As a business which hosts seminars and courses, food and drink is provided as part of this during the day. A tax inspector refused to allow a tax deduction for the cost because he says that it is business entertainment. Is he correct? Income tax, corporation tax and VAT legislation each contain a similar rule...

Can I change my mind about a dividend? Q. In 2019 my company paid me cash adding up to over £25,000. This was charged to my director’s loan account (DLA), and at the company’s year end (31 December 2019) I still owed the money. My accountant says because of this the company will have to...

In April 2020, an important change will be made to the holiday pay reference period which is used to calculate holiday pay entitlement for employees and workers. As an employer, what do you need to know? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson finds out. On 6th April 2020 the holiday pay reference period will be extended...

A local sports club held a Christmas fundraising dinner, the club is non-profit making but they are unsure about how to deal with VAT on the income. Also can the club claim any input tax on the costs of the dinner? John Craig provides the answers. The good news is that the income from the...

VAT on overseas work? Q. I am VAT registered as a window cleaner. I visit my mother in Dublin for one week every two months and do some work while I am there. Do I need to charge VAT on this work or is it not an issue because I am doing the work outside...

Your business has some unpaid purchase invoices in the 90-day+ column of its aged creditors report. Input tax has been claimed on these invoices. Why does this lead to a problem and how could you avoid it in the future? Bob Johnstone from our Galashiels office investigates. If you pay and claim VAT based on...

Mr Brown owns a warehouse that he rents out and the income that he receives is exempt from VAT. He has offered a new tenant a three month rent-free period at the beginning of a new rental agreement. Does this create any VAT problems? Our VAT expert John Craig discusses. Rent-free or not? The first...

When you buy a car, unless you use it 100% for business, you can’t reclaim any of the VAT paid on the purchase. However, more generous rules apply to the cost of motoring expenses such as accessories, repairs and so on. John Craig explains exactly what these rules are and how you can benefit from...

Giving away your wealth to members of your family reduces your estate for inheritance tax purposes, but only after seven years. However, it is possible to achieve the same result without the wait. What steps do you need to take? Inheritance tax expert Brona MacDougall has some valuable advice for you. Any tax expert will...

The JRW team wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The Office’s will be closed from 5pm on Monday 23rd December 2019, opening again after the festive break at 8.30am Monday 6th January 2020.