Latest blogs for Services

  The government are offering compensation to those who have been affected by problems with the implementation of Tax-Free Childcare. Individuals who have been affected may be able to get a government top-up as a one-off payment for Tax-Free Childcare. The government will also consider refunding any reasonable costs directly caused by the service not…

  Under pensions auto enrolment employers have to enrol qualifying employees into a workplace pension. Duties include paying contributions for the employee. The process of auto enrolment has been phased in from October 2012 when the largest employers had to comply with the rules. However the rules are set to change and new employers will…

  The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has begun carrying out employer spot checks to make sure employers are complying with their automatic enrolment duties and that they are giving their staff the workplace pensions they’re entitled to. According to the TPR these inspections help them to understand any challenges employers are facing, and whether TPR need…

HMRC have issued their latest guidance to employers in the August edition of the Employer Bulletin. This publication, which is issued every two months, includes articles on: Reporting Pay As You Earn in real time Optional Remuneration Arrangements Tax codes – Get it right first time PAYE penalties – continuation of the risk-based approach to charging penalties…

HMRC have announced the introduction of a new online tax forum and webchat service for small businesses. HMRC are advising that the new service called the Small Business Online Forum offers advice on tax matters as well as help with: starting a business support for growing a business – including taking on employees and expanding…

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 September 2017. The guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car. The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or…

The government is to introduce new data protection rules under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which takes effect from 25 May 2018. Under the GDPR businesses will have increased obligations to safeguard the personal information of individuals which is stored by the business. These rules apply to the information of customers, suppliers or employees.…

Companies that are developing innovative new products, services or systems have long understood the generosity of the R&D tax relief rules. These give a notional 130% uplift to eligible costs in the company’s corporation tax computation. Such eligible costs include ‘employee costs’, which hitherto has included all ‘reimbursed expenses’. This has always seemed overly generous…

HMRC have for some time been keen for taxpayers to make their tax payments electronically.  They have recently updated their guidance to show that from 15 December 2017 it will no longer be possible for taxpayers to pay self-assessment tax, or in fact any other type of tax, directly at the Post Office.   This…

  A parent with spare funds to invest may like to consider purchasing a property for their student son or daughter to live in whilst at university, in order to save on student accommodation costs.   We recently advised a client that, so long as their son or daughter lives in the property as his…