2023 -
April
ACCIDENTS - 27.04.2023
Scrutinise incidents to acceptable level
If an accident occurs in your workplace, you may be uncertain as to the level of detail required to fully investigate it. What are the HSE recommendations and how can a “why-why” analysis help identify causes so you can prove that you investigated to an appropriate level?
ENVIRONMENT - 27.04.2023
Less cash means less carbon, doesn’t it?
The pandemic has seen more and more businesses phase out cash in favour of card and contactless payment systems. Are there environmental as well as health benefits from your business going cashless?
WORKPLACE - 27.04.2023
Does the Budget create workplace risks?
In March the Chancellor’s Spring Budget announced a series of back to work measures aimed at older workers and long-term absentees. What are they and could they introduce new challenges for businesses?
FIRE SAFETY - 27.04.2023
Fine for firework factory blast
A fireworks firm has been fined £500,000 after a 24-year-old worker was killed in an explosion at its factory in Peterborough. Why did this happen and what should be in place to prevent future occurrences?
SECURITY - 27.04.2023
Proper site security can prevent tragedies
Inadequate security can increase the risk of incidents on construction sites. Why is this, what are the legal requirements regarding security and what can be put in place to protect the public?
WORKPLACE - 27.04.2023
Why did employee die while loading lorry?
An East Yorkshire garden landscaping supply company has been fined after an employee died while loading a lorry. What were the circumstances of the accident and what safe working practices should you use to prevent a similar incident?
TRAINING - 27.04.2023
Are your staff well trained, or just trained?
With the HSE’s current focus on workplace safety culture, effective training is becoming more important. It protects your workers and demonstrates your duty of care. But do you know how effective your safety training really is?
REDUNDANCY - 25.04.2023
Redundancy: no new hires for six months?
Having made some redundancies a few months ago, things have picked up rapidly and you now need more staff. However, a colleague insists that nobody can be recruited for six months following a redundancy exercise. Is this correct?
MOTIVATION - 25.04.2023
Here, have a day’s paid birthday leave!
More employers are offering birthday leave as a staff perk which can be a cost-effective way to improve motivation. If you’re thinking of offering birthday leave, what should be included in your policy?
MINIMUM WAGE - 25.04.2023
NLW/NMW - what’s in store for 2024?
The government usually makes changes to the national living wage/national minimum wage based on the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). What’s the LPC recommending for 2024?
BANK HOLIDAYS - 25.04.2023
Extra pay for working on bank holidays?
In May 2023 there are three bank holidays which all fall on Mondays. If one of your employees who isn’t usually required to work a bank holiday does so, are they automatically entitled to receive extra pay?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 25.04.2023
Farting employee awarded over £135,000
A disabled employee who was asked to stop breaking wind has been awarded over £135,000 for disability discrimination despite the tribunal finding that the question wasn’t offensive. Why was the employee entitled to such a large award?
RECRUITMENT - 25.04.2023
Covering CV gaps with fake self-employment
A job applicant has revealed that they secured work after covering an 18-month gap in their CV by creating a fictional self-employment. As this is becoming a common practice, what can you do to protect yourself?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 25.04.2023
Unfairly dismissed for using the works van
An employee who was dismissed for using a works van when he wasn’t working has won his claim for unfair dismissal. This was because the employer made a fatal error with regards to its disciplinary investigation. What do you need to know?
TAX CODES - 24.04.2023
Interpreting a tax code with a prefix letter
You’ve received a tax code notification from HMRC for an employee which has a K prefix letter. You’ve entered the code into your software in place of the standard 1257L code and the employee’s tax has gone up - is this correct?
END OF YEAR - 24.04.2023
Don’t forget to issue P60s!
P60s are important documents used to summarise an employee’s tax information at the end of the tax year. What’s the deadline for issuing P60s and who needs to receive one?
PAYE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS - 24.04.2023
New online service for PAYE settlement agreement
A new online service has been available for employers to apply for a PAYE settlement agreement (PSA) since 6 April 2023. Does your organisation need to apply for a PSA and, if so, how do you use the online service?
HARASSMENT - 24.04.2023
Who’s liable for sexual misconduct at work-related events?
The CBI has made the headlines after being hit with various allegations of sexual misconduct, including an alleged rape at one of its summer parties. Where incidents occur at work-related events, what’s your potential liability?
FAMILY COMPANIES - 23.04.2023
Are family investment companies still efficient?
With the hike in the corporation tax rate to 25% from 1 April 2023, as well as personal tax changes, is the strategy of holding investments through a family investment company still a tax-efficient solution for wealth accumulation and distribution?
