Archive for February, 2012

24
Feb
12

Employers reminded to use correct employee details

Hart Shaw is reminding employers of the need to ensure that information they send to HM Revenue and Customs about their employees is correct.

The issue is particularly important as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will start receiving real-time information on claimants’ employment income from October 2013. This means that HMRC will need to ensure that employee records held on the National Insurance and PAYE Service (NPS) system match those held by employers in order to avoid any errors or discrepancies.

Employers should ensure that details such as names, dates of birth and National Insurance numbers are exactly the same wherever they are used, particularly where employees have double-barrelled surnames or are commonly known by a different first name to that on their official records. When submitting any information to HMRC, employers should make sure they are using the correct details for all staff, rather than simply guessing what these might be.

HMRC has previously said that there are large numbers of missing National Insurance numbers and cases where data has simply been ‘made up’, which it will need to look into.

For further information please contact Steve Vickers, Tax Partner on T: 0114 251 8850 or email: steve.vickers@hartshaw.co.uk.

Hart Shaw Taxation

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17
Feb
12

Money Matters – Spring 2012 newsletter from Hart Shaw

The Spring 2012 edition of Hart Shaw’s Money Matters newsletter is now available to download from our website via: http://www.hartshaw.co.uk/newsletters.htm.

Hart Shaw Money Matters - Spring 2012

As now is an ideal time to turn your mind to a review of your personal and business tax strategies, this issue includes a special four-page supplement devoted to year end tax planning tips.

In April 2010 HMRC introduced new style penalties for late payments of PAYE and CIS payments, whereby the penalties increase each time you default. Our cover article highlights the need to have a reasonable excuse if you are late paying! On the flip side, HMRC continue to offer ‘Time to Pay Arrangements’ for individuals and businesses which meet the conditions and our summary will tell you more.

HMRC are in the spotlight in this edition of our newsletter as we also include articles on P11D pitfalls and the common areas that HMRC will focus on, and also their collaboration with the Swiss authorities. Swiss bank account holders beware!

Companies which have associates may have to pay higher rates of corporation tax due to the limits being split between the companies. If you or your family members have an interest in more than one company, our article will help to clarify the rules to determine if the companies are associated.

‘A game of location’ looks at Enterprise Zones, the latest Government initiative to drive growth and create jobs. Whilst there are conditions that need to be met, it may be of interest to know more, regardless of where you are based. It is important that business owners also understand the tax rules surrounding sponsorship so we have included a review that looks at the tax position.

Planned changes to tax credits continue to be a hot topic. To help you understand the latest position and to see if you or your family will be affected, we have written a summary on the planned changes.

Included with the newsletter you will find special briefing where we look in more detail at:

Employer update
An overview of recent developments and topical issues

Every year there is more red tape for employers to comply with. We have produced this briefing to provide employers with a practical summary of recent and forthcoming changes. The focus is on the key areas that may have an impact on your business and any associated costs you need to be aware of including the progress on the introduction of pensions auto-enrolment.

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)

In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that a new relief is to be introduced from 6 April 2012 – the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).

The aim of SEIS is to encourage individuals to invest in small companies by providing income and capital gains tax (CGT) incentives. Two key incentives on offer are the possibility of up to 50% income tax relief on a qualifying investment and the availability of a CGT exemption.

This briefing provides a useful summary of the proposals, in particular, how the scheme will operate and the key qualifying conditions that have to be met to obtain the reliefs available. It considers the key questions that need to be considered if you feel you would like to take advantage of the scheme.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding any of the articles or tax planning tips we have included in our newsletter or if you would like further information on a topic we haven’t covered. Your views are always important to us and we would welcome any feedback you could give us.

Brendan Hall, Marketing Co-ordinator

Email: brendan.hall@hartshaw.co.uk.

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03
Feb
12

Employment law and online filing: Is your business ready for the new tax year?

A FREE joint seminar with business experts Hart Shaw and Banner Jones Solicitors.

Do you engage people on a self-employed basis? Are you self-employed but generally do work for a single or a small number of clients or customers? Are you sure about yours and your contractors’ tax status? Will HMRC regard them or you as employees? If so what are the consequences?

Problems often arise in this complicated area of tax and employment law and getting it wrong can have costly consequences. A person’s status can be different depending on whether it is considered from an employment law or tax point of view.

With new laws being introduced affecting all businesses in 2012, it is essential that your business is fully prepared in the lead up to the new tax year.

This seminar highlights the key areas your business needs to be aware of and the risks involved when engaging people in your business. Topics for discussion include:

  • Employment V’s Self Employment
  • Personal service companies and ‘IR35’
  • Current issues and dealing with HMRC
  • Payroll commons errors and mistakes
  • Redundancy procedures
  • Redundancy compensation payments
  • Compromise agreements
  • Agency workers and the new rules

Join Adrian Dunkley, Tax Manager at Hart Shaw and Trevor Hughes, Head of Employment Law at Banner Jones over breakfast at Hart Shaw’s offices for a seminar that provides a crucial insight into the benefits and risks of online filing and the different types of employment status.

The details are:

  • Date: Wednesday 29th February 2012
  • Time: 8:00am for tea, coffee and breakfast sandwiches, 8:30am start and 9:30am finish with Q&A and optional networking until 10:00am
  • Venue: Hart Shaw Building, Europa Link, Sheffield Business Park, Sheffield, S91XU

The seminar is FREE to attend and you are very welcome to bring a guest or a colleague.

To confirm your attendance please contact Brendan Hall at Hart Shaw on T: 0114 251 8872 or email: brendan.hall@hartshaw.co.uk. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Hart Shaw events

Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants & Business AdvisersBanner Jones Solicitors

01
Feb
12

Re-vamped website for Hart Shaw

Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants & Business AdvisersHart Shaw has undertaken a significant round of changes to improve our website, which can be viewed at www.hartshaw.co.uk.

On here you will find updated content and resources along with better navigation for ease of use.

Please take a look and tell us what you think!

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