2023 -
August
FUNDRAISING - 31.08.2023
Is fundraising income exempt from VAT?
You’re the treasurer of a not-for-profit organisation which is registered for VAT and it needs to raise funds to buy some new equipment. You’ve decided to organise a fundraising event. What should you do about VAT to maximise your surplus?
PLACE OF SUPPLY - 31.08.2023
Design services for overseas customer?
One of our subscribers trades as an interior designer and their business has been invited to quote for two jobs in France, one for a business and the other for a private individual. How do the place of supply rules apply to these?
HMRC POWERS - 31.08.2023
What can you do about incorrect HMRC advice?
Your business received a written ruling from HMRC five years ago about some of your sales being zero-rated. Another officer now claims that this advice was wrong and wants to raise an assessment to treat them as standard-rated. What can you do about this unexpected VAT bill?
ACQUISITIONS - 31.08.2023
Avoid a VAT trap when buying shares in a company
You are expanding your business by purchasing the shares in a company which has been VAT registered for many years. Is there a risk that you could be faced with an unexpected bill for past errors made by the seller?
PAYMENTS - 31.08.2023
HMRC announces new payment option
If your business can’t pay the VAT it owes on time, a new time-to-pay opportunity could help give you some breathing space. Who can take advantage, and how can you apply for it?
CAPITAL GOODS - 31.08.2023
Change of building use: will you need to repay VAT?
You purchased your office premises six years ago but have decided to move to a different location and rent it out to a tenant. What potential pitfalls must you consider with the capital goods scheme?
CORPORATION TAX - 30.08.2023
Plan ahead to delay payment by instalments
One of your clients has experienced an extended growth period, and is on the verge of becoming classed as a “large” company for corporation tax purposes. Why can this lead to a cash-flow problem, and is there a solution?
VENTURE CAPITAL RELIEFS - 30.08.2023
Using venture capital schemes to reduce one-off tax bills
Your client has triggered some one-off tax liabilities and come to you for advice on mitigating them. They have already used their ISA allowance. What tax reliefs do the venture capital schemes offer and how can they be used to reduce your client’s tax bill?
EU TRADE - 30.08.2023
Key points for clients post-Brexit
Some of your clients are increasing their sales to EU-based customers. Are they aware of when they will need to register for VAT there and can they benefit from a new VAT saving scheme relating to Northern Ireland?
LOSS RELIEF - 30.08.2023
Can loss claim be amended?
A 2023 Court of Appeal hearing considered whether a loss relief claim could be revised following an enquiry. What were the issues, and what was the outcome?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 30.08.2023
Company vs employee purchase of capital equipment
Your client is a company with several employees who wish to work from home, which the directors have agreed to. However, they need to purchase office equipment to be able to work. Are there tax breaks if the employees incur the costs, and is this the best option?
EDUCATION - 30.08.2023
Meeting the cost of education tax efficiently
In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, several of your clients have asked for advice about planning ahead for school and university fees. They have heard about a scheme set up to pay fees that HMRC has said doesn’t work and are keen to avoid anything controversial. What can you advise?
SEPARATING COUPLES - 30.08.2023
CGT on divorce: the recent changes
Your client divorced in 2022 but has only just agreed a financial settlement. The consent order provides for various asset transfers, but will your client be able to obtain a tax-free transfer given they divorced before the April 2023 changes?
PENALTIES - 30.08.2023
Late returns and payments consequences
The penalty system for late tax returns and payments has been subject to a number of tweaks in recent years. What’s the position now, and how have rising interest rates affected matters?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 29.08.2023
Excluding a rude workplace companion costs over £1,500
An employer must pay an employee over £1,500 in compensation after it barred his chosen workplace companion from two meetings. This was despite the fact the companion had been rude and aggressive. What do you need to know?
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS - 29.08.2023
Managing back-breaking tasks
Back pain accounts for 42% of all reported musculoskeletal disorders. What can you do to reduce the strain on your staff and thereby prevent them from taking periods of sickness absence?
EXPENSES - 29.08.2023
How to avoid a common mistake with mileage payments
Several of your employees use their personally owned vehicles for work, for which you pay a mileage allowance at HMRC’s approved rates. But there’s a potential trap that could land you with a tax and NI bill. How can you avoid it?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 29.08.2023
How to tackle regular odd days of sickness absence
You’ve noticed that one of your employees is regularly taking an odd day’s sickness absence here and there. What’s the best way to tackle this short-term sickness absence problem?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 29.08.2023
Have you checked your NI contributions lately?
