2021 -
July
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 27.07.2021
Majority of working mums lack holiday cover
According to a poll of 36,000 working mums with primary school-aged children, nearly two-thirds don’t have enough childcare to cover the six-week school summer holiday period this year, increasing to three-quarters among single mothers. What are your options in being flexible towards them?
WHISTLEBLOWING - 20.07.2021
Grievances and protected whistleblowing disclosures
When an employee raises a grievance or other complaint, you should also consider whether they could be protected under the statutory whistleblowing provisions in relation to the matter raised. Why might this be important?
RESIGNATIONS - 20.07.2021
Persuading an employee to withdraw their resignation
If a key employee unexpectedly submits their resignation, it can be a severe loss to the business so you might want to persuade them to re-think their decision. What steps should you take here and what do you need to be aware of?
EQUAL PAY - 20.07.2021
Equal pay and deputising arrangements
If a female employee is to provide temporary cover for a more senior male employee during their prolonged absence from work, you first need to consider the potential equal pay implications. What is the legal position here?
CORONAVIRUS - 19.07.2021
Use the CJRS for isolating staff?
With news of increasing numbers of staff being contacted by NHS Test and Trace or being “pinged” by the NHS COVID-19 app, can you use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for staff who have to self-isolate?
ANNUAL LEAVE - 12.07.2021
Managing competing holiday requests
As quarantine will no longer be required for fully vaccinated travellers returning from “amber list” countries to England from July 19, there may be a spike in employee requests for annual leave over the school summer holiday period. How should you manage these requests?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 08.07.2021
Tax on shareholder benefits
A subscriber is the main shareholder of a company and his spouse owns the remaining shares. They each receive dividends but our subscriber wants to know if it will be tax efficient for the company to also provide shareholder benefits?
INVESTMENTS - TAX BASICS - 08.07.2021
EIS or VCT - which is right for you?
You’ve come into some money and want to invest in a tax-advantaged scheme, either an enterprise investment scheme (EIS) or a venture capital trust (VCT). The tax breaks for these are similar but with important differences. What are they?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 08.07.2021
A tax-saving tip for incorporating your business
Your accountant has suggested transferring your business to a limited company to save tax and NI. While you’re leaving the red tape up to her are there any steps you can take to make the transfer even more tax efficient?
VAT - FLAT RATE SCHEME - 08.07.2021
Limited cost trader - managing purchases tax efficiently
You’re considering whether to join the VAT flat rate scheme (FRS). Your bookkeeper has warned that you might be classed as a “limited cost trader” which will nullify the VAT savings that the scheme offers. Is there a way around this?
CORONAVIRUS - SELF-ASSESSMENT - 08.07.2021
Taxing the SEISS - what’s the latest?
HMRC has published new guidance which explains when you might need to amend your self-assessment tax return if you claimed Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payments. What’s the full story?
PENALTIES - 08.07.2021
Special reductions and late filing penalties
The First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has considered whether a taxpayer had a reasonable excuse for filing his tax returns late. While the issue was not unusual, the FTT’s ruling was. How might its decision help you reduce a late filing penalty?
LOSSES - 08.07.2021
Hidden benefit of the new extended loss relief
The new extended tax loss relief seems straightforward but a closer look reveals an opportunity for sole traders and business partners to save more tax than first appeared. Is this something you can take advantage of?
SELF-ASSESSMENT - 07.07.2021
HMRC doubles up on SEISS tax
HMRC’s latest guidance on Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payments warns that some taxpayers may be taxed on them twice. What steps are required to prevent this?
CORONAVIRUS - BAD DEBTS - 06.07.2021
Dealing with part payments: credit note or bad debt?
A regular customer is struggling due to the pandemic. They owe you a lot of money and have offered to pay half now if you agree to accept it as full payment for all outstanding invoices. How do you deal with the bad debt?
