Author Archives: Susan

Experts highlight ‘serious flaws’ in child benefit changes Government plans to reduce child benefit for families where an individual earns more than £50,000 have come under fire from a leading accountancy body. Child benefit is currently paid to all families …

Revenue unveils new tests to determine employment status HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released a series of tests which are designed to help determine the employment status of workers. The IR35 legislation is intended to prevent individuals from using …

Business groups voice concerns over Queen’s Speech Business groups have expressed concerns over the recent Queen’s Speech, with many arguing that the measures do not go far enough to boost economic growth. Opening the new parliament, the Queen said the …

Cash machines set to encourage charitable giving Individuals will soon be able to make charitable donations when using a cash machine, under new plans to encourage philanthropic giving. From this summer it will be possible to donate between £1 and …

Business group calls on banks to ‘help drive SME exports’ The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is urging banks to help drive the SME export market, by relaxing the lending criteria for small firms considering overseas operations. The call follows …

Small employers ‘could face problems’ implementing Real Time Information A number of organisations have warned that small businesses could struggle to implement the new filing requirements under Real Time Information (RTI), due to poor internet access or a lack of …

‘Four million taxpayers’ set to pay top rates More than four million taxpayers will pay tax at the highest rates this financial year, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has predicted. According to HMRC, 3.8 million people will pay income tax …

Landmark court ruling ‘supports forced retirement’ A recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court has suggested that employers can force workers who have reached the statutory retirement age to retire on a number of ‘legitimate grounds’, such as ensuring the …

Revenue sends 12,000 penalty notices in error Around 12,000 taxpayers have been sent penalty notice letters by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in error, warning them of the new £10 daily fines for failing to file their self assessment tax returns. However, …

Businesses urged to avoid ‘misleading’ trading names The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued guidance for businesses regarding their choice of trading name, with the aim of preventing firms from choosing names which could mislead customers about their commercial …