Pensions and Tax Year End
As we are approaching the end of the 2015/16 tax year now is a very good time for giving this some thought. Making contributions can preserve personal allowances for anyone whose income is above £100,000.
Pension contributions can be made tax free up to certain limits. These limits are as follows:
- 100% of the earnings for the tax year. You cannot claim relief for more than total relevant earnings for the year
- Up to the £40,000 annual allowance; and
- £1.25 million during the individuals lifetime i.e. the lifetime allowance.
Contributions that exceed the above limits will be subject to tax.
The annual allowance or any part of the annual allowance that is unused from the previous three tax years may be added to the annual allowance of the current year. If no contributions have been made in the three previous years it may be possible to make a contribution equivalent to four years’ annual allowance provided there are sufficient earnings to cover the contribution. The annual allowance for 2011/12 and 2012/13 was £50,000 and for 2013/14 was £40,000.
Given that Budget Day is set at 16 March 2016, which may include immediate changes to tax relief on pension contributions, it is advisable to consider making use of the above allowances before that date.
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Latest announcements from HMRC on CJRS Dec 2021
Latest updates from HMRC on Coronoavirus Job Retention Scheme with extension to 30 April 2021 announced
15 ways Brexit will impact businesses based in the UK
31 December 2020 marks the end of the Brexit transition period. Here's what we know so far regards business
Business Mileage 2020 and what you should claim
As all business owners know, business mileage can be reclaimed: but the rates applicable do vary, depending on who owns the car being used – you or your employer.
Update on CRJS as at Nov 2020
The government has now published its official guidance for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been extended until 31 March 2021.
Choosing a company vehicle
Choosing the right vehicle(s) and the right finance options for your business is an important decision: get it wrong and it is potentially costly. Get it right and you can save a lot of money, time and hassle – so give it careful consideration.
Update as of 5 Nov 2020 on Furlough and Job Retention Scheme
Please note this is correct at time of publishing but keep an eye out for updates as they happen.
The further extension of furlough
Funding support for employees – the latest instalment
It seems we’ve only just published our report on the new Job Support Scheme (JSS) and already it has been superseded by events.
JSS and Lockdown Restrictions
Will the new Job Support Scheme cover me if my business is closed due to lockdown restrictions?
Support versus retention – what’s the difference?
The Job Support Scheme replaces the government’s Job Retention Scheme on 1 November; but what precisely is the difference? A fair question, which impacts tens of thousands of employees across the country: so let’s look at the detail.
October Update on Job Support Scheme and Self Employed Support Scheme
The Chancellor has announced the bones of the new scheme which will replace the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or 'furlough scheme' which is due to end at the end of this month.
What you need to do from 1 October
From 1 October, HMRC will pay 60% of usual wages up to a cap of £1,875 per month for the hours furloughed employees do not work.
Get your Business Real Estate correct
Your business Real Estate is your business name and all that goes with that. It's important to make the right decisions
Are you at risk of a SEISS penalty?
If you are self-employed or in a partnership then you probably used the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) in recent months but did you make a mistake with the claim?
Check out these complicated rules for VAT and electrical charging installations
There are more than 33,000 charging points for electric vehicles across the UK and you may get asked to install one
From 1 September HMRC will now pay 70% of usual wages
Update about changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which came into force 1st September and what this means for you.
Understanding SSP and Quarantine Rules
What are the rules for Statutory Sick Pay when an employee is obliged to self isolate after travelling abroad?
How to get to know your customers and make sales.
We’ve all heard the saying “People BUY from People” which really means that we buy generally from people and businesses we like and trust.
Eat out to help out explained
Rishi Sunak is hoping his scheme will help out many restaurants and café’s over the month of August,
What's new with the CJRS from August 2020
Details about the Job Retention Bonus and changes to the scheme as of August 1st 2020
6 inexpensive ideas to promote your business successfully
When you have a small business you are most likely also responsible for promoting your business. Here are some almost cost-free ideas to use
Post lockdown, what is the tax position on insurance claims for Business Interruption?
If you had the foresight to include a Business Interruption clause in your corporate insurance policy then you will no doubt have been in touch with your insurer now lockdown has lifted.
