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In March 2020 HMRC announced that businesses had the option to defer VAT payments falling due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 until 31 March 2021.  An important step in taking  advantage of this easement is to cancel your Direct Debit.  Where you have failed to do this and your VAT payment has…

The Charity Commission released updated guidelines in April 2020 for auditors and independent examiners. This was based around the statutory duty to report to the charity regulators in the UK on matters of material significance.   The three main changes in this updated guidance are as follows: confirmation that difficulties in carrying out an audit…

From 1st July, whilst still appreciating the benefits of the Furlough Scheme, employers will be able to benefit from the option of bringing employees back to work on a part time basis. This is one month earlier than had previously been announced.   Whilst working, employers will be required to pay their employees at their…

It is common practice for director/shareholders to be paid a modest salary through PAYE and pay the balance of their remuneration in dividends.  This of course is perfectly permissible if the company has profits available to distribute to shareholders and there is no breach of directors’ duty.  Unfortunately, the dramatic effect that the Coronavirus is…

The Government have announced that the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, which will enable employers with fewer than 250 employees to claim Coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay will launch online on 26 May 2020.   Employers are eligible to use the scheme if:   they’re claiming for an employee who’s eligible for sick pay due to…

If you are an employee with a company car, and maybe fuel provided, it is worthwhile considering giving up the car, or fuel, during the current pandemic if you are working from home or furloughed.   A company car benefit in kind (BIK) is a set amount based on the list price and emissions regardless…

Like many Government departments, Companies House have relaxed various compliance requirements to support businesses to get through this Covid-19 period. In their latest announcement, they are making the following temporary changes to their strike off policies:   Voluntary (Form DS01 submitted) Strike Off Applications – Process halted after notice published in London Gazette. Automatic Dissolutions…

HMRC have announced temporary zero rating of personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for use by Public Health England.  This is good news for care homes and others that are incurring significant additional costs on purchasing PPE at the moment but are unable to reclaim VAT.  The zero-rating is effect for supplies made between 1 May…

Although some sectors of agriculture are weathering the coronavirus storm quite well for others there are serious issues. For those whose cash-flow has been particularly impacted and who have loans or rent, land or buildings from SSAS or SIPP pension schemes a recent announcement from HM Revenue & Customs may offer some help:-   HMRC…

On Saturday, the Government announced a top up to the local business grants scheme fund. While details are currently scarce, the scheme is aimed to help businesses that did not qualify for a grant under existing grant schemes.   The fund can be distributed at the discretion of local authorities, but will be aimed at…