2020 -
June
HOLIDAY PAY - 30.06.2020
Mitigating the cost of untaken holiday
As employees start to return to work, your company could be facing a backlog of annual leave requests. How can you manage it to avoid staff shortages?
CORONAVIRUS - STATUTORY ACCOUNTS - 30.06.2020
An ongoing concern?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, auditors are increasingly referring to going concern uncertainties in their audit reports on company accounts. What could this mean for your company?
CORPORATION TAX - 30.06.2020
How to cash in on trading losses
According to the Bank of England, the UK is facing the worst recession in 300 years so many companies will be making losses in 2020. If your company is one of them, how can you turn these losses into cash refunds?
COMPANY CARS - 30.06.2020
Private fuel - getting the details right
A 2020 case highlights the risk of not getting the details right when asking company car drivers to reimburse the cost of private fuel. How can you ensure your company won’t be a hit with an unexpected NI bill?
CORONAVIRUS - CLEANING COSTS - 30.06.2020
Polishing off those cleaning costs
Ensuring that the work environment is “Covid-19” clean is likely to be top of every business’ to do list. This could involve more cleaning and more costs, so are there ways to cut back and keep staff safe?
CORONAVIRUS - WASTE - 30.06.2020
Why waste money?
All businesses create waste. However, if productivity is down or the site has fewer people working at it than usual, the amount of rubbish will be lower. How do you ensure that this is reflected in your contractor’s bills and what are the potential savings?
CORONAVIRUS - ENERGY COSTS - 30.06.2020
Keep energy costs under control
If you are about to reopen the offices or a workplace then now is the time to do a few quick checks that could save hundreds of pounds in energy payments. What are they and what will you save?
LEGAL FEES - 30.06.2020
Lowering legal fees
Research shows that SMEs experience eight legal issues a year, with half resulting in costs of £5,000. But many businesses are reluctant to use lawyers. What are the benefits of hiring one and how can you push their fees down?
CORONAVIRUS - INSURANCE - 30.06.2020
Business interruption insurance - are you covered?
Some insurers are refusing to cover losses arising from the coronavirus pandemic so the FCA is seeking an urgent court decision to provide clarity. What steps can you take in the meantime to put the company in the strongest position possible?
CORONAVIRUS - 26.06.2020
Flexible furlough - detail added
You can flexibly furlough employees from 1 July. A just-published Treasury Direction sets out the framework.
HMRC COMPLIANCE - 25.06.2020
Can HMRC demand security from clients?
One of your clients has been struggling with cash flow and has had issues paying their PAYE liabilities on time. Reeling from the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, HMRC is now demanding a security payment. What does this mean for your client?
CORONAVIRUS - FURNISHED HOLIDAY LETTINGS - 25.06.2020
Preserving FHL status during lockdown
One of your clients lets several holiday lodges. They are approaching retirement, and are considering selling the properties in the next few years. How could coronavirus cause a nasty tax trap, and how can you help them?
CORONAVIRUS - CASH BASIS - 25.06.2020
Helping clients to maximise cash flow
Coronavirus has led to an increased need for cash in hand. The government has deferred the second payment on account due in July 2020, but should self-employed clients automatically do this, and what other options should you be looking at?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 25.06.2020
Property business incorporation: planning and traps
A client with a significant property portfolio is considering incorporating their business. What are the key considerations and are there any traps to avoid or tax planning ideas you can suggest?
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT - 25.06.2020
Increase to large company relief scheme
At the 2020 Budget the government announced its intention to increase its spending on research and development. What measure is effective from April 2020, which clients can benefit, and how can you best provide advice?
CORPORATION TAX - 25.06.2020
Intangible fixed assets: changes to regime
The 2020 Budget announced that intangible fixed assets acquired from 1 July 2020 will be taxed under a single regime. What does this mean for your clients, and will the changes really make the intangibles regime simpler?
CORONAVIRUS - INPUT TAX - 25.06.2020
Coronavirus-related costs: what can clients reclaim in VAT?
