2020 -
August
CORONAVIRUS - 27.08.2020
Job Retention Bonus: £1,000 per eligible employee
To encourage the retention of previously furloughed employees, the government has announced a Job Retention Bonus of £1,000 per eligible employee. What conditions must be met to qualify?
CORONAVIRUS - 27.08.2020
Act now to rectify furlough grant errors
HMRC will be seeking to recover all wrongly claimed furlough payment grants. However, employers who have made innocent mistakes in their claims have been given time to rectify their errors. When must you act by?
HOLIDAYS - 27.08.2020
We can’t accommodate the 14-day quarantine period
An employee wants to travel to a country that isn’t on the government’s travel corridor list. If they go, they’ll need to self-isolate for 14 days on their return. As they can’t work from home, can you refuse their annual leave request?
REDUNDANCY - 27.08.2020
Redundancy: must you offer a right of appeal?
Having exhausted all other options, you need to make some redundancies. Where an employee is selected for redundancy, must you offer them a right of appeal against your decision?
DISMISSAL - 27.08.2020
Can you rely on anonymous witness evidence?
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has said that it “was not unreasonable” for an employer to rely on the evidence of a witness who wished to remain anonymous when dismissing an employee. Is anonymous witness evidence now OK?
RIGHT TO WORK - 27.08.2020
“You must be here illegally” comment costs £20,800
An employee who was accused of being in the UK illegally when her employer couldn’t verify her documents has been awarded £20,800 by the tribunal. What’s the correct procedure if you can’t verify right to work documents?
FLAT RATE SCHEME - 27.08.2020
Reclaiming input tax paid on capital expenditure?
The legislation allows flat rate scheme users to claim input tax on capital expenditure in some cases. But how and when do you make a claim and what traps must you look out for?
HMRC - 27.08.2020
When will HMRC run out of time to raise an assessment?
Your business has been subject to an enquiry about its returns. It has dragged on, with the officer requesting extra information. The officer must raise an assessment within certain dates, but how do these time limits work in practice?
EXPORTS - 27.08.2020
What export evidence do you need to retain?
An overseas customer collected goods from your premises four months ago, which they exported outside the EU. The customer promised to forward proof of shipment but this never arrived. Does this create a VAT problem?
PROPERTY - 27.08.2020
Mixed use of a building: how to deal with the VAT
You own a building that has a ground floor shop and a first floor flat, which you rent out. You opted to tax the property many years ago. But have you been dealing with the VAT correctly and can you save some tax in the future?
IN THIS ISSUE AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY RELIEF - 27.08.2020
Farming clients: inheritance tax relief
One of your clients owns and operates a local farm. They are many years from retirement but have asked for a meeting to discuss relief from inheritance tax, particularly in relation to the large farmhouse. What are the key issues they need to look out for as they draw closer to retirement age?
VAT - 27.08.2020
When can your client revoke their option to tax?
Your client owns a commercial building with an option to tax election in place. They are looking to sell, but the only buyers that have shown an interest make exempt supplies, so wouldn’t be able to reclaim the VAT on the purchase price. Is there a solution?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 27.08.2020
Landlord clients and capital allowances
Capital allowances (CAs) are a complicated area, especially when it comes to property rental businesses. Contrary to a popular misconception, landlords can claim some CAs. What can you advise to ensure your clients don’t miss out?
INHERITANCE TAX - 27.08.2020
Don’t overlook fall in value relief for shares
One of your longstanding clients died in late 2019. In order to pay some of his debts, the executors are selling some shares. However, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a drop in the value of the portfolio. Why might this mean an inheritance tax (IHT) refund is due?
CORONAVIRUS - SHARE INCENTIVES - 27.08.2020
Coronavirus: could share plans be the answer to cash flow?
One of your clients has just about kept their business afloat with a skeleton staff during the coronavirus crisis. However, they now have a serious cash-flow issue. How might using share incentives help?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 27.08.2020
Residential property: is it better to sell when non-resident?
A client has been working abroad for ten years. He will shortly be returning to the UK and has decided to sell his property in order to buy a bigger one for his young family, but should you advise him to sell before or after he gets home?
PENSIONS - 27.08.2020
Welcome change to pension charges for 2020/21
The way that the annual allowance tapering provisions worked was criticised in late 2019. In response, the government has changed the rules. What are the key changes and how will these affect your client’s savings plans?
POLLUTION - 24.08.2020
£800,000 fine for water pollution
Severn Trent Water has been fined £800,000 after millions of litres of raw sewage polluted a stream in Shropshire for over a year. How did this happen and what could have prevented it?
PLASTIC - 24.08.2020
Are we winning the war on plastic?
Some aspects of the coronavirus pandemic have been good for the environment. But lockdown has produced challenges for those looking to reduce their consumption of single-use plastic. What’s happening in the fight against plastic pollution?
PLANNING - 24.08.2020
Changes to environmental impact assessments
The government’s green recovery plan promises new investment in environmental protection and a shake up of regulation, including environmental impact assessments (EIAs). What is likely to change in the coming months?
CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN - 24.08.2020
Carbon emissions plans
It’s increasingly likely that prospective clients or accreditation schemes will ask you to supply a carbon emissions reduction plan. If you find yourself in this position, use our document to showcase your green credentials.
MICRO-GENERATION - 24.08.2020
The future of low-carbon commercial heating support
The government is considering changes to the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. What’s being planned, when might it happen and what do you need to be aware of?
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVICE - 24.08.2020
How to find a competent advisor
A recent case saw a consultant being fined for providing a client with poor advice. If you’re looking to employ someone who is supposedly an expert in their field, how can you ensure they are competent?
