The period April – June 2013 has seen positive economic growth for the second quarter. The economy expanded by 0.7%. Hopes of rebalancing the economy towards trade and investment were given a boost by an impressive 3.6% increase in exports in the same period. However, the good news may too good for the Bank of […]
22
Aug
Aug
Until relatively recently, blogging was often perceived as an online diary for individuals to share their opinions and personal experiences. However, a blog today can be a powerful marketing tool. Whether you want to create web traffic, grow your online community, build relationships with customers, position yourself or your company as an expert or ‘soft-sell’ […]
21
Aug
Aug
HMRC closed their consultation on the proposed changes to the taxation of partnerships and LLPs on 9th August. Any subsequent changes will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2014, and be effective from 6 April 2014. Two possible changes are worth highlighting. 1. Disguised employment HMRC aim to create a new concept for LLPs, a salaried […]
19
Aug
Aug
Online betting companies that have based their operations in offshore tax jurisdictions, to avoid Britain's gambling taxes, will be hit with a new levy to be introduced from December 2014. It is estimated that the new tax may raise £300m for the UK taxpayer. The Government is to impose a 15% tax on operators in […]
15
Aug
Aug
Motivating employees towards success is one essential ingredient in maintaining a vigorous, cost-effective, serviceable and productive business. One of the toughest challenges faced by business managers in today’s difficult market is maintaining employee motivation over the long term. Reward One way to motivate your team is through rewards and incentives, given with the intention of […]
15
Aug
Aug
The Office for Tax Simplification has published a new list of tax issues for review. They include: • Increasing the present £8,500 limit, below which employees (not directors) do not suffer benefit in kind charges. This limit was introduced in 1979 and was apparently based on the amount at which a married man started to pay […]
12
Aug
Aug
Ten new tax defaulters have been added to HMRC’s rogues’ gallery. This follows the publication of twenty tax offenders’ details last year. So far only one of the original twenty has been caught. HMRC has statutory authority to “name and shame” taxpayers who they consider to be deliberate tax defaulters. Generally speaking these are persons […]
07
Aug
Aug
In a recent case heard by the Upper Tribunal, Interfish Ltd were denied tax relief for sponsorship payments made to a local rugby club, Plymouth Albion. The sponsorship payments were significant; over £1.2m over a number of years. The payments were used to fund the purchase of players as well as propping up the club’s […]
05
Aug
Aug
In March 2012 George Osborne and his Treasury advisors took a risk. They announced that on 6 April 2013 they would be reducing the additional rate of income tax from 50% to 45%. The Treasury was criticised at the time because the expected tax take from higher income earners was expected to fall in line […]