The coronavirus crisis means that many of your clients will need to take out a new bank loan or overdraft. They might also need to make staff redundant and relocate others to homeworking or other sites. What VAT can they reclaim on the costs they incur?
GREEN INITIATIVES - 25.06.2020
Are green issues a priority?
More than 200 business leaders have signalled their intent to pursue a low-carbon future. How might their plans affect your business?
WASTE - 25.06.2020
Neighbours run ragged by waste criminal
A director has been found guilty following persistent breaches of his company’s waste permit. How did his actions lead to multiple neighbour complaints and ultimately land him in court?
CORONAVIRUS - HOMEWORKING - 25.06.2020
Homeworking cuts carbon
Changing working practices that were forced by the coronavirus pandemic have shown that homeworking can bring significant financial and environmental benefits for employers. What’s to know?
GREEN INITiATIVES - 25.06.2020
It’s good to share
The Chair of the Environment Agency has spoken of the importance of “disclosure” as a tool to drive environmental improvement. What does it mean and what are the benefits to organisations which participate?
CONTRACTING - 25.06.2020
Demonstrating green credentials
To satisfy client requirements, many contractors are being asked to go through the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) process. This includes answering questions that relate to environmental management. What’s involved?
CORONAVIRUS - TRANSPORT - 25.06.2020
Get on your bike?
The pandemic has put a new focus on the benefits of cycling and walking to work, as opposed to taking public transport or driving. What does the government’s Cycle to Work scheme offer small businesses?
SUSTAINABILITY - 25.06.2020
Opportunity for manufacturers
New research shows that those manufacturers which take sustainability seriously see increased profits and improved competitiveness. What are they doing and what can you learn from their efforts?
PENSIONS - 22.06.2020
Is there trouble ahead for pension savers?
The Upper Tribunal recently ruled for HMRC in a case involving a certain type of pension contribution. There’s now concern that it will claw back tax relief from others in the same situation. Is this something you should be worried about?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 22.06.2020
Selling your company - break it up to save tax
You’ve found a buyer for your business. They don’t want to buy the company itself, only its assets. You’ve been told that this can increase the tax you’ll have to pay on the sale. How can you make the arrangement more tax efficient?
CARS - 22.06.2020
Who’s entitled to tax-free mileage allowances?
The lease on your company car has ended but you’re delaying a new contract until your business recovers from the lockdown. Meanwhile you’re borrowing your other half’s car when you need to travel for work. Can you claim a tax deduction for this?
ACCOUNTS - 22.06.2020
When should you deduct bad debts?
Your firm’s financial year ends soon and while the accounts will show a profit you’re expecting them to include significant bad debts. How long will you have to wait to claim a tax deduction for these?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 22.06.2020
Using CGT losses efficiently
Our subscriber made capital gains from the sale of two assets and losses from the sale of another. The gains are taxable at different tax rates. Can they use the losses to reduce the higher rate tax or how should they be allocated?
VAT - 22.06.2020
How to make a successful late VAT claim
Your bookkeeper has found a batch of purchase invoices on which VAT hasn’t been reclaimed. They date back a few years and you think that it may be too late to reclaim the VAT. What is and isn’t allowed?
TAX PAYMENTS - 22.06.2020
HMRC to collect some tax debts sooner
Although HMRC is taking steps to help those who can’t afford to pay their bills, it’s changed its system to collect some tax sooner. What’s the full story?
CORONAVIRUS - CAPACITY - 22.06.2020
Managing capacity post-lockdown
The economy is starting to open but with demand likely to be down and concerns over staffing, you’ve started thinking about the balance of capacity versus level of business. How do you get this right to maximise profitability?
IT - PRODUCTIVITY - 22.06.2020
How to optimise employee collaboration
With homeworking becoming the “new norm” for many businesses, having the ability to collaborate with others on projects has become a key requirement. Is Samepage a solution worth considering in your business?