Each year HMRC conduct random checks on a small number of companies
Each year HMRC conduct random checks on a small number of companies that submit returns that include transactions under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).
Marketing Tip for small businesses that does not require social media.
For some businesses, social media is either too daunting or not quite right to engage with clients. Read on for some practical tips on something to do instead.
Flexible Furlough and what you need to know
Here are the rules employers and employees need to know to access the government’s flexible furlough scheme that launched on 1 July.
A brief summary of Funding and Grants available to help your business through the pandemic
We would suggest checking back at this page on a regular basis though as updates seem to come daily if not weekly. And some have deadlines coming soon.
The future of commercial fleets
The future of commercial fleets from the MArch 2020 Budget is still good advice, regardless of when you are reading this blog.
Building or renovating your home: what’s the position with VAT?
Whether or not you need to pay VAT when building or renovating your home can make or break a project; after all VAT at the standard rate will add 20% to the cost.
VAT and Company Vans
What does the VAT-man say if you are trying to drive a financial bargain for your next company van?
Pricing to the bottom – not a good marketing strategy in recessions.
Before you think about slashing any prices in an effort to win customers, have you thought it through and what else could you do?
CJRS Update May 29
More details about the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme,
A recession is looming - now is the time to act
Once lockdown is over and business starts up again there are strong indicators that we are heading into recession and a long one at that. As a small business owner, you will be forced to make drastic moves to survive. Here are some tips on how to survive.
Zero Hours and Furlough
If you have any zero hours employees or are, indeed, one then the following should answers some of the commonly asked questions
What to do if your biggest customer goes bust - updated for May 2020
Looking ahead to post lockdown and as businesses try to pick up the pieces there will be casualties. What if one of those casualties is your big name client which you were so pleased about before the world went Covid-19 mad?
The coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme launches online on 26 May.
The scheme will enable employers with fewer than 250 employees to claim coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Tax agents will be able to make claims on behalf of employers.
Update on the Job Retention Scheme - May 2020
Last week it was announced that the CJRS scheme will be extended until the end of October. The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July.
Commercial Rents and help for Tenants during the Pandemic
High street shops and other companies under strain can be protected from aggressive rent collection
More help for small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic announced
The Chancellor has announced a 100% government backed loan scheme for small businesses, designed to offer up to £50,000 of fast-track finance for those affected by coronavirus
What happens if one of the years for the scheme made a loss
The self employed income grant scheme is not yet available online but here is a question we have been asked about how HMRC will calculate the grant if one of the qualifying years actually made a loss.
Covid-19 more business funding announced
Scottish Government second phase of funding to protect businesses against the effects of COVID-19.
How to make a Job Retention Scheme claim
HMRC have now released information for employers about making a claim for The Job Retention Scheme.
Job Retention Scheme
More detailed information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and how it will work including updates as they are released
3 new funds for the creative community in Scotland announced.
Funding programmes designed to provide further support to sustain the country’s creative community during the COVID-19 outbreak:
Covid 19 Limited Company Directors and Dividends
Self Employed or Limited Company Director with Dividends - we try to unravel what support is available
Self-employed workers - Covid-19 support
The scheme to help self-employed workers who have been hit by the COVID-19 crisis has finally been announced
VAT Deferral - Covid-19
We are getting asked a lot about VAT and deferral as announced by The Chancellor. Important information if you want to take this action
Coping for business during the Covid-19 Crisis
This excellent Business Action and Advice plan has been published by Business Gateway. It’s not too late to implement some of the suggested strategies and some good ideas for moving forward. As always, we are here to help you too.
More about accessing the Business Support Fund
Grant support is now available to help business deal with the impact of COVID-19. The purpose of these one-off grants is to help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery
Keep in in touch with your customers now will pay dividends after the crisis
Some advice about using Digital Tools and Social Platforms during the Covid-19 Crisis
CV-19 Employers Update
We offer some advice for employers regarding self-isolation as of today but this may change and we will keep you updated.
CV-19 affects Landlords - what the government expects
The Scottish Government issued a statement about Rented Accommodation. We have extracted from the statement information relevant to private landlords.
