Latest blogs for Services

  When Making Tax Digital (MTD) was first announced, HM Revenue & Customs said that free software would be available for the most straightforward small businesses.  Under MTD records of business income and expenses will be required to be kept digitally using a software product or app.   HMRC have since provided clarification on which…

Two fantastic days at Xerocon London on 4th and 5th October as 2000 attendees from 24 countries descended on the ExCel, the annual event for Xero Partners. Over the two days, four of our staff: Tom Carter, Dan Coleman, Steph Tinkler and Chip Moore attended the event. It was an opportunity to learn about new…

We have known since 2010 that HMRC has a computer programme, called “Connect”, that is collecting data from a variety of sources about taxpayers, and then using this intelligence to check on correct tax compliance. We have known that these data sources include Banks, Social Media, DVLA, Local Authorities, Foreign Tax Jurisdictions and Land Registry.…

  HMRC have now implemented their ‘Simple Assessment’ project, where they use the information already available to them from employers, pension providers, the DWP and banks to calculate the tax for those with straightforward or ’Simple’ tax affairs, without the need for a tax return to be completed.   In theory this sounds like an…

  For the first time, parents who are employed and have suffered the death of a child would receive statutory paid leave to grieve, under a new law being supported by the Government. Currently, employees have a day-one right to take a “reasonable” amount of time off work to deal with a family or dependant…

  Following last year’s report from HMRC  showing that only a quarter of couples eligible for marriage tax allowance were actually claiming, figures have reduced but still stand at just over a half of couples missing out on the £230 a year they are entitled to. Although the government have tried to simplify the application…

  As we approach the end of the first quarter in the run-up to Brexit D-day, we are now beginning to see what practical steps SME businesses are taking in preparation: Businesses with a significant production source or market presence within the rest of the EU are strengthening their presence there. Creating a subsidiary based…

  The Pensions Regulator have recently been working their way around the country, making spot checks to ensure employers are complying with Auto-enrolment duties. These help The Pensions Regulator understand any challenges employers are facing, and if they need to make any changes to their guidance. It also helps them identify employers who are failing…

  I have blogged on this subject before. Unfortunately, this type of fraud is on the increase.   HMRC have published an up-dated warning with examples of bogus emails, text messages, and social media scams purporting to be from HMRC.  They also mention again bogus callers leaving messages about the need to make immediate tax…

R&D tax relief, to provide government subsidies to those companies that develop innovation products, services or systems, has been with us for 17 years now. The latest HMRC R&D tax relief take-up report, encouragingly, shows that the following recent improvements to the scheme have increased the amount of tax relief claimed by 22% over the…