News
PAYE tax codes 09-Feb-2012
HMRC are issuing PAYE tax codes for 2012/13. These new coding notices, which are due to be issue..
Online VAT Returns and Electronic Payments 07-Feb-2012
Since April 2010 most VAT registered businesses have been required to submit their VAT Returns o..
HMRC Business Records Checks 06-Feb-2012
HMRC has announced a suspension of the Business Records Check (BRC) program until the new tax year, ..
Self Assessment Deadline and Penalties 02-Feb-2012
HMRC have announced that they will not impose late filing penalties on taxpayers who file their ..
The Portas Review 31-Jan-2012
The CBI commented on a report by Mary Portas on the future of the high street. Dr Neil Bentley, ..
HMRC to accept Faster Payments 24-Jan-2012
HMRC have announced that they will now accept payments made using the Faster Payments Service. T..
Statutory Residence Test 19-Jan-2012
The government has been consulting on introducing a Statutory Residence Test (SRT). The test whi..
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme 17-Jan-2012
The government has released more information on the new Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)..
Capital allowances in Enterprise Zones 12-Jan-2012
Following the Autumn Statement at the end of November 2011, more information is now available in..
Advisory fuel rates for company cars 10-Jan-2012
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published to take effect from 1 December 2011. HMR..
Pensions Auto Enrolment 05-Jan-2012
The Government has confirmed that pensions auto enrolment will commence in Autumn 2012 and all e..
Consultation – Have Your Say 27-Dec-2011
The government has launched a consultation, ‘Modernising the administration of the personal ta..
Watch Out For Big Increase in Company Car Tax 20-Dec-2011
There is a sharp increase in the taxable car benefit on many company cars with effect from 6 April 2..
Unemployment Rises to 2.62 million 15-Dec-2011
The CBI commented on official data showing unemployment rose by 129,000 to 2.62 million in the three..
VAT and Duty on Shopping 13-Dec-2011
Angela Shephard, Head of Customs Policy, HMRC is warning individuals not to get caught out by &lsquo..
New HMRC Taskforces 08-Dec-2011
Five new taskforces have been set up to tackle tax evasion in different areas of the country. The ne..
Autumn Statement 06-Dec-2011
On Tuesday 29 November the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its updated forecast for..
Importing and Exporting Guide 22-Nov-2011
HMRC have issued a ‘Guide to Importing & Exporting - Breaking down the Barriers’. Ac..
HMRC Issue Updated Guidance For Employees on Childcare 17-Nov-2011
HMRC have updated their guidance on employers helping with childcare costs. Leaflet IR155 which ..
HMRC Extend Business Record Checks 08-Nov-2011
HMRC have announced that they are extending their Business Records Checks programme. These..
Plan To Boost The Economy 03-Nov-2011
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has proposed a new economic growth plan which aims to improve busin..
HMRC Launch The Catch Up Plan 01-Nov-2011
HMRC have launched a campaign to target private tutors and coaches who have undeclared tax liabi..
Make Sure Your Employee Information Is Correct 30-Oct-2011
HMRC are reminding employers of the importance of correct employee information and have updated the ..
New Construction Industry Penalties 21-Oct-2011
From October 2011 the late submission Construction Industry Scheme monthly returns will result in re..
Blitz on Small Firms 20-Oct-2011
It appears that HMRC are concerned that whilst others will benefit from the influx of trade that..
New Tax Return Penalties 17-Oct-2011
We would like to remind our clients and readers of the new Self Assessment penalties for late tax re..
Agreement With Switzerland to Secure Billions in Unpaid Tax 13-Oct-2011
The government has agreed measures with Switzerland to tackle offshore tax evasion. Under the terms ..
New Advisory Fuel Rates for Company Cars 12-Oct-2011
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published to take effect from 1 September 2011. HMRC&r..
New National Minimum Wage Rates 10-Oct-2011
The adult rate of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) increased to £6.08 (£5.93) an hour on ..
Company Car Changes 05-Oct-2011
The income tax charge on the valuable benefit of having a company car available for your private use..
Enterprise Zones 28-Sep-2011
The government has announced 11 new Enterprise Zones as part of the government’s ‘Plan f..
Data Protection Breach 26-Sep-2011
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has ruled that cosmetics retailer Lush breached..
CLOSURE OF HMRC'S OLD BANK ACCOUNTS 15-Sep-2011
We would like to inform you that HMRC Bank of England accounts closed with effect from 9 August 2011..