IR35 and the implications
HMRC will apply new rules on IR35 from 6 April 2020, much to the disappointment of those who have campaigned to halt the change.
IR 35
Much has already been done to improve the administration of IR35 and there is more to do on many of the areas identified for improvement.
Deregistering for VAT
Trading just below the VAT threshold of £85K and thinking of deregistering? It’s very simple to do. But do think about the implications before you go ahead.
If you thought the age of apprenticeships was over, think again
Modern Apprenticeships are in the news quite a bit at the moment with the Scottish Government looking to fill the skills gap. Here's some information in case your business might think about an apprentice
The battle between cyber criminals and companies is constant and on-going
Business is now done mostly on personal computers, smartphones and tablets so we often take the advantages of this flexibility somewhat for granted. It is too easy to forget that each of these devices may represent a risk to the company and to its data.
Business mileage payments for electric and hybrid vehicles.
With the number of electric cars in the UK now exceeding 155K and interestingly over 5K vans, business use and how to work out mileage reimbursements now can present a considerable problem.
Employing Children, Save Tax and keep them busy this summer
I’m bored - the eternal summer cry from the kids
Here’s the answer - employ them and save on tax at the same time
Paying salaries to your children is a good way to reduce your taxable profits but how should you do it legally?
Company Vehicles - choose wisely
Choosing the right vehicle(s) and the right finance options for your business is an important decision and a costly one if got wrong.
What can you and should you be claiming for business expenses
Just what can you and should you be claiming for business expenses. This is one of the most frequent questions that an accountant is asked.
How to access £9 billion public sector spending with SDP
The Supplier Development Programme supports businesses competing for the £9 billion annual spend of the Scottish public sector.
A new business can struggle to get the pricing right - we offer some simple tips
This is something, as Accountants, we come across time and time again. It’s often the reason for early business failure and it’s completely avoidable. Here are some simple tips.
Find out if your suppliers are still performing as well as you want them to
We found this good article courtesy of bluqube who offer accountancy software and thought you might find it interesting.
5 ways businesses will benefit from a Brexit VAT health check
When the UK leaves the EU, the cross-border VAT environment for businesses will change.
Performing a VAT health check now will highlight practical measures that businesses can take to ease the transition and minimise risk
Business Loans Scotland provides gap funding to businesses that are looking to grow but need external finance to make it happen.
Does your business need funding to grow? Are you struggling to secure finance from the traditional lenders? Business Loans Scotland may be able to help.
Minimum Wage Shame
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has recently named 70 offenders who have failed to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW).
Facebook makes it easy to compete in the marketing stakes
We came across this article on The Drum and thought it really insightful as to how small business can easily compete with large corporates on Social Media. There is a raft of tools available now to help small business create compelling ads for little or no cost and reach ‘000’s for much less than the tiniest ad in the local press. Read on…
When Referrals go wrong
When a client refers you on for business, that’s great isn’t it? Well maybe, but read on for some potential pitfalls and how to solve them
7 ideas on how to cover self employed illness and inability to work
With all the recent furore over the “White Van Man” NI contributions rising then scrapped in the Spring Budget, we thought we’d have a look at what happens when a self employed business owner falls ill and can’t work.
Auto enrolment and the self employed or sole trader.
It's a risky strategy NOT to plan ahead for retirement when self employed. But many self employed are already struggling to keep heads above water without finding extra funds for pensions
Information from HMRC on Making Tax Digital
Businesses should not have to wait until the end of the tax year or even longer before knowing how much tax they should pay.
From April 2018, businesses, including everyone who is self-employed and those letting out property, will update HMRC at least quarterly
VAT Explained Part 3 - International VAT
Did you know that VAT is recoverable in more than 40 countries around the world?
For companies who have employees that travel to any of those countries, there is a percentage of tax in many expense types that can be reclaimed when business travellers return to their home country.
