2022 -
October
SELF-ASSESSMENT - 31.10.2022
Reduce your self-assessment payments
If you’re in the self-assessment system you might have to make tax payments on account. These can total more than your actual tax bill. When and in what circumstances can you reduce these payments?
PENSIONS - 31.10.2022
Tax-efficient funding for your business premises
Your landlord has given you the option to buy the property your business currently rents. It seems like a good idea but with bank interest rates rising you’re unsure if you should go ahead. Could your pension fund provide a funding solution?
PROPERTY - 31.10.2022
Tax deductions for new property rental business
Your company bought, refurbished and furnished two residential properties which have been let. You’re now preparing the first rental income accounts. Which refurbishment and start-up costs can you claim a tax deduction for?
LOSSES - 31.10.2022
Can you claim tax relief for employment losses?
Our subscriber paid some of the start-up costs for his company. The business wasn’t a success and he wasn’t able take an income from it. Can he claim a tax deduction for the business expenses he personally incurred?
EXPENSES - 31.10.2022
Keep your workers warm with a tax-free benefit
Businesses face soaring energy costs and uncertainty over government help to mitigate them. If you turn down the heating and provide your employees with a company fleece to keep them warm, would the clothing be a taxable benefit?
INTERNET USE - 31.10.2022
Ensure employee productivity on Black Friday
Black Friday falls on 25 November 2022, followed by Cyber Monday on 28 November 2022. How can you ensure your employees remain focused on work these days and not distracted by the special offers?
TAX RETURNS - 28.10.2022
Tax return deadline approaching fast
It’s common knowledge that the tax return filing deadline is 31 January after the end of the tax year. However, you may be subject to an earlier deadline that is fast approaching instead. When does this apply?
PARTIAL EXEMPTION - 27.10.2022
Rounding windfall with the standard method
One of our subscribers uses the partial exemption standard method but did not realise that her percentage claim is rounded up to the nearest whole number. What does this mean and how can she correct the error?
INVOICES - 27.10.2022
Ensure your invoicing systems are compliant
Your business has continued to issue paper sales invoices to your customers, as well as electronic invoices sent by email. With MTD for VAT now compulsory for all VAT- registered businesses, are your procedures acceptable to HMRC?
CASH ACCOUNTING - 27.10.2022
CAS pitfalls: net payments and barter deals
Your business uses the cash accounting scheme (CAS) and accounts for output tax by treating your gross bankings figure as inclusive of VAT. All of your sales are standard-rated but is there a risk that you have underpaid VAT here?
STAFF GIFTS - 27.10.2022
What’s the VAT treatment of gifts to staff?
You want to reward staff for meeting certain targets. Instead of giving them a cash bonus, you will provide them with free goods from your retail stock. What are the VAT issues for your business?
OVERSEAS VAT - 27.10.2022
What’s the procedure to reclaim overseas VAT?
Your business has paid VAT in another country. However, to reclaim the overseas VAT you need a certificate of status from HMRC. What are the procedures for getting this certificate and how long will you need to wait for it to be issued by HMRC?
ERRORS - 27.10.2022
Online form now available for errors
HMRC has launched a new digital form so that a business can easily disclose errors made on previous returns. What does this mean for your business?
RTI - 24.10.2022
Can you be penalised for filing RTI returns early?
In a 2022 case, HMRC issued late filing penalties to an employer who had filed its RTI returns too early. What was the outcome of the employer’s appeal and what can you learn from it?
PROFESSIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS - 24.10.2022
Professional subscriptions List 3 updated
On 28 September 2022 HMRC published an updated list of automatically allowed deductions for fees paid to professional bodies, known as List 3. How should you treat it for payroll purposes if the body isn’t included on the list?
RECRUITMENT - 24.10.2022
New starter checklist issued
On 3 October 2022 HMRC issued an updated version of the new starter checklist. What’s changed?
SSP - 24.10.2022
New SSP1 form issued
The Department for Work and Pensions has updated the SSP1 form. What’s new for those who don’t qualify?
MENTAL HEALTH - 24.10.2022
Should you implement mental health holidays?
As part of an ongoing commitment to employee wellbeing, Thomson Reuters now designates two days per calendar year as mental health holidays, one of which is today (24 October 2022). Should you consider introducing something similar?
WELDING - 20.10.2022
Protect staff from arc-eye
Welding can pose many hazards. If not managed correctly it can lead to accidents and ill health and be particularly damaging to eyes. What do you need to know to keep your staff free from harm?