INTERNATIONAL SERVICES - 06.07.2021
Contracts with multiple parties: the VAT issues
You are to supply consultancy services to a German business. You will be using two subcontractors from Norway and Sweden who will invoice you directly. What is the place of supply and what other VAT issues arise here?
PROPERTY - 06.07.2021
Reduced rate of VAT: pitfalls with empty properties
You are buying a house that needs extensive work before you can sell or rent it. The seller says the renovation work will benefit from the 5% VAT rate as it has been empty for more than two years. Is that correct and are there any traps to watch for?
COMPLIANCE - 06.07.2021
HMRC to launch new IT system
HMRC’s existing VAT mainframe computer is to be decommissioned in 2022. What will this mean for your business and the way you pay your VAT bills?
UNREGISTERED SUPPLIERS - 06.07.2021
Save VAT when using an unregistered supplier
You need some building work done at your head office, but your preferred supplier is not registered for VAT. This means that it will not be able to reclaim input tax on materials, increasing the final bill to your business. Is there a solution?
REGISTRATION - 06.07.2021
Splitting a family business: is there a VAT problem?
A subscriber trades as a car dealer and vehicle repairer and is keen to help his son start a new valeting business, which will trade on the same premises. Will HMRC treat this as part of the VAT-registered main business, and if so how can this be avoided?
CORPORATION TAX - 06.07.2021
Cut your corporation tax, legitimately
It hasn’t been the easiest of years, but it looks like the accounts will show a profit after all. What should you look at in order to legitimately reduce the corporation tax bill the company has to pay?
JOINT VENTURES - 06.07.2021
Profit sharing agreements
The board has decided to collaborate with another business for a particular project with the profits being shared between the two businesses. You’ve been asked to draw up a profit-sharing agreement to avoid disputes. What should you include?
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - 06.07.2021
The pitfalls of comparing ratios with historical data
Financial ratios provide useful analysis that can help drive management towards making better decisions. However, you need to understand the limitations when comparing ratios over time. What potential traps should you be looking out for?
SPREADSHEETS - 06.07.2021
Calculations on visible rows only
You want to count the number of unique customers in a set of data that has a filter applied so there are several hidden rows. The problem is that the formula you are using also includes the hidden rows. How can you calculate just the number of unique customers from the visible rows?
FORECASTING - 06.07.2021
Managing inflationary cost hikes
The inflation rate jumped again in May 2021 with many sectors noticing a significant increase in costs. What can your company do about it?
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE - 06.07.2021
How to calculate the cost of a purchase invoice
Every functioning part of a business incurs a cost including accounts payable and the process of paying invoices. So how can you get a grip on this critical type of spending?
COMPANY CARS - 06.07.2021
Are you correctly treating company cars as pool cars?
A company car is often seen as an expensive perk of employment in tax terms, so it is often more attractive to argue that a car is provided as a pool car. How can you ensure that your company cars meet the conditions for pool cars?
EXPENSES - 06.07.2021
Commuting during lockdowns - tax due?
Staff have been working from home and continue to do so. However, a couple have had to come in regularly during the lockdowns to check the office is OK, pick up post, etc. How should their expenses be dealt with?
DIVIDENDS - 06.07.2021
Taking dividends in a loss year
The accounts for the latest year are being finalised and it looks like there is going to be a loss. What does this mean for those directors taking dividends, or dividends that have already been taken?
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE - 06.07.2021
LPC publishes report on NMW compliance
The Low Pay Commission has published its fourth report looking at enforcement and compliance of the national minimum wage (NMW) legislation. What key things can be learned from it?
GENDER PAY GAP REPORTING - 06.07.2021
Gender pay gap: countdown to 2021 reporting
Whilst the reporting of gender pay gap statistics was suspended last year, that data still had to be captured and must be reported by 5 October 2021. If you’ve not been involved before what are the key things to get right?
CORONAVIRUS - 06.07.2021
Grant 5 details under the SEISS announced
Details of the much anticipated fifth grant under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme were announced by HMRC today, 6 July. If you intend to claim what do you need to know?