There are good reasons for keeping a close eye on your NI contributions. For example, they are key to your entitlement to the state pension and other benefits. How can you identify and check if you’ve over or underpaid contributions?
DISMISSAL - 29.08.2023
What’s an “SOSR dismissal”?
One of the potentially fair reasons for dismissal is “some other substantial reason” - often referred to as an “SOSR dismissal”. In what situations can some other substantial reason be relied upon to terminate employment?
ABSENCE MANAGEMENT - 29.08.2023
Air travel disruption: employees stranded abroad
If an employee is unable to return to work on time from their holiday either today or later this week because they are currently stranded abroad, what’s the employment position?
REDUNDANCY - 24.08.2023
Unexpected consequence of redundancies
In times of economic uncertainty, many employers look at making redundancies. However, there’s a risk in redundancy situations which can end up catching you out. What do you need to know to avoid it?
HOLIDAYS - 24.08.2023
No holiday left to cover Christmas shutdown
You’ve decided to shut down between Christmas and New Year to give staff a well-deserved break. However, one employee doesn’t have enough holiday left to cover this period. Can they use days from next year’s holiday entitlement?
PAY - 24.08.2023
Recovering overpayments from an employee
You’ve discovered that an employee has been accidentally overpaid and are thinking about automatically deducting the amount of the overpayment from their next salary payment. What does the law permit you to do here?
EXPENSES - 24.08.2023
Who pays for an employee’s parking penalty?
An MP has been criticised for attempting to claim a parking penalty on her expenses. MPs aren’t permitted to do this, but what’s the situation when an employee incurs a parking penalty whilst working?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 24.08.2023
Greater flexible working rights?
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which received Royal Assent in July 2023, is expected to come into force in the next twelve months. Will it enhance existing flexible working rights?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 24.08.2023
Unfairly dismissed over sex work in the car park
An employee who was dismissed after his employer discovered that he was operating a sex business from its car park has won his claim for unfair dismissal. Where did the employer go wrong?
RECRUITMENT - 24.08.2023
How a simple error could mean £45,000 fine
The Home Office has confirmed that the fine for employers who hire workers illegally will triple at the start of 2024. However, many employers are fined because of one simple admin error. What’s the hidden trap?
RISK ASSESSMENT - 24.08.2023
Sole trader jailed after fatality at garage
The owner of a garage has been jailed after a worker was crushed to death by a vehicle whilst working underneath it. What led up to the tragedy and what can you do to keep your workers safe?
FORKLIFT TRUCKS - 24.08.2023
Working around forklift trucks
It’s not just drivers who are at risk of operating forklift trucks (FLTs), but those working alongside them should understand the risks to help keep themselves and others safe. What can you do to encourage safe working practices?
WORKING AT HEIGHT - 24.08.2023
Working at height myths debunked
There are often many rules of thumb and myths surrounding safety rules when working at height. We debunk some of the most common myths so that you can ensure your workers are receiving the right information to keep them safe.
ENVIRONMENT - 24.08.2023
Checking if your suppliers are green
A new survey shows that 89% of small businesses would check the sustainability credentials of a supplier before choosing to work with them. Is that a good idea and if so how do you go about it?
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - 24.08.2023
New bill protects against terrorist threats
The government is seeking to introduce the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, often referred to as Protect Duty. What’s involved and will it affect your business?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 24.08.2023
Avoid discriminating against epileptic employees
A factory worker who was dismissed after a doctor’s report concluded he was unfit for work due to epilepsy was treated unfairly, an employment tribunal has ruled. What were the circumstances and how can you avoid making the same mistake?
WORKPLACE - 24.08.2023
Increasing awareness of metalworking fluid risks
Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are used when drilling or shaping metal components. They seem innocuous enough so staff may underestimate the risks. What are the health risks and how can you minimise the likelihood of harm being realised?
SELF ASSESSMENT - 24.08.2023
HMRC seeks help to cut backlog
Accountants and other tax agents are being asked by HMRC to finalise provisional returns well ahead of the normal deadline. Why, and how should you respond?
DISCRIMINATION - 07.08.2023
Is weight discrimination unlawful?
According to Pearn Kandola’s Weight Discrimination at Work Report 2023, 70% of employees believe weight discrimination occurs in their workplace but 40% would not report it. What does the law say about weight discrimination?