SAFETY SIGNS - 20.10.2022
Do you know your safety signs?
Employers must provide safety signs if there is a significant risk that can’t be otherwise controlled. What are the different types of sign and what do you need to know about them?
ENVIRONMENT - 20.10.2022
How to perform a waste audit
Waste is an ongoing problem for many businesses, but there are plenty of opportunities to reduce your burden on both disposal and costs. What is a waste audit and why could it benefit your bottom line?
MANUAL HANDLING - 20.10.2022
HSE targeting manual handling risks
HSE inspectors are checking how workers are moving heavy or bulky materials. Why are they doing this and how can you prepare for a visit?
RADIATION - 20.10.2022
Excessive radiation exposure led to court case
A company has been fined following incidents at two sites in which employees were exposed to radiation levels in excess of the legal annual dose limit. What happened and how can you prevent a similar problem?
WORK EQUIPMENT - 20.10.2022
Is small tools training over the top?
If your staff use a variety of hand tools in their daily activities, is it really necessary to provide training or are you able to rely on common sense to ensure accidents don’t happen? What can you do to reduce the likelihood of an accident?
RISK ASSESSMENT - 20.10.2022
Care home charged with health and safety offences
A care home in Bristol faces trial after a resident was killed at their facility. Why is this a health and safety matter, is it relevant to you and what can you do to prevent a similar prosecution?
HOMEWORKING - 20.10.2022
World Cup rules for homeworkers
The World Cup 2022 is on from 20 November to 18 December and many of the matches will take place during working hours. What should you make clear to homeworkers who’ll be able to watch games easily?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 20.10.2022
Employee denied flexible working wins £36,000
An employee who was denied reduced hours and a flexible working arrangement on her return to work from maternity leave has been awarded £36,000 by the tribunal. Why so much?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 20.10.2022
Fairly dismissed for being “persistently late”
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that an employee who was sacked for being persistently late was fairly dismissed. Does this decision mean that you can safely sack any employee who is a poor timekeeper?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 20.10.2022
Sickness absence and home visit records
When an employee is off long-term sick, you can ask to visit them at home. Whilst the employee isn’t obliged to agree to your request, many will give their consent. What should you do following a home visit to a sick employee?
DISCIPLINARY MATTERS - 20.10.2022
A right to see all versions of the investigation report?
When a manager completes a disciplinary or grievance investigation report they might make changes which means that there’s an original and an amended version. Is the employee entitled to see all versions or only the latest one?
PERFORMANCE - 20.10.2022
Is quiet quitting a performance issue?
There have been several media reports about the rise in “quiet quitting” amongst employees. What is quiet quitting and is it a poor performance issue that warrants taking formal disciplinary action?
WORKING TIME - 20.10.2022
Planned power cuts, working hours and pay
The UK is facing the possibility of planned three-hour power cuts over this winter. If they go ahead, are you able to change employees’ working hours and must they be paid if they can’t work due to a power cut?
EMPLOYMENT LAW REFORM - 19.10.2022
Could there be a bonfire of EU-derived employment laws?
A government Bill is currently before Parliament which, if passed, could substantially change employment law by the end of 2023, as it makes provision for significant changes to the status and operation of retained EU law. What’s it all about?
HOLIDAYS - 19.10.2022
Should you consider permitting unlimited annual leave?
A number of high-profile employers are now offering an unlimited annual leave policy for some or all of their employees. Is unlimited annual leave a benefit that’s worth considering for your business?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 19.10.2022
Dealing with overlapping disciplinary and grievance issues
It’s not uncommon for employees to raise a grievance whilst they’re being put through a formal disciplinary or performance management process. What action should you take if you’re faced with overlapping disciplinary and grievance matters?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 19.10.2022
CGT advice for separating couples
Your clients are married, but have informed you that they separated amicably in January 2022. How might forthcoming changes in the capital gains tax rules for separating couples help them here?
COMPANY LOANS - 19.10.2022
Gifts of close company shares: is there a tax trap?
Your client started a company using a bank loan several years ago. Following a successful growth period, they have asked for your advice on gifting shares to other family members. Why might this create an additional income tax bill?
SURRENDER FEES - 19.10.2022
Is VAT due on surrender fees paid to a landlord?
Your client has leased their office for many years but they have now asked the landlord if they can leave before the end of the term. An extra payment will be made to cover the loss of rent plus a separate charge for dilapidations. What is the VAT position here?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 19.10.2022
Navigating the complicated 2022/23 NI landscape
Following the Chancellor’s announcement that the 1.25% increase in National Insurance (NI) rates is due to be reversed, what are the rates now applying for 2022/23 and what do clients need to do to accommodate the changes?
