I was going to start this article with a joke about the ‘trickle-down’ economy, but 99% of people wouldn’t get it…… Trickle down economics was known in the latter part of the nineteenth century as ‘horse and sparrow economics’. The theory being that if you fed the horse enough oats, some will pass through to...

Next quarterly or monthly VAT return must be filed using MTD-compatible software From Tuesday 1 November 2022, businesses will no longer be able to use their existing VAT online account to file their quarterly or monthly VAT returns. Businesses that file annual VAT returns will still be able to use their VAT online account until...

Your father recently died having spent the last two years in care. Last year you sold his home to help pay the nursing home fees. When preparing the inheritance tax forms, are you entitled to claim the residence nil rate band?  Tax Partner Brona MacDougall discusses. The inheritance tax (IHT) residence nil rate band (RNRB)...

Is it possible to move to monthly VAT returns to get the cash in quicker? VAT Technician Elaine Wight explains. If most of your sales are zero-rated, then it’s likely that you usually get a VAT repayment every quarter. But having to wait for that VAT refund after the end of a quarter can cause...

The 2022 Spring Statement increased the NI threshold, however the way this has been done is not straightforward. How does the change affect small company’s profit extraction planning for 2022/23? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson provides detailed advice. The Chancellor committed to this rise on the basis that health and social care needs to be...

With climate change and the cost-of-living crisis high on everyone’s agenda, is this a good time to look at an electric company car policy? What benefits would such a scheme bring? Brona MacDougall advises. Company cars have fallen out of favour in recent years as tax charges have risen and the optional remuneration arrangement changes...

HMRC recently updated its advisory fuel rates for company cars. However, the new rates don’t even come close to reflecting the current pump prices. Can you pay employees a more realistic rate? Naomi Swan advises. If you provide employees with company cars, you are entitled to pay them a fuel rate to reimburse them for...

Of course all businesses want to keep costs down and having a robust system in place for checking employee expense claims should be part of that regime. But what are the requirements to meet HMRC’s standards? Our Head of Payroll, Joanne Gibson advises. Self-policing expenses policy Generally, HMRC isn’t concerned about the amount that you...

January 2022 Funding has been allocated to support businesses in hospitality and leisure who are impacted by the requirement for physical distancing and capacity limits that came into force from 27 December 2021. The January Business Support Top Up – Hospitality and Leisure Fund will provide financial support to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors...

In April 2020 the contactless payment limit was raised from £30 to £45. To help businesses recover following the pandemic, the limit has now been raised again, this time to £100. Although the change is already effective, banks and firms will need to make the necessary changes to their systems and contactless payment terminal software....