AUTOCLENZ STATUS CASE 11-Sep-2011
A Supreme Court judgement has found that workers engaged as car valeters by Autoclenz were in fact e..
PENSIONS ONLINE INTERACTIVE TOOLS 07-Sep-2011
The Pensions Regulator has launched an online tool designed to help smaller businesses get to grips ..
HMRC CIVIL DISORDER HELPLINE 05-Sep-2011
HMRC have announced a new helpline - 0845 366 1207- to assist businesses and individuals adversely a..
HMRC UPDATE ADVICE ON DELAYED STATEMENTS 05-Sep-2011
HMRC have updated their guidance to those taxpayers who did not receive their Self Assessment statem..
REAL TIME INFORMATION 30-Aug-2011
HMRC have issued some further guidance on Real Time Information (RTI) which may be useful to employe..
TAX CREDIT FRAUD 25-Aug-2011
Following an HMRC investigation a West Midlands woman, Kerry Melia, a mother of six, has been send t..
HMRC arrest 5 ghosts 24-Aug-2011
HMRC has announced that five ‘ghost’ plumbers have been arrested and a further 600 are u..
HMRC TARGET BUSINESSES NOT REGISTERED FOR VAT 22-Aug-2011
HMRC have launched a campaign aimed at VAT rule-breakers. As part of this campaign they have confirm..
PAYMENTS COUNCIL TO KEEP CHEQUES 19-Aug-2011
The Payments Council has announced that cheques will continue for as long as customers need them ..
TRIBUNAL CRITICISES HMRC FOR DELAY IN ISSUING PENALTIES 16-Aug-2011
In a potentially wide-ranging case, HMRC have been criticised for deliberately issuing penalties for..
HMRC LATE ISSUING STATEMENTS 13-Aug-2011
HMRC have advised that there are apparently more Self Assessment statements than usual to issue t..
CHANGES TO THE LAW TO PROTECT PATENT AND DESIGN RIGHTS 31-Jul-2011
The government has announced that it expects small and medium sized businesses to benefit from a new..
TAX CREDITS RENEWAL DEADLINE 27-Jul-2011
Tax credits are state benefits which are generally available to lower income families. However, enti..
THE BRIBERY ACT 24-Jul-2011
The Bribery Act 2010 came into force on 1 July 2011. The new Act replaces, updates and extends the e..
CONSULTATION ON RESIDENCY 19-Jul-2011
Over recent weeks, HMRC have issued numerous consultation documents totalling hundreds of pages. ..
WORKPLACE PENSIONS REFORM 14-Jul-2011
The government has introduced measures aimed at encouraging greater private saving which includes wo..
ANOTHER EMAIL SCAM WARNING FROM HMRC 11-Jul-2011
HMRC are once again alerting taxpayers to a surge of fake ‘phishing’ emails sent out by ..
HMRC EXTEND ‘TAX CHEATS’ CAMPAIGNS 08-Jul-2011
HMRC have announced that they will be launching new campaigns over the next year targeting VAT defau..
Agency Workers Guidance 27-Jun-2011
The government has published guidance to ‘help’ employers and the recruitment sector pre..
HMRC's New Task Force to Tackle 'Tax Dodgers' 23-Jun-2011
HMRC are introducing specialist teams which will undertake intensive bursts of compliance activity i..
Flexible Working Consultation 20-Jun-2011
The government has launched a consultation on plans to introduce a new system of flexible parental l..
HMRC Warn of Email Rebate Scam 13-Jun-2011
HMRC are warning that taxpayers are being emailed stating that they are entitled to a tax rebate. Th..
CBI Survey on Sick Days and the Impact of Fit Notes 09-Jun-2011
According to the CBI’s Absence and Workplace Health Survey fit notes have failed to deliver a ..
HMRC Trial Single Compliance Process 05-Jun-2011
HMRC have announced trials of a single compliance process for enquiries across a range of different ..
Advisory Fuel Rates for Company Cars 02-Jun-2011
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published to take effect from 1 June 2011. HMRC’..
Implementation Date Announced for the Bribery Act 2010 26-May-2011
At the end of March 2011, the Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke announced that the Bribery Act 2010 ..
Online VAT Returns 20-May-2011
HMRC have confirmed that all businesses will have to complete online VAT returns and pay their VAT l..
P11D Deadline Looming 16-May-2011
The forms P11D, and where appropriate P9D, which report employees and directors benefits and expense..
National Minimum Wage Rates 12-May-2011
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitle..
Penalties on Late Payment of PAYE 09-May-2011
HMRC have been warning employers for some time that they may have to pay a penalty if they do not pa..
Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme to End 06-May-2011
It has been announced that the Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme will come to an end. The closure o..
Real Time Information 04-May-2011
HMRC are planning to introduce significant changes to the way in which PAYE information is submitted..
Retirement and the Removal of the Default Retirement Age 27-Apr-2011
ACAS have updated their guidance on the transitional arrangements which are in place to abolish the ..
Standard Rate of VAT - Updated Guidance 25-Apr-2011
HMRC have updated their guidance on how to deal with the change in the standard rate of VAT which ha..
Plumbers Tax Safe Plan 22-Apr-2011
HMRC have introduced the Plumbers Tax Safe Plan. This is the latest of HMRC’s disclosure oppor..
HMRC Launch Business Records Tools 20-Apr-2011
HMRC are making available on their website checklists and toolkits which they believe are suitable f..
£1.3 Million Tax Credits Identity Thief Jailed 18-Apr-2011
Olaide (John) Taiwo, aged 35, has been jailed for his part in stealing the identities of at least 35..
Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credits 15-Apr-2011
Subject to State aid approval, legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2011 to increase the r..
Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) 13-Apr-2011
The AMAP rates can be used to claim the cost of business mileage in an employee’s own vehicle...
Corporation Tax Rates 11-Apr-2011
Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2011 to reduce the main rate of corporation tax from ..
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTS) 08-Apr-2011
EIS and VCTs are designed to encourage private individuals to invest in smaller unquoted trading com..
Budget Statement 05-Apr-2011
George Osborne presented his second Budget on Wednesday 23 March 2011. In his statement he said that..
Advisory fuel rates for company cars 31-Mar-2011
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published to take effect from 1 March 2011. HMRC&rsquo..
Employer filing deadline P35 and P14S 30-Mar-2011
HMRC are reminding employers that, in order to avoid penalties, they must file the Employer Annual R..
HMRC warns against 'Phishy' Email 28-Mar-2011
HMRC have reported a surge of fake ‘phishing’ emails following the 31 January 2011 Self ..
HMRC PAYE CD-Rom 25-Mar-2011
Employers that are used to finding necessary PAYE information on the Employer CD-ROM should be aware..
Electronic P60s 23-Mar-2011
For this tax year onwards employers will be able to provide P60 (pay and deductions details for the ..
Construction Site Visits 21-Mar-2011
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are advising that they are currently carrying out a series of ..
Take care with Electronic PAYE Payment Dates 18-Mar-2011
HMRC are reminding employers to ensure that PAYE payments made electronically have been cleared into..
HMRC loses case on late filing penalty 17-Mar-2011
HMRC’s stance on postal tax return submissions suffered a blow from First Tier tribunal judge ..
If you can’t say anything nice… 17-Mar-2011
Employers should think twice about giving or acting upon a bad reference as they could be liable ..
Corporation Tax Returns Changes Ahead 09-Mar-2011
Broadly all corporation tax returns (including form CT600, supplementary schedules, tax computations..
Taxman gets tough with accountant 04-Mar-2011
Kishor Doshi, director of Sunderland accountancy and taxation firm Otax, is facing a custodial sente..
First Data Protection Act Fines Issued 01-Mar-2011
FIRST DATA PROTECTION ACT FINES ISSUED Data protection has hit the headlines again with news that..
HMRC New Scam Emails 28-Feb-2011
HMRC have updated their guidance to taxpayers regarding scam emails. HMRC are aware that bogus..
Data Protection Fines 26-Feb-2011
Employers should ensure that their processes adequately protect personal data, including encrypting ..
Age Discrimination In The Workplace 24-Feb-2011
Ageism in the workplace is particularly topical this year, with the high profile case of Miriam O&rs..
Changes to the Advisory Fuel Rates from 1 December 2010 23-Feb-2011
To reflect the increase in fuel prices, HMRC have issued new advisory fuel rates for employees drivi..
PAYE Tax Codes 21-Feb-2011
HMRC are issuing PAYE tax codes for 2011/12. These new coding notices, which are due to be issued be..
Dealing with the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday 18-Feb-2011
Qdos has guidance regarding the announcement of an extra bank holiday for the forthcoming royal wedd..
Electronic PAYE Payment Dates 16-Feb-2011
HMRC are reminding employers to be careful that PAYE payments made electronically have been cleared ..
Riskdisk's Review of 2010 and Forecast for 2011 15-Feb-2011
Our credit reference agents, RiskDisk have released their annual report which is set out below: ..