WORKPLACE - 05.07.2021
Sun protection for outdoor workers
It’s been suggested that employers should be providing outdoor workers with sun protection cream. Is this a legal requirement?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - 05.07.2021
Grenfell fire risk assessor criticised
A specialist who was appointed to undertake fire risk assessments at Grenfell Tower from 2010 to 2017 has been cross-examined at the public inquiry. What might you take away from the findings so far?
LADDERS - 05.07.2021
Fall from ladder lands school in court
A school Academy Trust has been prosecuted after an employee fell from a ladder whilst carrying out work which ought to have been done from a work platform. What happened and why was the ladder unsuitable?
CORONAVIRUS - 05.07.2021
Dismissed worker loses coronavirus case
An employee who skipped work due to coronavirus fears has lost his claim for unfair dismissal. What led to the tribunal case and would it be possible for a similar claim to be upheld?
HOMEWORKING - 05.07.2021
Time to put a homeworking agreement in place
Many businesses look set to continue with homeworking for some of their staff even once the pandemic is behind us. If you’re thinking of doing this and have not yet put in place formal arrangements, now is the time to get it sorted.
FORK LIFT TRUCKS - 05.07.2021
Lies about fork lift accident led to increased penalty
A court has heard how a director dropped a load from a fork lift truck (FLT) leaving a delivery driver paralysed from the neck down. He then made the situation worse by lying. What’s the story?
CLEANING - 05.07.2021
HSE’s coronavirus cleaning guidelines
The HSE has expanded its coronavirus guidance on cleaning to incorporate advice on the hygiene of vehicles and buildings, along with some basic information on the safety of cleaning staff. What’s covered?
CORONAVIRUS - 05.07.2021
Furlough scheme winding down
From 1 July 2021, employers must now pay part of employees’ furlough wages as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) starts to wind down. What do you need to know?
RECRUITMENT - 01.07.2021
Right to work checks change again
Physical right to work checks had previously been due to resume on 21 June 2021. However, the Home Office has delayed them again. What are the new compliance dates?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 01.07.2021
How flexible is the new flexi season ticket?
Since 28 June 2021 train commuters have been able to use the new “flexi season ticket” which is aimed at those employees who work part of the week from home. How flexible is it and what’s the catch for employers?
CORONAVIRUS - 01.07.2021
Face masks and unvaccinated staff
You may have employees who haven’t yet had (or don’t want) the jab. When the rules on face masks are relaxed, could you insist that unvaccinated staff continue to wear them in your workplace?
DISCIPLINARY MATTERS - 01.07.2021
Their chosen companion is a trade union rep!
An employee has informed you that they’ve asked a friend who is a trade union rep to accompany them to a disciplinary hearing. However, you don’t recognise trade unions in your workplace. Must you accept their choice of companion?
HOMEWORKING - 01.07.2021
Request to work from home in other countries
Apparently, more employees are now asking their employers if they can work from “home” in a country other than the UK. If you receive such a request, can it automatically be refused?
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES - 01.07.2021
Must you collect diversity data?
According to a new poll, at least “two in five firms are not collecting any diversity data on their workforces”. Are you legally required to collect such data for existing employees and what about during your recruitment process?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 01.07.2021
Discipline and grievances after employment has ended
If an employee resigns during disciplinary proceedings, or submits a grievance after their employment has ended, should you continue with the proceedings or deal with the grievance?
CONTRACTS - 01.07.2021
Dealing with an employer or employee name change
During the employment relationship, an employee might change their name, such as due to marriage or divorce. You might also decide to amend the name of your business. What’s the impact of a change of name on employment contracts?
WORKING TIME - 01.07.2021
Health assessments for night workers
If you employ night workers, as well as knowing the limits that apply to their average hours of work, you need to be aware of the other additional obligations that you owe them. What are they?