CORONAVIRUS - ANNUAL LEAVE - 22.06.2020
Payments in lieu of minimum holiday?
Under new rules, employees can carry certain holiday forward for up to two years if they’ve not been able to take it due to coronavirus. To prevent this, could you pay them in lieu for that holiday instead?
CORONAVIRUS - COSTS - 22.06.2020
Return to work savings
During the coronavirus lockdown, many businesses will have closed their offices with staff working from home. However, most will return to the office or site at some point. What are the five overheads where you can cut costs as you get back to business?
CORONAVIRUS - FURLOUGH FRAUD - 22.06.2020
Furlough fraud under scrutiny
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is a financial lifeline for many businesses and their employees. Now, HMRC wants to expand its powers to tackle those who exploit the scheme, holding directors personally liable where necessary. What do you need to know?
TAX - REDUNDANCY - 22.06.2020
Is there a tax deduction for making your spouse redundant?
Our subscriber is in the throws of a divorce. Her spouse is employed by her company but has agreed to leave in exchange for a pay-off. Our subscriber wants to know if she can make him redundant and so claim a tax deduction for the pay-off?
CORONAVIRUS - PPE - 17.06.2020
KN95 facemasks not up to standard
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety alert warning employers and suppliers not to purchase or use KN95 facemasks as personal protective equipment (PPE). What’s the problem and what should you look out for?
REDUNDANCY - 16.06.2020
Can you re-hire a previously redundant employee?
If you’ve made any redundancies over the last few months, perhaps due to the coronavirus pandemic, but you’re now in a position where you need to recruit again, can you re-hire any of the redundant employees?
CORONAVIRUS - SICKNESS ABSENCE - 16.06.2020
What are the implications for employers of test and trace?
The requirement to self-isolate for 14 days to limit the spread of coronavirus has been extended to cover where an individual is notified that they need to do so under the new NHS “test and trace” service. How does this affect employers?
CORONAVIRUS - TIME OFF - 16.06.2020
Emergency volunteering leave remains on hold
The government has now stated that there are no current plans to commence the emergency volunteering leave powers. Is this the last you’ll now hear of this leave?
CORONAVIRUS - PART-TIME WORKING - 16.06.2020
How will flexible furloughing work?
From 1 July 2020, you can ask furloughed employees to return to work on a part-time basis and then keep them on furlough for the remainder of their usual working hours. What do you need to know about flexible furloughing?
CORONAVIRUS - FURLOUGH - 16.06.2020
Flexible furloughing details released
Late on Friday evening (12 June) details were released concerning part-time working and much more besides. What do you need to know?
CORONAVIRUS - 12.06.2020
Furlough scheme statistics
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is proving to be a lifeline for far more businesses than anticipated. How many jobs is it supporting?
CORONAVIRUS - ENFORCEMENT - 11.06.2020
HSE back on inspection duty
The HSE has announced that it’s restarting proactive enforcement inspections. Who can expect a visit and what will inspectors be looking for?
CORONAVIRUS - 11.06.2020
Should you introduce fever screening?
An elevated temperature is one of the main symptoms of coronavirus. Can thermal imaging cameras be used successfully to reduce the risk in your workplace and if so, what are the considerations?
FIRE - 11.06.2020
Fire statistics: a good news story
The latest statistics for fire incidents in England have been released by the Home Office. It appears that the many years of hard work are starting to pay off. What do the numbers reveal?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 11.06.2020
Engineer lost half his blood in fall
A property refurbishment company has been fined £1.1 million after a worker fell three metres and suffered such serious injuries that he required a major blood transfusion. What caused the accident?
CORONAVIRUS - FIRST AID - 11.06.2020
First aid implications of coronavirus
As businesses reopen but with coronavirus continuing to be a threat, what changes might you need to make to your first aid arrangements? And what instruction should you provide to your first aiders?
FIRE SAFETY - 11.06.2020
Choosing a fire alarm system
You’re considering replacing your old fire alarm system and your fire engineer has advised (at significant expense) that it should have a fire control panel. Is this compulsory and what are the factors to consider?