VAT Explained Part 2 - Fuel and Mileage
There are four ways to reclaim VAT paid on fuel for business trips:
VAT Explained Part 1 - Taxes made clear
VAT was introduced to the UK over 40 years ago on the 1st of April 1973. It was supposed to be straightforward and simple. Yet many years later, some of the rules can still leave you scratching your head – and they’re changing all the time
Business Rates - do not be caught out and check it now
The 2017 Business Rates revaluation is under way. This happens about every 5 years normally and should have been in 2015 but was postponed till 2017.
When HMRC audit a business they look at the entire travel and expenses process
Most people assume HMRC inspectors are only interested in completed expense claims and associated receipts – but they’re not. When the time comes to audit your business, HMRC will be looking at your entire travel and expense
Company Car changes
It has recently been announced that HMRC has started an online trial that will allow company car drivers to alter their company car details online. This is a very good idea in principle but without the correct framework it could be fraught with trouble
Intellectual Property - protect your ideas and innovations before someone else steals it.
When a business starts up often the last thing on the entrepreneurs mind is Intellectual Property.
Keeping your finger on the Digital Pulse might save your business '000's
With Cyber Crime costing SME's over £18 billion, it pays to keep up to date
4 Ways Cyber Crime Can Hurt Your Small Business.
We found this excellent article on Business Know How. It is something that many small businesses still overlook until it is too late – here are 4 consequences. And here is a link to the National Cyber Crime Unit for excellent advice
Business Awards bring success so just do it
Business Awards are without a doubt a great way to increase your business profile. Read on for 5 Top Tips on how to make your entry a winner
Working from home. How do you calculate a tax claim for heating and lighting?
Do you work from home and use the same rooms for personal use as well? Here’s how to work out a tax claim for heating and lighting.
Regain control of business costs
Shrewd owners minimise their spending when starting their business. It makes it easier to turn a profit and limits losses should the business fail. In the early days, they continue to control costs in all areas. But, gradually, things can change ....
Persons with Significant Control changes - does this affect you and if so, what you should be doing
From April 2016, UK companies and Limited Liability Partnerships are required to keep a register of Persons with significant control (PSC).
10 Practical Tips for small business to reduce the tax bill
It’s never a wrong time to review your company set up and ongoing strategy. Here are 10 Top Tips to help you possibly reduce your tax and accountants bill.
When is a hobby actually a business? What you think and what the taxman thinks might be quite different. Read on...
You might think that selling second-hand items and crafts online is a hobby, but the taxman will class you as a business if it can prove you are doing “anything in the nature of trade”.
Keeping an eye on employee expenses can vastly improve the company bottom line
Business owners know they need to maintain a mobile workforce. But at the same time, “out of sight” needn’t mean “out of mind” as a new generation of payments services are using data to enable employers to keep tabs on those on the road.
RTI and Micro Businesses. You can now be fined for late submissions
HMRC has updated its guidance on what happens when employers fail to report their business’s payroll information on time. Here’s what you need to know:
Seven ways the cloud can help you manage your business
If you’re a start-up, making use of the cloud can be a no brainer, but for more established businesses, the advantages of heading off-site may be harder to quantify.
Owing Property personally or through a limited company: what is best?
The majority of investors have tended to own their property portfolio in personal names because it’s beneficial for them to do so when it comes to selling the property.
Funding for your Business R&D. There is funding out there for businesses to help with R&D
There is funding out there for businesses to help with R&D. Below are some of the government run opportunities and this link will give you much more information.
CIS returns must be submitted online from April 2016, sub- contractor verifications to be done online from April 2017 and there are also changes to those who can be paid gross
2016 Employment Law Updates
A useful snapshot of the latest employment updates. The changes to National Living Wage are undoubtedly having an impact on many small businesses.
No Dodges for Contractors
There aren’t any ‘dodges’ for Contractors with the new Finance Bill legislation.
Setting up your contractor company - Limited, Umbrella or PAYE?
This is the first in our series of articles to help Contractors get started and run an efficient company.
Setting up your contractor company - Limited, Umbrella or PAYE?
Setting up your Company
Travel and Subsistence Legislation Update
The long awaited travel and subsistence legislation has finally been published in full in the Finance Bill 2016.
Bereavement Pay and Leave
It’s always a difficult time when someone passes away and as a good employer, you want to do the ‘right thing’. But there is still the smooth running of your business to consider, especially for smaller companies.