LAND TRANSACTION TAXES - 19.10.2022
Property taxes cut for most
The mini-Budget announced stamp duty land tax cuts for buyers in England and Northern Ireland. What were the main changes?
DISPOSALS OF LAND - 19.10.2022
How to minimise tax on disposal of land to a developer
One of your farming clients has received an offer from a property developer for the purchase of their land. What options does your client have to minimise the capital gains tax, and could a tax-free sale be possible?
INHERITANCE TAX - 19.10.2022
Surviving the IHT charge on gifts
Your parents have received conflicting advice about reducing their potential inheritance tax (IHT) liability by making gifts. One view is that they need to survive at least three years from when a gift is made to save IHT. The other advice says they must survive seven. Which view is correct?
VAT - 19.10.2022
Final call for businesses not using MTD
HMRC’s VAT return portal closes soon. Businesses not using Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV) by then won’t be able to submit their returns and so risk penalties. What’s the full story?
REMUNERATION PLANNING - 19.10.2022
Tax deduction for personally employing your partner
Our subscriber, a junior director, suggested to the board that they put their partners on the company payroll to save tax. They didn’t like the idea, so is there an alternative way to achieve the same goal?
PROPERTY - 19.10.2022
Capital gains calculations - how to avoid costly errors
Identifying the figures to use in your capital gain calculation following the sale of a property is not always as straightforward as it seems. What should you be including or excluding from your calculations to ensure you pay the right amount of tax?
HMRC ENQUIRIES - 17.10.2022
Can HMRC fish for information?
The First-tier Tribunal (FTT) recently ruled on the tricky matter of HMRC’s rights to request personal information from a taxpayer during a tax enquiry. The issue was whether it had overstepped its powers. What did the FTT decide?
RECRUITMENT - 17.10.2022
Faked CV = £100,000
The Supreme Court has ruled that an employee who lied about his academic qualifications must repay his former employer nearly £100,000. How can you avoid hiring an applicant who has faked their qualifications?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 17.10.2022
Unauthorised remuneration plan backfires
Two directors of a community recycling enterprise got carried away with their remuneration plan, after years of being underpaid. This landed them on the receiving end of court proceedings for breach of duty. Where did they go wrong?
PAY & CONDITIONS - 17.10.2022
How to respond to an employee loan request
Many employees are struggling with the cost of living crisis and an unexpected bill may put them at breaking point financially and mentally. If an employee in this situation approaches you for a loan, are you legally obliged to help them?
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - 17.10.2022
Can less ever be more with an HSMS?
There’s so much information on how to run a health and safety management system (HSMS) that it can become confusing. If you implement too many tools are you in danger of overloading and overcomplicating the safety of your organisation?
ASSESSMENTS - 17.10.2022
Warning - HMRC’s tax calculations may contain errors!
It’s the time of year when HMRC sends out its P800 tax calculations for the previous tax year. In what circumstances are you likely to receive one and what steps should you take if you do?
ENERGY CRISIS - 17.10.2022
Preparing for possible power cuts
The National Grid has warned that the UK is facing possible rolling power cuts this winter. What steps can you take to prepare for this?
CORPORATION TAX - 14.10.2022
CT U-turn. As expected.
This afternoon the PM announced another mini-Budget U-turn, this time concerning corporation tax. What’s the full story?
TAX FRAUD - 14.10.2022
HMRC issues new fraud warning
HMRC is warning customers to be especially vigilant to fraudsters at this time of year due to the busy tax return season. What do you need to know?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 13.10.2022
Is poultry dust making staff ill?
Workers in the agricultural sector may be exposed to biological agents that can lead to serious respiratory illnesses. How can working with poultry make them ill and what controls should you put in place to protect your workers?
ENVIRONMENT - 13.10.2022
The solution to plastic waste?
Chemical recycling is growing, along with concerns about its environmental impacts. What is it, will it resolve our plastic waste problem and what can you do to get involved?
SILICOSIS - 13.10.2022
Updated guidance for silicosis
The HSE has updated its guidance to employers regarding silica in certain industries. Why has it done this and how does it affect you?
VIBRATION - 13.10.2022
Failure to control vibration risks
A construction firm has been fined for not controlling exposure to vibration, causing hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Where did it go wrong and what controls should you have in place?
SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS - 13.10.2022
Limit the chances of a fall injury
With the seasons changing and cold and wet weather on the way, is there anything that you can do to reduce the likelihood of your staff or visitors suffering a slip, trip or fall on your premises?
WORKPLACE - 13.10.2022
Worker killed by moving vehicle
A young construction worker was fatally injured after being hit by a moving vehicle. What were the circumstances leading to this tragedy and what controls should have been present?
ILL HEALTH - 13.10.2022
Is a defibrillator worthwhile?
You may have a health and safety plan with hand sanitisers and PPE, etc. but does it include an automated external defibrillator (AED)? Are you prepared to save an employee from sudden cardiac arrest?
ABSENTEEISM - 10.10.2022
Employment and the World Cup
The World Cup kicks off in Qatar on 20 November and runs to 18 December. England and Wales will be taking part and they’re both in Group B. How should you tackle the World Cup from an employment law perspective?
VAT - 07.10.2022
VAT online service to be withdrawn soon
Making Tax Digital for VAT-registered businesses has been mandatory since April 2022. However, up until now you have been able to file returns using the old online VAT account. When is this changing?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 06.10.2022
Two procedural failures created an unfair dismissal
An employee has won her tribunal claim for unfair dismissal simply because her former employer’s disciplinary and dismissal procedure contained two failures. What must every employer always do?
SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT - 06.10.2022
Cost of living crisis: secondary employment considerations
Apparently, 47% of working adults in the UK are considering taking on secondary employment to cope with the cost of living crisis. Why is it worth raising this possibility with your own employees and what else should you do?
SUSPENSION - 06.10.2022
Appropriate alternatives to suspension
Acas recommends that an employee should only be suspended during an investigation when it’s a “reasonable way” of dealing with a situation and there are “no appropriate alternatives”. What options could you consider?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 06.10.2022
Relationship breakdowns and sickness absence
An employee recently called in sick for a couple of days. During their subsequent return to work interview, they explained that they had taken the time off due to a relationship breakup. Is this a genuine reason for sickness absence?
HARASSMENT - 06.10.2022
No facilities to express breast milk was harassment
The tribunal has ruled that an employer’s failure to provide a private room so an employee could express breast milk was harassment on the grounds of sex. Are you legally obliged to provide a private room for this purpose?
EMPLOYMENT LAW - 06.10.2022
All EU-derived employment rights to be scrapped?
In September 2022 the Retained EU Law Bill was introduced. This legislation will allow the government to tear up all EU-derived employment rights. But are we really going to see workers’ rights go up in smoke as some are suggesting?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 06.10.2022
NI overpayments and refunds
On 6 November 2022 the 1.25% NI rate increase will be abolished. However, many employees may end up overpaying NI. Where this occurs, who’s responsible for arranging a refund - you, the employee or HMRC?
LOANS - 06.10.2022
Clearing a debt when there isn’t the cash
From time to time directors borrow funds from the business which are repaid promptly to avoid any tax charges. But one subscriber has asked what his options are if there isn’t the cash to repay the loans?
PROPERTY - 06.10.2022
Beware the tax trap in giving up a lease
Several years ago a lease was signed on a business premises which is now too big for the company’s needs. The landlord has agreed that you can surrender the lease provided a fee is paid. Can a tax deduction be claimed for this?
GIFTS - 06.10.2022
When generosity results in a tax bill
Last year our subscriber’s taxable income fell substantially but he continued to make gift aid donations. However now he’s worried - after reading an article in a newspaper - that his generosity could actually trigger a tax bill. Is he right to be concerned?
VAT - 06.10.2022
What’s the deal with free samples and VAT?
The business is keen to boost sales of goods, so free samples will be distributed to customers with retail shops, and they’ll hold your goods on a sale or return basis. What’s the VAT situation in such cases?
CREDIT CONTROL - 06.10.2022
Tactics for dealing with a very late paying key customer
A key customer has been very late paying a bill. You may be reluctant to follow your usual procedures and place the account on hold as you don’t want to sour the relationship. But what can you do in this situation?
SPREADSHEETS - 06.10.2022
Preparing accounts from an imported trial balance
When preparing your monthly management accounts, you import the trial balance from your accounting software into Excel. How can you ensure this process works as efficiently as possible?
MINI-BUDGET - 06.10.2022
Tax cuts for your company?
On 23 September 2022, the Chancellor announced a raft of measures to boost business growth. What are the key ones that could affect your company?
