You are about to take on some temporary workers over the next couple of months. But what do you need to do to ensure that the tax and NI bill is kept to a minimum? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson takes a closer look. When HMRC introduced real time information reporting for payroll data, the...

HMRC has issued new guidance to employers about the tax and NI which is payable on tips. It explains the position when customers choose to tip electronically. The most common form of electronic tipping is already explained in the existing E24 guidance. Where customers pay by card, Apple Pay and so on, and add a...

Several of your employees have been affected by the recent NI rate increase. As their employer, they have asked if there is anything that you can do to increase their pay packages. Could salary sacrifice be an unexpected solution? Brona MacDougall provides the answer. The tax advantages of some salary sacrifice schemes for employees, for...

During routine checks, HMRC looks for mistakes which businesses commonly make. One such area is the VAT treatment of travel expenses. What should you check to ensure your VAT returns are correct? One error often made by businesses that provide professional services involves passing on their employees’ travel expenses to their customers. The following example...

As of 6 April 2024 most self employed traders and private landlords will be required to comply with HMRC’s new MTD for ITSA rules. Who is required to comply? All individuals who are subject to income tax on the profits of a trade, profession, vocation or property business who have a total turnover from all...

The UK government has recently run a public consultation on a potential new Online Sales Tax. The consultation period ran from February 2022 to 20 May 2022. The results are currently under review. COVID has had a big impact on how we shop, work and generally interact, but even before COVID the retail sector in...

You are planning improvements to your business premises; you will be using individual contractors for the work as they provided you with the best quotes. However, none of them is VAT registered which could mean you paying hidden VAT. Why and how can you reclaim it? Elaine Wight advises. With inflation rising, everyone is keen...

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...