MILEAGE ALLOWANCES - 23.04.2023
Business mileage payments for bikes
A client will have employees make local deliveries using bikes rather than cars where feasible. Can they still make payments for the business mileage tax free?
FARMING - 23.04.2023
Production animals and the herd basis
Your client keeps various animals for a fledgling fresh produce business. They are unaware that there are options as to how the animals are treated for tax purposes. What might you suggest?
TERMINATION PAYMENTS - 23.04.2023
When the £30,000 exemption doesn’t apply
Your client has an employee who is contemplating retirement. They have been a valued team member, and the directors want to make a termination payment. What are the tax implications?
PERSONAL TAX - 23.04.2023
Key changes for new tax year
The 2023/24 tax year is now underway and there have been several changes which may affect your clients. What are the key points and what can you recommend?
PARTNERSHIPS - 23.04.2023
CGT on dissolving partnership
One of your clients (a partnership) has decided to demerge with each partner taking half the business. What’s the capital gains tax (CGT) treatment on the dissolution and is there a better alternative you could suggest?
WHISTLEBLOWING - 20.04.2023
Review of whistleblowing framework launched
The government has launched a review of the whistleblowing framework, with the aim of examining its effectiveness in meeting its objectives. What might the outcome be?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 20.04.2023
How to conduct an appeal hearing
If an employee appeals against a disciplinary sanction or dismissal decision, to comply with the principles of natural justice you’ll need to hold an appeal hearing. How should you conduct that hearing?
PAY - 20.04.2023
Making lawful deductions from a retail worker’s wages
Special statutory provisions apply to deductions from the wages of workers in retail employment, and to payments made to you by such workers, because of cash shortages or stock deficiencies. What do these provisions say?
RECRUITMENT - 20.04.2023
Getting your recruitment checklist right
When it comes to recruitment, it’s important not to overlook any key steps, such as preparing a job description and person specification, advertising the vacancy, shortlisting, interviewing or making a job offer. What do you need to know?
INHERITANCE TAX - 19.04.2023
The hidden inheritance tax on gifts
The usual advice is that potential inheritance tax (IHT) payable on gifts starts reducing (tapering) once three years have elapsed, and after seven the gift is IHT free. However, the three-year deadline is often an illusion. Why?
VAT - 19.04.2023
Moving from a leased premises - VAT implications
You moved your business to new premises. Under the terms of the lease work was done on the old premises to restore it and your former landlord billed you for it, including VAT. Your accountant says VAT wasn’t payable and you should demand it back. Why?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 19.04.2023
The dos and don’ts of capital allowances for employees
As a director or employee you’re entitled to a tax deduction for the cost of equipment you purchase and use in your work. What do you need to know to ensure your claim is complete and correct?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 19.04.2023
Selling a former home: changes for 2023/24
When it comes to tax relief on the family home, there are complications for married couples and civil partners following separation. How can the new rules, which apply from April 2023, help?
IR35 - 19.04.2023
Will the Lineker case go to extra time?
You can’t keep Gary Lineker out of the news. Days after his clash with the BBC, the First-tier Tribunal handed down its decision on his long-running battle with HMRC and the IR35 rules. What’s the full story?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 19.04.2023
Tax-efficient way to make good use of dividends
Usually, the most tax-efficient method of extracting profit from your company is dividends. If you don’t have an immediate need for the income you could, in the right circumstances, use the dividend to increase its tax efficiency. What’s involved?
PAYROLL - 18.04.2023
Online PSA service now available
A PAYE settlement agreement (PSA) is a handy way to settle tax on minor or infrequent benefits provided to employees. A PSA needs to be agreed with HMRC and this can now be done online. What do you need to know?
RECRUITMENT - 17.04.2023
Why hire boomerang employees?
According to a survey conducted by recruitment agency Robert Walters, more than two-fifths of managers are reluctant to hire “boomerang” employees. What are they and what might be the benefits of incorporating a boomerang strategy into your overall recruitment strategy?
WASTE - 13.04.2023
How to best promote your packaging policies
It’s a few years since that David Attenborough programme on plastic but the issue remains in the headlines and is a key issue for customers. So should you be putting more emphasis on this topic on your website?
VIBRATION - 13.04.2023
What’s an inspector looking for?
If an HSE inspector visits and asks to look at how you manage hand-arm vibration, are you prepared? What will they be looking for and what should you have in place to stay on the right side of the law?
WORKPLACE - 13.04.2023
Pipeline workers exposed to unnecessary risk
A major pipeline transportation company has been fined £2.3 million for safety breaches. What were the issues and how can you control the risk of working with pressurised systems?