CORONAVIRUS - CONSTRUCTION - 11.06.2020
Keeping coronavirus at bay on construction sites
A new website has been created by key players in the construction industry which shows how businesses are managing the risk of coronavirus. What practical examples have been shared?
SOCIAL MEDIA - 11.06.2020
Disgruntled employees and your social media accounts
The Cabinet Office has been left red-faced after an unauthorised tweet was posted to its official Twitter account. It’s believed that this was the work of a disgruntled employee. What should you do to protect your social media accounts?
CORONAVIRUS - FURLOUGH - 11.06.2020
Employer furlough contributions
As you’re doubtless aware, you will be required to make contributions to furlough payments starting in August. But what’s the detail?
RACE DISCRIMINATION - 11.06.2020
£28,000 for worker subjected to “kung fu” noises
A Chinese worker has been awarded £28,000 after colleagues subjected him to “kung fu” noises and other racial slurs. However, as the employer had taken disciplinary action against the offenders, why was the award made?
CORONAVIRUS - PAY - 11.06.2020
Test and trace - a right to full pay?
The government has launched its test and trace scheme to help stop the spread of coronavirus. If one of your employees is contacted by the service and advised to self-isolate for 14 days, are they entitled to receive full pay?
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS - 11.06.2020
Making settlement agreement offers
You’re negotiating a settlement agreement and wish to make the employee a formal offer to end their employment. How long should your offer remain open for and why shouldn’t it be open ended?
CORONAVIRUS - RECRUITMENT - 11.06.2020
Can an employee’s start date be postponed?
Having recruited a new employee a while ago, you’ve concluded that you need to postpone their agreed start date for a few weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Can you do this automatically or will you need the new hire’s agreement?
CORONAVIRUS - COMMUTING - 11.06.2020
Does your duty of care extend to commuting?
You know that you’re under a duty to provide a safe place of work. But in the current health crisis several employees have raised the issue of safety on their commute to work. What’s the position?
STATUTORY PARENTAL BEREAVEMENT PAY - 11.06.2020
Supporting bereaved parents
A new statutory payment for bereaved parents came into force on 6 April 2020. Given the coronavirus pandemic, it’s rather slipped under the radar, so what do you need to know about it?
CORONAVIRUS - STATUTORY SICK PAY - 11.06.2020
Reclaiming coronavirus sick pay
Having been overshadowed by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the reclaim service for statutory sick pay (SSP) went live at the end of May 2020. Who can use it and what’s involved in the reclaim process?
CORONAVIRUS - 10.06.2020
Parents still eligible for furlough
The Chancellor has just announced that parents returning to work in the coming months after family-friendly leave will still be eligible for the furlough scheme.
CORONAVIRUS - 09.06.2020
Beware fake HSE emails
Emails are circulating threatening prosecution for breaching coronavirus rules. Should you be worried?
EXPENSES - HOMEWORKING - 08.06.2020
Making an expenses claim
If you’ve worked at home because of coronavirus you might have incurred extra costs for which you can claim a tax deduction. How do you make the claim and what happens after the tax year ends?
CORONAVIRUS - PAYROLL - 08.06.2020
New guidance on salary deductions
There’s new guidance about deductions from pay for employees furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). What’s the full story?
BENEFITS IN KIND - 08.06.2020
Directors - dodging the benefit in kind tax
Your bookkeeper has given you your P11D for approval. Where the company paid a few of your personal bills they show as benefits. You asked the bookkeeper to debit your loan account to cancel these but she says it’s not allowed. Is she correct?
INHERITANCE TAX - 08.06.2020
Helping with family finances - is there a tax cost?
Your adult child is struggling with money and has come to you to for help. You’ve been paying some of their household bills until they get back on their feet. What tax consequences do you and your child need to consider?
VAT - 08.06.2020
When is postage and packaging VATable?