Illegal Workers could cost you £20K each
With the summer months just around the corner, many small businesses may well be looking to augment staff with temporary employees and there is a good chance they may come from overseas. But how robust are your pre-employment checks to ensure you don’t employ and illegal immigrant? And how can you avoid being accused of racism at the same time.
Trading Losses not always a disaster
If you are coming to the end of your business financial year and it looks like you have made a loss, there are options that you and your accountant should look at to minimise the impact
Zero Hour Contracts avoid getting caught out
The hospitality industry is one of the most prolific users of Zero Hour Contracts. But not all employers are using them correctly.
Minimum Wage - the clock is ticking
The Living Wage along with Auto Enrolment, are the legislation changes that are really making a financial impact on employers this year. Yet amazingly there are still business owners that are not preparing for the changes or don’t know anything about them.
Mandatory online filing of CIS returns and verifications
Over 85% of contractors and their authorised agents are already sending their CIS returns online, but from April 2016 everyone will have to use the online service. HMRC will no longer be accepting any paper forms from that date.
10 Worst Tax Deadline Excuses
The ten worst excuses for missing the 31 January Self Assessment deadline for 2013 to 14 according to HMRC.
(We loved these - especially going to Italy for 5 years!)
Apprentices - young 'uns for hire
You be giving thought to taking on an apprentice. Government continue to push apprenticeships and there are a myriad of support mechanisms in your local area to help you. But here is an overview to help you get started.
Annual Investment Allowance - plan ahead
Annual investment allowance (AIA) is a relief that can be claimed on the cost of plant and machinery. Up to 100% of the costs can be claimed to help reduce the potential tax liability for that business
R&D Tax Credits still alive and paying out
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement made no changes at all with regard to R&D Tax Credits. Some had speculated that the relief might be reduced significantly
Tips, Gratuities and Tax
Here’s a very interesting point about tips and how to handle them. The way the tips are treated will depend on who receives them and who distributes them.
Christmas Gifts and Staff
If you decide to give your employees a cash bonus, this will be treated as taxable income and subject to tax and national insurance the same as other earnings.
Tax: a Sign of Success?
Remember you can only build wealth from ‘after tax’ income. A big payment to HMRC is not failure to hide the money; it’s a clear indicator of success....
The Scottish rate of Income Tax will come into effect from 6 April 2016.
On 2 December 2015, HMRC will start to contact customers living in Scotland where records show that this is their main address, to inform them they have been identified as being a Scottish taxpayer.
What you need to know.........
A Guide to Cloud Accounting
Cloud Accounting is clearly the way to go now for small businesses with the growth of good connectivity. Indeed, we would recommend new start businesses look at Cloud Accounting right from the start.
Book-keeping basics..... NOT top secret
Few people start a business so they can do paperwork. Spending time adding up receipts or pushing invoices around a desk is nobody’s idea of fun – unless you’re a book-keeper or accountant.
Auto Enrolment at a glance
If you simply need to familiarise yourself with automatic enrolment here is a brief outline
What is automatic enrolment?
In an effort to encourage more people to save for their retirement, the Government has introduced new rules which require employers, and most employees, to save into a pension scheme.
How to improve your company credit rating
If you are applying for funding from any sources – see our article on Funding Sources – it's vitally important that your credit rating is as good as possible and here are our tips to help.
Sources of Funding
In a recent article we talked about improving cashflow and feedback has been positive. But what if you need a cash injection into your business – for a variety of reasons? Gone are the days when it was a straightforward trip to the Bank Manager. Indeed SMEs are still finding it difficult to get the necessary finance to grow or support their businesses.
13 sure fire tips to improve your cashflow
It's a much overused cliché but cash really is king when you are running a small business. It does not matter how much money is coming into the business in the future if you don't have enough to keep you going. You have your own suppliers to pay, staff who expect wages every month, rent to pay and so on. Here are 13 sure fire ways to improve your cashflow:
What do you think is the important component of a client relationship? Is it:
- Regular communication?
- Sharing the same values?
- Having a strong personal connection?