FIRE SAFETY - 13.04.2023
The new duty to inspect flat doors
In January 2023 legislation was brought in requiring regular checks of fire doors within taller multi-occupancy residential buildings. Who is responsible for this and what does it entail?
SAFETY CULTURE - 13.04.2023
Are you guilty of OSH-washing?
You’re probably familiar with the term “greenwashing” used as a way to describe over-inflating environmental credentials, but there is a new threat to your safety culture - OSH-washing. What is it and how can you avoid falling into its trap?
RISK ASSESSMENT - 13.04.2023
Morrisons fined £3.5m after death of employee
Supermarket chain, Morrisons, has been found guilty of four health and safety failings following the death of one of its workers in 2014. What did it fail to do and what should be put in place to avoid a similar prosecution?
FIRE SAFETY - 13.04.2023
Farm fires on the rise
NFU Mutual reports that the cost of fires on farms exceeded £95 million in 2021. Why is this and what can be done to reduce the likelihood of being affected by a farm fire?
REMOTE WORKING - 11.04.2023
Overseas remote working risks
With the summer holiday season approaching, you may receive requests from home or hybrid workers to temporarily work remotely from overseas locations. What are the potential pitfalls?
PAYROLL - 06.04.2023
2023/24 payroll considerations
The new tax year started on 6 April 2023. What are the key payroll changes to be aware of for the 2023/24 tax year?
BANKING - 06.04.2023
Mitigating the risk of bank failures
With several banks collapsing in March 2023, what are the implications for SMEs and what steps should finance teams be taking to mitigate the risks for both savings and loan finance?
EXIT PLANNING - 06.04.2023
Accounting for share buybacks
One of the director shareholders has died and the executors of the estate are keen to sell her shares. None of the other shareholders has sufficient funds to purchase them but the company does. How should you account for the share buyback?
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION - 06.04.2023
Moving to a balanced scorecard
The monthly management accounts pack provides a useful summary of what has happened in the past but does not give an insight into whether the business is meeting its strategic goals. How could using a balanced scorecard help?
BENEFITS - 06.04.2023
Question mark over trivial benefits for directors
Low value benefits given to directors every year are covered by the “trivial benefits” tax exemption but the rules are confusing if such benefits are given regularly. What’s the story?
VAT - 06.04.2023
Quick VAT claims on expensive purchases
In the course of preparing the latest VAT return you’ve come across an expensive purchase for which there isn’t yet an invoice. Can the VAT, which is significant, still be reclaimed and, if so, how?
DEBTS - 06.04.2023
Treatment of bad debts for tax purposes
With the company’s financial year ending soon you are concerned by an usually high number of bad debts. HMRC’s rules won’t allow for tax relief on all of them so what steps can you take?
EMPLOYEES - 06.04.2023
What to do about cash payments to staff?
Businesses regularly need someone to come in and complete work, for example a tidy and clean or some maintenance work etc. But what if they request payment in cash and the receipt doesn’t look very official?
SPREADSHEETS - 06.04.2023
Power BI versus Excel
You’ve heard that many finance departments are using Power BI for data analysis. What is Power BI and what are the advantages over Excel for data analysis?
EMPLOYEE LOANS - 06.04.2023
New interest rate for beneficial loans
HMRC has recently announced an increase in its official rate of interest with effect from 6 April 2023. How does this affect any directors or employees with interest-free loans from the company?
PAYROLL SOFTWARE - 06.04.2023
Updating HMRC’s Basic PAYE Tools
Making sure your payroll software is updated before the first pay-run of the new tax year is important. If you also use HMRC’s Basic PAYE Tools, it’s important to make sure this is updated too. How do you do this?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 06.04.2023
Can an employee receive holiday pay while sick?
An employee is on long-term sick and no longer eligible for statutory sick pay. They’ve asked if they can take some of their rolled over holiday during their sick leave and receive holiday pay - do you have to allow this?
TRAINING COSTS - 06.04.2023
Recovering training costs from an employee
You funded the cost of training for an employee on condition that they stayed in their role for at least two years. They left after nine months, so can you deduct the training costs from their final pay?
TIME OFF - 05.04.2023
Paid time off for fertility treatment?
Apparently, over 50% of employees who are undergoing fertility treatment feel unsupported by their employer, particularly in relation to paid time off. Do those who are undergoing fertility treatment have a right to any paid time off?
SICK PAY - 05.04.2023
Can you withhold SSP if they’ve not provided a fit note?
One of your employees telephoned in sick a week ago and remains unwell. However, they’ve not yet provided you with a fit note from their GP which states that they are “not fit for work”. Can you withhold payment of statutory sick pay (SSP) in this situation?