Employment Rights - Statutory Limits 14-Feb-2011
The limit on the amount of the compensatory award for unfair dismissal increased from 1 February 201..
HMRC Use Confiscation Proceedings 12-Feb-2011
The Court of Appeal recently upheld the verdict against a small-time tax cheat who was hit with conf..
Real Time Information For Paye 11-Feb-2011
HMRC plan to introduce radical changes to the PAYE system. HMRC have published a consultation docume..
Unfair Dismissal Awards 11-Feb-2011
The maximum compensation that can be awarded in unfair dismissal cases is to be increased to £..
Planning Ahead 10-Feb-2011
As the final tax returns are submitted for 2009/10 it is important to remember that the end of the c..
A House Divided 26-Jan-2011
The Campaign for an Independent Britain has delivered a copy of its new booklet A House Divided, whi..
Class 2 NICS – New Payments Arrangements 17-Jan-2011
Class 2 national insurance contributions (NICs) are currently payable by the self employed at a flat..
Employer CDrom update 23-Dec-2010
HMRC are advising employers that make use of the Employer CDrom that they have made some importa..
New Legislation – Death and Taxes 23-Dec-2010
Key announcements were made on 9 December providing draft legislative changes that will take effect ..
VAT rate increase - shoppers will see price increase 22-Dec-2010
With the standard rate of VAT set to increase to 20% from the current 17.5% it is a good idea to be ..
New tax free children's savings account 17-Dec-2010
The Government has announced that they will create a new tax-free children’s savings account f..
Parties for employees 13-Dec-2010
With the season for office parties fast approaching we thought it would be a good idea to remind you..
NEST Pension Reforms 2012 07-Dec-2010
The introduction of the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) has been in the press recently foll..
Royal Wedding Bank Holiday 02-Dec-2010
Following the announcement of the engagement of Prince William to Catherine Middleton the date of th..
Government Announcement expected on tax issues 29-Nov-2010
On Monday 29 November the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish its updated forecast f..
31st October deadline 31-Oct-2010
Taxpayers who wish to file a paper (non electronic) tax return for the 2009/10 tax year, should have..
Tell HMRC about a change of name or address by email 11-Oct-2010
HMRC are publicising the facility to alter certain details by email. If your circumstances have..
The Workforce Assessment Tool 30-Sep-2010
The Age and Employment Network (TAEN) has launched a UK version of a successful US tool that allows ..
HMRC Use New Debt Collection OrganisationsONS 28-Sep-2010
In the Emergency Budget it was announced that HMRC would use Debt Collection Agencies (DCAs) operati..
Furnished Holiday Lettings 26-Sep-2010
The tax treatment of Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) has been advantageous for many years. Provided..
Employer Provided Company Cars 24-Sep-2010
Historically, when employers started to provide, changed or stopped providing cars to employees, For..
HMRC and DWP Trial is Genuine 22-Sep-2010
HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are working together to offer “customers&r..
Holiday Guidance 20-Sep-2010
ACAS has reminded employers of the workplace rights around annual leave and flexible working and has..
Tax Saving Strategy 20-Sep-2010
We are pleased to let you know that registration is open for the income tax strategy for clients wis..
New Guidance on the Equality Act 17-Sep-2010
ACAS has issued new guidance to help businesses understand the changes to the new Equality Act. The ..
Government Confirm Minimum Wage Rises 15-Sep-2010
The government has confirmed that the new National Minimum Wage rates, which come into effect on 1 O..
Dash for Cash 10-Sep-2010
In the last couple of weeks, we have identified a new initiative within HMRC which appears to be..
New rules for charities 06-Sep-2010
Earlier this year a series of changes were made to the tax rules for charities and Community Ama..
NIC planning opportunities 05-Sep-2010
The Coalition government intends to introduce a scheme to help new businesses in targeted areas ..
Working Time Directive for Self Employed Drivers 31-Aug-2010
In June, the European Parliament voted in favour of including self-employed lorry drivers within..
Business Investment Rises 23-Aug-2010
Investment by UK businesses rose at the fastest rate since 1987 in the first quarter of 2010, accord..
PAYE Codes 10-Feb-2010
A number of problems have come to light concering the Revenues new computer system which is issu..
Return of the standard rate of VAT to 17.5% 18-Dec-2009
As you are no doubt aware the standard rate of VAT is set to revert to 17.5% from 15% on 1 Janu..
VAT Changes: Compulsory Online Filing and Electronic Payment 18-Dec-2009
In 2006, a government report recommended online filing for businesses and IT literate individuals. A..