We think these are all very important but we believe that the top component is TRUST.....
Choosing the right accountant - 7 Top Tips
Choosing the right accountant when starting in business, or indeed, when you realise it’s time to move on can be a daunting task....
7 Top Tax Breaks for Small Business
Many small businesses are failing to take advantage of the tax breaks that could provide enormous financial benefit to their business. In fact, a recent report suggests that a third are still unaware of the breaks available to apply for...
All Priory Clients are entered into our brand new annual Prize Draw. A welcome gift for you just at the time of year when you might need it most.
Buy to Let - Profit or Loss?
George Osborne wiped nearly 11pc off the gross returns from buy-to-let properties, leaving many landlords facing the prospect of an annual loss, when he slashed higher-rate relief on mortgages in the Budget.
Crackdown on Contract Workers
Contract workers and freelancers who set up companies to cut tax bills could be forced to justify their tax arrangements to their employers, thanks to a proposed new crackdown.
5 Top Tips when growing your business
Summer for many means holidays and time off to relax with family and friends. It’s also a time to ‘clear the head’ and start thinking about the business for the coming months.
Increase prices, increase profits - understand the effect of raising and lowering prices on profitability
How did you decide on your current pricing? Did you conduct market research to understand what prospects would pay? Or did you compare yourself to your competitors and base your price on that? Or was it a random shot in the dark? These are the ways most people do it, and they are all wrong. Because the price you set for your products and services is more important than you think.
Top Tips for Business Owners on holiday
If you plan to switch off completely – that means not even thinking about your business, then read no further and have a fabulous holiday. But did you know that 75% of business owners still beaver away during vacation time.
Home workers and getting the tax returns right
If you work from home you are entitled to include part of the running costs of your home in your accounts, which will save you some tax. This is of course, good but how do you calculate the right amounts. There are two potential methods for calculating this.
7 Top Questions to ask BEFORE you recruit a consultant
Top Questions to ask Consultancy or Coaching business before starting work with them
10 Top Reasons to Work from Home
Working from home is incredibly convenient. If you’re starting your business, it’s also the place you have already. It’s easy to start your business at home. Of course you need some space and there may be distractions, but there are lots of good reasons for working from home.
Are you a Landlord?
HMRC have now clarified that the Let Property Campaign is not coming to an end and will remain in place until further notice. The campaign allows landlords with undeclared rental income an opportunity to come forward with minimal penalties and set their record right.
Digital Services and the New VAT Rules
A good rule intended to clamp down on the internet giants such as Amazon has consequences for SMEs that were possibly not anticipated.
HMRC taking it anyway
Accelerated payments were introduced by the Government in the Finance Act 2014.
Top Tips for Business Travellers
At Priory Accounting, we look after the accounting needs for many Consultants – indeed it is one of our areas of specialist expertise.
Priory Accounting is growing
We're now in Fife and Edinburgh and welcome our newest associate, George Lewis.
George is based at our new branch office in West Granton, Edinburgh and brings over 26 years of experience as an Accountant. 2015 certainly looks to be an exciting year for Priory Accounting but you can be sure that the one thing we won’t be losing sight of is the fact that almost 100% of our clients are still delighted with our services.
Renovating for Profit
Relief from capital gains tax on selling of the main residence has attracted a lot of HMRC attention in recent years
Late Payment Penalties
As the Self Assessment deadline has now passed; HMRC will begin to start issuing penalty notices to those clients who did not meet the legal requirement to file their returns on time
Creative Industries
“I don’t want distracted from my work and knowing Roddy and team are there covering my back allows me to get on with the work”
Some of our favourite clients work in the Creative Industries sector. Their feedback shows that what they value most is reliability when it comes to professional services.
Top Tips when claiming VAT back
If you find all the different VAT rates to consider a maze Roddy is here to guide you through.
Keep the Receipts
Our simple top tips to help you manage all those very important scraps of paper - especially when you're busy.
Don't be Last Minute.Com
Don’t leave it till the last minute to get your tax returns done.
If you are going to be due a payment to HMRC it makes sense to prepare your returns in good time so you can budget and manage your cash flow.
