more efficient use of the mouse
In spite of the growing popularity of touchscreens, the mouse remains an indispensable computer tool. Which tools let you expand its possibilities even further? We made a selection for you.
WEB SERVICES & SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 28.11.2018
Combine Google Docs and Microsoft Word
Using Google Docs to collaborate on a document is ideal as everything is sitting in the cloud. Even if you prefer working with Microsoft Word you can use Google Docs. How does this work?
SOFTWARE - APPS - 28.11.2018
What questions can you ask Apple Siri?
Even before Google came up with its Assistant, Apple had its own voice-operated assistant: Siri. How can this iPhone and iPad voice assistant help you? And how does it compare with Google Assistant?
COMMUNICATIONS - SOCIAL MEDIA - 28.11.2018
The which, why and how of social media
A recent survey showed that SMEs will increase their marketing expenditure in 2019 with social media being the top priority.
WEB SERVICES & SOFTWARE - AUDIO - 28.11.2018
Looking for a voice?
Do you need a (professional) voice for, say, the presentation and launch of a new product in your business? Where can you find good voices?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL ADDRESS - 28.11.2018
Finding e-mail addresses
Suppose you have caught the name of an interesting contact somewhere, but you don’t have their e-mail address. Is it possible to find that address in one way or another?
LOANS - 26.11.2018
Loans to directors - when do special charges not apply?
A stiff tax for your company can arise if you borrow money from it. A colleague tells you it can be avoided if the loan is on commercial terms. Is she correct and are there other ways the tax bill might be dodged?
MAKING TAX DIGITAL - 26.11.2018
HMRC plans MTD delay for some businesses
Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV) starts in earnest in several months. Virtually all registered businesses will have to comply, but not necessarily from 1 April 2019. What’s the start date for your business?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 26.11.2018
When is a dividend taxable?
Just before the end of the tax year you drew some cash from your company’s bank account for personal use. Now we’re in another tax year you intend to treat the payment as a dividend. When will you have to pay tax on it?
PENALTIES - 26.11.2018
HMRC to refund HICBC penalties
Thousands of penalties relating to the high income child benefit charge (HICBC) are to be reviewed by HMRC and may be repaid. Might you be in line for a refund?
VAT - 26.11.2018
How much VAT is payable on supplies to your workers?
One of our subscribers runs a building firm. When equipment is no longer needed by the business he offers it to one of his subcontractors. He’s never accounted for VAT as he considers the items worthless. Is he wrong to do this?
PUBLIC LIABILITY - 26.11.2018
Allergies - know your responsibilities
High street chains like Pret a Manger are facing criticism for their approach to allergen labelling. But what are your responsibilities when it comes to protecting staff when food is offered on site, either in a canteen or in meetings, etc.?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 26.11.2018
Health and safety in shared premises
Like many small companies you might share rented premises with other businesses. In this situation how are the responsibilities for health and safety divided up between the landlord, you and the other tenants?
VAT - 26.11.2018
Selling an unregistered business - is it VATable?
A couple of years ago you started a part-time business. It’s gone better than expected and you’ve received an offer for it. The amount you’ll be paid will push you over the registration threshold, so should you charge VAT?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 26.11.2018
Chancellor gets tough on entrepreneurs’ relief
Entrepreneurs’ relief (ER) was hit with two blows from the Chancellor in the Budget. If you’re considering selling your business or shares in an ER qualifying company, how might the proposed changes affect you?
PRICING - 26.11.2018
Time for a price re-match?
Price matching has been cited as one of the main reasons behind the dramatic dive in John Lewis’s latest profit forecast. Two supermarkets have scrapped their price guarantee schemes this year. What can businesses take from this?
WORKPLACE STRESS - 26.11.2018
Managing mental health
More workers are signed off with mental health and behavioural conditions than for musculo-skeletal problems. What advice is out there to help you spot any issues and support staff accordingly?
