Latest blogs for Specialisms

  The current system for processing customs declarations for imports and exports with non-EU countries is changing. The current CHIEF system is to be replaced with the new CDS (Customs Declaration Service) to be phased in from August 2018 into early 2019.   The old system is nearly 25 years old and has become inflexible…

  As we all get used to the Chancellor’s main Budget now being in the Autumn, he still chose to make a few policy announcements in his Spring Statement yesterday. Items of interest to those running technology companies included: Stagnant growth. Despite the ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ strapline for his speech, the…

  Effective from April 2018 the National Minimum Wage rates will be increasing again, as per the below figures: Workers aged 25 years or more: £7.83 per hour Workers aged 21 to 24 years: £7.38 per hour Workers aged 18 to 20 years: £5.90 per hour Workers aged under 18 (but above compulsory school age):…

  The government have recently updated their guidance to help protect charities from fraud. The guidance contains advice, regulatory alerts and links to other helpful websites to help charities to understand fraud and how to protect themselves against it. In December 2017, Action Fraud opened a cyber-attack helpline. If you experience a live cyber-attack, this…

  In November 2017, the government posted research into awareness and effectiveness of trusteeship in England and Wales. This recommended that charities should do more to promote diversity on their boards. This would involve encouraging applications from women, young people and people from ethnic minority and socially diverse backgrounds. Some of the key findings of…

  BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd has lost a high profile test case with HMRC over whether or not IR35 legislation applied to her contract. The main terms of this contract, between her personal service company and the BBC, were: 7 year contract Providing tv presenting services for 225 days pa   The First…

  Whiting & Partners, The Corporate Finance Network’s representative firm in Cambridgeshire, has successfully advised the shareholders of a pump supplier to a global competitor. The Whiting & Partners team, marketed the company for sale which led to a number of meetings and subsequent offers from a range of interested parties. The client, using the…

  For many years now, businesses, particularly builders, have provided their staff with twin cab pick-ups, instead of cars, to take advantage of the more generous tax regime. Such vehicles have previously been taxed as a van, resulting in more favourable capital allowances, VAT, NIC and benefit in kind treatments. The distinction between a car…

  Charities with the financial year end of 31 March 2017 must submit their annual return by 31 January 2018, 10 months after the year end. What you need to submit varies based on whether it is an un-incorporated organisation or a charitable company. It also varies based on income of the charity – requiring…

  Limited company directors and secretaries are collectively referred to as ‘officers’. Directors are appointed by members (shareholders and guarantors) to run and manage the day-to-day operations of the business. Secretaries are optional for private companies, but not public companies. They are usually appointed to assist directors with important administrative tasks. An Overview Company directors…