The current crisis has forced our subscriber to find another way to sell her goods. She now sells her wine and food online, adding the cost of delivery to the price plus a little for her time and materials for packaging. Should she charge VAT on these?
CORPORATION TAX - 08.06.2020
End of a business and termination payments
You’re closing your company as it’s barely covering its costs. You’ve been told that the company can pay you a tax-free termination payment. Is this right and how will it affect the company’s tax position?
EMPLOYEE PAY - 08.06.2020
Writing off an employee’s loan
One of your employees is critically ill and may not survive. You’re continuing to pay their salary in line with their employment contract. However, as a goodwill gesture you also want to write off their season ticket loan. What are the tax consequences?
CORONAVIRUS - HEALTH AND SAFETY - 04.06.2020
How to manage staff who are reluctant to return to work
Assuming you’ve complied with the government’s “COVID-19 Secure” guidelines and are ready to re-open your workplace, what is your legal position if an employee who can’t work from home is reluctant or unwilling to return to their normal workplace?
RELIGION OR BELIEF DISCRIMINATION - 04.06.2020
What is philosophical belief discrimination?
Philosophical beliefs are a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. However, it’s been left to case law to determine what types of philosophical belief are potentially protected. How has case law developed over the last ten years?
CORONAVIRUS - SICK PAY - 04.06.2020
Launch of Coronavirus SSP Rebate Scheme
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme for small and medium-sized employers is now live. Which employers are eligible to claim?
CORONAVIRUS - DATA PROTECTION - 04.06.2020
New data protection and coronavirus information hub
The Information Commissioner’s Office has created an online information hub to help employers navigate data protection during the pandemic. What topics does it cover?
CORONAVIRUS - SICKNESS ABSENCE - 04.06.2020
Can you send employees home from work to self-isolate?
With staff gradually returning to workplaces and enjoying more outside leisure time after lockdown, there’s still a risk they will catch coronavirus. What should you do if an employee at work subsequently starts displaying symptoms of the virus?
CORONAVIRUS - TAX PAYMENTS - 04.06.2020
HMRC makes time to pay easier
Businesses and individuals struggling with tax bills can agree a repayment schedule with HMRC. This is often easier said than done but has recently been made simpler. What’s the full story?
CORONAVIRUS - SSP - 04.06.2020
New rules on reclaiming statutory sick pay
Under new regulations which came into force on 26 May 2020, some businesses may reclaim statutory sick pay costs (SSP) from HMRC in certain coronavirus-related circumstances. Which businesses are eligible and what SSP costs can be reclaimed?
CORONAVIRUS - TAX - 04.06.2020
Protecting your workers - tax relief on costs
Our subscriber is spending money on protective measures in preparation for his employees returning to work. He wants to know if there are any special measures to allow tax relief for these?
STAFF MOTIVATION - 04.06.2020
Promoting from within
Recruiting a junior member of staff can cost £4,000 and there’s always a risk it won’t work out. Internal promotions can be an appealing alternative but what steps do you need to take to increase the chances of it working out?
CORONAVIRUS - RENT - 04.06.2020
Coronavirus-related rent arrears
The temporary moratorium on landlords evicting commercial tenants for non-payment of rent is due to expire on 30 June. If you have been unable to pay your rent due to the coronavirus pandemic, what will be your options then?
HOMEWORKING - 04.06.2020
The right way to equip your workers with IT
You’re equipping more of your staff with laptops so they can work from home without having to rely on their own computers. What should you be telling your employees about protecting the machines and the money you have tied up in them?
PAYMENT TERMS - 04.06.2020
Getting paid on your terms
As the lockdown eases and supply chains start to reopen, you could find yourself renegotiating payment terms with existing customers or striking deals with new clients. How can you ensure the payment terms are in your favour?
CORONAVIRUS - PROPERTY COSTS - 03.06.2020
Extra grants for small businesses
The government has made an extra £617m available to businesses who missed out on the business rates grant schemes. Can your company take advantage?