WORKING TIME - 26.11.2018
Last minute festive closures
As Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Monday it’s been suggested you close on those days. If any staff don’t have enough holiday left to cover these dates, can you force them to take unpaid leave?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 26.11.2018
Should you warn clients off real-time CGT reporting?
Real-time capital gains tax reporting has been around since 2017, but is little known. It appears to offer a way of reporting gains without needing self-assessment, but why might you advise clients to avoid it?
VAT - 26.11.2018
Save VAT on professional services
Most professional services are standard-rated supplies, and can therefore cause problems if your clients are unable to reclaim VAT and need some specialist work done. How might you help to save them the VAT cost and avoid problems with HMRC?
ENTREPRENEURS’ RELIEF - 26.11.2018
Budget change = ER trap
If your clients are contemplating selling shares, the 2018 Budget contained announcements that mean you may need to review their eligibility for entrepreneurs’ relief as a matter of urgency. What’s the story?
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - 26.11.2018
R&D relief for SMEs that have received grant funding
One of your clients has asked you to help them claim research and development expenditure. On examining the records you discover that the client has received “notified” state aid funding in respect of some of its projects. Will they miss out?
PRIVATE RESIDENCE RELIEF - 26.11.2018
PRR and lettings relief - act now to preserve it
A number of recent cases have put private residence relief back in the spotlight. Additionally, the 2018 Budget contained some unwelcome news for potential sellers. What are the changes announced, and why is it worth reflecting on the relief for clients now?
CORPORATION TAX - 26.11.2018
Shorten accounting period to avoid s.455 charge
One of our subscribers has a client who has borrowed money from their company to help with a home move, but they are now struggling to repay it. Can they do anything to postpone the cutoff for the s.455 tax charge?
INHERITANCE TAX - 26.11.2018
Help clients avoid being caught out by the deeming rules
The deemed domicile rules for inheritance tax were tightened from April 2017, making it easier for your clients to be caught in the death tax net. How has a common misinterpretation of the rule potentially caught clients out?
PPE - 19.11.2018
Safety boots worn out?
One of your staff has been spreading a rumour that as soon as a steel toe cap is exposed on a safety boot they must be replaced. Is there any truth to this, and if this level of wear is not permitted what are your options?
DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT - 19.11.2018
Must you provide special sight tests?
An optician has referred one of your employees to see a specialist due to dyslexia. There will be a cost for this extra test and specific lenses if deemed necessary. Are you required to contribute?
FALLS FROM HEIGHT - 19.11.2018
Resident fell through balcony
A construction company and its director have been prosecuted following an incident in which a resident fell through a plastic panel. How could this have been avoided?
ASBESTOS - 19.11.2018
Developer assumed to have disturbed asbestos
The owner of a building has been given a suspended prison sentence after it was discovered that major refurbishment had taken place without an asbestos survey. Why was the HSE so sure asbestos had been disturbed?
RIDDOR - 19.11.2018
Major overhaul of RIDDOR proposed
The HSE has reviewed the success of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 and has proposed some changes. What’s on the horizon?
ACCIDENT STATISTICS - 19.11.2018
2017/18 HSE statistics
The HSE has published its annual accident and occupational ill-health statistics. What can be learned from the numbers?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 19.11.2018
Poor management of mental health is costly
According to an online survey conducted by St John Ambulance, one in four employees have quit a job due to mental health issues. What can you do to keep your staff happy, productive and in work?
EMPLOYMENT STATUS - 19.11.2018
EU employee status post-Brexit
For months there has been uncertainty over the employment status of EU citizens in the UK in the immediate aftermath of Brexit. The government has now given some guidance on this issue. What do you need to know?
MINIMUM WAGE - 19.11.2018
The 2019/20 NLW and NMW rates
The Chancellor has announced that the national living wage (NLW) will rise in April 2019. But what about the national minimum wage (NMW) and the so-called real Living Wage? Will they be changing too?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES - 19.11.2018
Disciplinary procedures and witness statements
An employee has been accused of serious misconduct. You’ve taken witness statements from several colleagues who say that they “didn’t see anything”. Should you disclose them to the accused?