SEXUAL HARASSMENT - 05.04.2023
Hug from colleague costs employer £19,000
An employer has been ordered to pay an employee £19,000 for sexual harassment after she was hugged from behind by a colleague at a works party. How can you protect yourself from a similar type of claim?
RACE DISCRIMINATION - 05.04.2023
“Dark horse” reference wasn’t race discrimination
A black employee who heard a colleague use the term “dark horse” has lost her claim for race discrimination at the tribunal. Why was there no finding of race discrimination and is it generally acceptable to use terms like this?
SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT - 05.04.2023
Two full-time jobs led to dismissal
In March 2023 it was reported that a full-time homeworker had been sacked after bosses discovered that they had been working another full-time job simultaneously. Will an employee having two jobs always give you grounds for dismissal?
VAT NUMBERS - 04.04.2023
Issues with online number checker
There are many reasons why you might want to check with HMRC that a VAT number for one of your suppliers or customers is genuine. What does the potential restriction on new registrations mean for your business?
CHARITIES - 04.04.2023
5% concession for non-charitable use
Your charity intends to construct a new building which will be used for its charitable activities. However, the trustees want to use part of the building to generate income to pay some of the building overheads. Does this create any VAT problems?
RETURNS - 04.04.2023
Are your post-Brexit VAT returns correct?
It’s now more than two years since the UK left the EU, which changed the way that you account for VAT on your international trading in goods, including using postponed VAT accounting. Now is a good time to review your procedures. What should you check?
CASH ACCOUNTING - 04.04.2023
Join cash accounting despite high sales?
Your business would like to join the cash accounting scheme (CAS) to help VAT cash flow but you think that you are ineligible because your annual sales exceed the joining threshold. But are you missing some tricks with the joining rules?
CLOTHING - 04.04.2023
Can you claim input tax on staff clothing?
Your business is expanding and you’ve decided to buy new clothing for your employees to present a smart image. Can you claim the input tax on the associated costs?
REPAYMENTS - 04.04.2023
Interest if HMRC delays repayment?
Your business has submitted a repayment return to HMRC but it’s delayed your refund by three weeks. You understand that you might get a 5% windfall because of the delay, but is this correct?
PENSIONS - 04.04.2023
New Living Pension employer standard
The Living Wage Foundation has now launched the Living Pension employer standard. What’s this all about and are you obliged to implement it?
RECRUITMENT - 04.04.2023
Recruiting and retaining older workers
With many employers experiencing skills and labour shortages, the government is encouraging “economically inactive” workers aged 50 and over to re-join the jobs market. How can you make your workplace more attractive to older workers?
TRIBUNALS - 04.04.2023
Injury to feelings awards rise
The updated bands for awarding injury to feelings compensation in discrimination claims have now been published. What are the uprated bands?
AI TECHNOLOGY - 04.04.2023
Could ChatGPT revolutionise your workplace?
ChatGPT, a chatbot produced by OpenAI, was launched in late 2022 and its aim is to generate detailed, human-like responses to questions at the click of a button. Although it has enormous potential, it’s not without its risks in the workplace What are they?
MATERNITY - 04.04.2023
When does maternity leave automatically commence?
A pregnant employee’s maternity leave will start automatically, regardless of their intended and notified maternity leave start date, in two different scenarios. What are those two scenarios?
BENEFITS - 04.04.2023
Tax-free pensions advice?
Some of your company’s directors are considering retiring in the next few years and each wants advice about funding their pensions. Can the company pay for the advice and treat it as a tax-free benefit in kind?
BUDGET - 04.04.2023
Budget 2023 - are you affected?
The general view was that the Budget was a quiet one. However, there were several important changes. What were they and how might they affect you?
VAT - 04.04.2023
Change of business activity - VAT trap
Your business recently stopped trading, but you’ve found a tenant who’s now paying you rent for the premises and the equipment in it. Did your VAT registration lapse when your business ended or must you keep submitting returns to HMRC?
ENQUIRIES - 04.04.2023
For how long can HMRC pursue a tax investigation?
The First-tier Tribunal (FTT) recently ruled on a case brought by taxpayers attempting to put an end to an HMRC enquiry into their tax returns. Complex tax issues were involved but did this allow HMRC carte blanche to drag out the investigation?
CORPORATION TAX - 04.04.2023
Mitigating the CT rate hike on company gains
Your company made a capital gain in November 2022 when the corporation tax (CT) rate was 19%. But, as the gain falls in its financial year to 30 September 2023 will part of it be taxable at the 25% rate which applies to profits from 1 April 2023?