CONTRACTS - 19.11.2018
Employee is refusing to sign their contract
You’ve hired a new employee and given them a written employment contract. However, they’re refusing to sign and return it as they don’t agree with one of the terms. Despite this they are still turning up for work. How should you play it?
SMOKING - 19.11.2018
No smoking or vaping during breaks
Dundee City Council has banned its employees from smoking or vaping anywhere during their working hours, even if they go off site during a break. Can you ban your employees from smoking and vaping during breaks?
PREGNANT EMPLOYEES - 19.11.2018
Conducting risk assessments for pregnant employees
You probably broadly know that you need to carry out risk assessments for pregnant employees, but you may not know exactly how far your obligations extend. What does the law say on this issue?
EMPLOYMENT STATUS - 19.11.2018
Private sector IR35 reforms announced
It’s been confirmed that the public sector off-payroll working rules will be extended to the private sector from April 2020, but not to all businesses. Who’s to be exempt?
STAFF HANDBOOKS - 19.11.2018
What should you include in a company car policy?
If you provide any of your employees with a company car, you should put in place a detailed company car policy. What specific points should you address when drafting this type of benefits policy?
HR STRATEGY - 19.11.2018
The worth of PESTEL analysis
Your MD wants an assessment of future labour market conditions for the business’ five-year plan. How could a PESTEL analysis help you identify the key factors in your industry’s operating environment which could seriously impact your ability to recruit the best people?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 19.11.2018
Managing persistent short-term sickness absence
Most employees will occasionally need a few days off because of illness and you must therefore tolerate a certain amount of sickness absence. However, what should you do when persistent short-term sickness absence reaches an unacceptable level?
TIME OFF - 19.11.2018
What do you need to know about time off for dependants?
There’s currently no statutory right to compassionate leave, nor to time off to deal with domestic emergencies. The only right is to time off for dependants. How far does this statutory right extend and how much time off do you have to provide?
WORK AND PARENTS - 19.11.2018
New measures to support workers
The government has announced a series of new measures that it’s proposing to either consider or introduce to support workers. What’s on the horizon?
SALARY SACRIFICE - 13.11.2018
Less pay for more holiday - what’s the tax position?
One of your employees has asked if she can give up some of her salary for extra holiday. You’re aware that there are special tax and NI rules for sacrificing pay for benefits. How do they apply in this situation?
PROPERTY - 13.11.2018
Private residence relief under attack again
In an unhappy case the Upper Tribunal decided there was capital gains tax to pay on a gain made from selling a property which had only ever been used by the owner as his main residence. Why and how might the decision affect you?
BUDGET - 13.11.2018
2018 Budget - the small print
As usual, the more interesting Budget changes didn’t feature in the Chancellor’s speech but in the documents produced by HMRC. What important changes might you have overlooked?
BUDGET - INCOME TAX AND NI RATES - 13.11.2018
New tax and NI bands - how much better off will you be?
The Chancellor announced a substantial hike in the thresholds for basic rate tax and NI. At first sight these look generous, but looks can be deceiving. How much better off might you be from April 2019?
EXPENSES - 13.11.2018
Scale rate solution to expenses
If you’re fed up with processing endless receipts for cups of coffee, sandwiches and other expenses for employees whilst on business, could scale rates be the answer? If so, are you stuck with fixed amounts?
PENSIONS - 13.11.2018
Pension pitfalls
The Chancellor didn’t mention the word pension once in his latest Budget speech, perhaps because he’s as confused as employers are by the complexities of this subject. What do you need to know?
STAFF TIPS - 13.11.2018
Staff tips - tips and traps
The subject of who actually receives tips has been in the news recently. The government has now announced plans to ensure that more of what customers leave as tips go to staff, but what are the tax, NI and minimum wage rules?
STATUS - 13.11.2018
It’s not what they do, it’s the way that they do it!
One of the 2018 Budget headlines centred on the topic of contractors and how they’re paid in the private sector. What do you need to know about the rules for the different types of working arrangement, and what’s changing in 2020?
BUDGET 2018 - 13.11.2018
Budget delivers more complexity
It wasn’t as quiet a budget as some had expected, especially for those involved in payroll. What are the key elements that might affect you?
E-MAIL - WEBMAIL - 12.11.2018
Getting started with the new Gmail
Earlier in 2018 we introduced the completely revamped version of the popular Gmail webmail service. How do you get the most out of your Gmail account? Here are our tips.
LEISURE - TRAVEL - 12.11.2018
Do more with your Booking.com reservations
Booking.com is the probably the best known website for hotel bookings, and it certainly has by far the largest offerings. Here are a few tips to make the most of this service.
LEISURE - BOOKS - 12.11.2018
The Apple Books app revamped
Apple Books has been completely revamped in iOS 12 (for iPad and iPhone). What does the new version have to offer, and is this an alternative to a “real” e-reader like the Amazon Kindle?
TRAINING - ONLINE COURSES - 12.11.2018
Online business courses: where do you find them?
Suppose you want to improve your business skills or those of your employees via an online course. Which websites will help you in your search for good online training courses?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 12.11.2018
Working with macros in Office
As you probably know, you can use macros in Word and Excel. They are very useful as they allow you to bundle a series of instructions into a single command. How do you get started with macros?
COMPUTER - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - 12.11.2018
AI - game changer or a risk for SMEs?
A recent survey has shown there is growing belief that artificial intelligence will drive innovation in the next three years but that SMEs are unprepared.
SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 12.11.2018
Notifications from Google
You can get notifications from websites via the Google Chrome browser, while the free Google Alerts service sends you news notifications. What is the difference and how do you manage them?
WEB SERVICES - annotation - 12.11.2018
How to make notes on online documents
It may come in handy to be able to add your own notes to online documents - for instance on webpages or PDFs. How do you do this and which tools can help you?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE STORAGE - 12.11.2018
Free up space in the cloud
The free space available from cloud storage tools such as Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive and Dropbox is not unlimited. Apply the following tips to free up space in your cloud.
SOFTWARE & WEB SERVICES - GRAPHICS - 12.11.2018
Create an animated video
Would you like to use an animated video or cartoon to present your company or your products? You can have such a video created by a professional, of course, but why not try it yourself? The following tools will help you.
GDPR - 12.11.2018
Could you be liable if employee data is misused?
Most small businesses hold a variety of employee personal data, for example, address and payroll information. If a staff member misuses this data without your knowledge, can you be held responsible for their actions?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 12.11.2018
Ripped off by an H&S consultant?
As a responsible employer you want to keep on the right side of the law. But the Health & Safety Executive believes some consultants are conducting unnecessary assessments which can cost a fortune in additional insurance etc. What’s the situation?
COMMERCIAL LAW - 12.11.2018
Name change pitfalls
Dunkin Donuts has just become Dunkin and Weight Watchers has switched to WW. Why do businesses change names and what are the legal and practical implications of a rebrand?
TAX - 12.11.2018
The 2018 Budget highlights
The Chancellor’s Budget included a few welcome changes and a few that were less desirable. What impact might these have on you and your business?
PR - 12.11.2018
Protecting your good name
Your online reputation is a delicate creature. You can put in years of hard work nurturing it, only for one rogue review to dash it to pieces. What can you do to protect it, and is there any action you can take if things go wrong?
TAX - COMPANY CARS - 12.11.2018
The trouble with pool cars
HMRC is known for challenging businesses that provide pool cars for employees. If it succeeds it’s not just your employees that face extra tax, your business will have to pay NI contributions too. What can you do to protect against this?
