24 Jun 2020
With millions of UK workers having to work from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, many have had to purchase equipment and furniture to ensure they can perform their job successfully. Here, we consider how employees can claim the homeworking allowance, and analyse the temporary tax exemption for home office expenses.
15 May 2020
The government recently outlined its plans for how the UK will exit the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. On 10 May, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a relaxing of certain lockdown restrictions, and the government published a 50-page guidance document. Here, we consider the guidance, and contemplate how businesses can prepare their workforces to restart operations once the COVID-19 lockdown ends.
30 Jan 2020
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, will deliver the 2020 Budget on Wednesday 11 March. With this in mind, here we consider some of the measures that may be announced.
20 Dec 2019
Financial wellbeing rarely receives the same attention as mental or physical wellbeing, yet it is a vital part of any wellbeing programme. Money is a concern for plenty of people, and many employees will struggle with their finances due to issues such as personal debt, demanding financial commitments or the limited time and ability to save for the future. In the final installment of our three blogs looking at the key aspects of wellbeing, we focus on the financial side of the issue.
12 Nov 2019
We are constantly being reminded of the importance of physical wellbeing, with media messages and government campaigns combining to reinforce the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Despite these positive messages, around 20 million people in the UK are deemed physically inactive. In the second of our series of three blogs looking at the key aspects of wellbeing, we focus on the physical.
27 Sep 2019
The concept of wellbeing in the workplace is often neglected, yet it is vital to both the health of employees as well as the businesses they work in. Wellbeing is relevant to everyone in a business, whatever their job title and responsibilities.
26 Jul 2019
Hackers and scammers are always looking for plausible online identities to use so they can dupe their victims and posing as HMRC has proved to be one of their most popular ploys in recent years. Here we look at some of the most common scams, as well as how you can protect your own firm and your clients from hackers.
10 Jun 2019
Following the announcement made in the 2018 Autumn Budget, HMRC has now published the draft secondary Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA) legislation. Here, we take a look at which costs are allowable.
4 Mar 2019
From 1 April 2019, probate fees are set to increase significantly. Here, we take a look at the changes, and consider the reaction to the rise.
18 Dec 2018
Foreign investors looking to purchase residential properties in the UK may have to pay an additional 1% stamp duty surcharge, according to a recent announcement by the government. Meanwhile, the Autumn Budget also introduced an extension to first-time buyers relief in England and Northern Ireland. This blog post examines the latest situation in regard to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
21 Sep 2018
The UK is scheduled to leave the European Union (EU) at 11pm on Friday 29 March 2019. In the meantime, negotiations continue to take place between the EU and Britain in order to reach an agreement over issues affecting businesses and individuals.
9 Aug 2018
Data, alongside the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), is the new industrial revolution that is taking over the marketplace. Millions of us use the internet and technology on a daily basis, meaning that access to data is readily available. However, ensuring that data is relevant and useful is the new challenge.
30 June 2018
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way accountancy practices run and the services that they are able to offer.
31 May 2018
HMRC recently announced that it will be delaying some aspects of Making Tax Digital (MTD), while it reallocates officers and government departments to help in preparing the UK for Brexit. Here, we take a look at some of the new services that have been put on hold.
30 April 2018
Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD for VAT) is set to take effect from 1 April 2019. The government recently published long-awaited legislation, in which it outlined the requirements for the initiative.
29 March 2018
In the 2016 Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the introduction of a new Budget timetable. Up until recently, there were two fiscal events in the year, with changes in tax and spending announced at both the Spring Budget and the Autumn Statement.
27 Feb 2018
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into effect on 25 May 2018, which is only a few months away! A lack of knowledge will not be deemed an acceptable excuse for not having safeguards in place.
23 Jan 2018
Building brand awareness for your firm may help to boost your sales, and potentially your profitability. In this blog piece, we explore some of the ways in which you can effectively market your firm.
8 Jan 2018
We are delighted to announce that the winner of our luxury hamper is R A Clement Associates. Congratulations from the Practice Track team – we hope you enjoy your prize!
18 Dec 2017
The Scottish government recently outlined a series of changes to its tax policy within its Draft Budget 2018-19. Amongst these amendments were changes to income tax rates and bands, and the creation of a new relief for first-time homebuyers. Here, we analyse the alterations made by the Scottish government, and consider them in the wider context of devolution in the UK.
27 Nov 2017
The Criminal Finances Act 2017 came into effect on 30 September 2017, making companies and partnerships criminally liable for failing to prevent their employees from facilitating tax evasion. Here, we outline the key points for accountants and financial advisers to consider to ensure that clients’ businesses avoid the facilitation of tax evasion.
31 Oct 2017
As the Chancellor’s first Autumn Budget edges closer, industry experts have speculated on the measures that could be announced by Mr Hammond. Here, we take a look at some of the key Budget rumours, and outline some of the proposals made by leading business groups in their Autumn Budget wishlists.
29 Sep 2017
The much-anticipated Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT draft legislation was published by the government recently, helping to clarify VAT-related MTD issues and queries.
31 Aug 2017
Understanding the needs and requirements of your clients is crucial. However, accountants should consider offering their customers more than just the basics: going above and beyond to provide a truly unique service will help to cement working relationships with your clients, and demonstrate that you are on hand to offer advice and support whenever it is needed.
31 Jul 2017
Following months of uncertainty over Making Tax Digital (MTD), many in the accountancy profession will welcome the government’s announcement that the start date for MTD for Businesses (MTDfB) has, perhaps inevitably, been pushed back.
30 June 2017
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into effect on 25 May 2018, will impose new obligations on all organisations that collect, store and process individuals’ personal information.
26 May 2017
In light of the recent cyber ransomware attack, practices should ensure that their digital systems are adequately protected against the risk of destructive cyber-attacks and malware.
28 Apr 2017
The UK’s landmark decision to leave the European Union sent something of a shockwave through the country, and with the announcement of a snap general election, the current climate of uncertainty looks set to continue.
31 March 2017
From 6 April 2017, a new charge will apply to some employers – the Apprenticeship Levy. Although many employers will not pay the Levy, there will be significant changes to the taxpayer funding of apprenticeships for all employers. The changes are being introduced as the government wants to encourage the creation of three million apprenticeships in England by 2020.
21 February 2017
Recent months have seen significant changes to the UK tax landscape, with some measures having already come into effect, and Scottish tax devolution already fairly advanced.
As the devolutionary drive continues to gather pace, the tax system is set for further landmark changes over the coming months and years.
06 February 2017
In April 2015, search engine giant Google rolled out a landmark change to its search algorithm, meaning that quality, mobile-responsive websites are now placed at a significant advantage over non ‘mobile-friendly’ sites, when people search the internet.
23 January 2017
Marketing is a vital part of your business strategy. Your marketing plans should be regularly reviewed to ensure your brand is being represented in the best possible way. Even if you are not currently actively looking for new clients, you can work on marketing strategies focused on improving your reputation, increasing your offering for current clients, relationship building, and making sure your company is being appropriately represented in the digital age.
03 January 2017
The announcement of ‘anti-avoidance’ measures for the VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) to tackle abuse could create complexity for some businesses, or for you as their agent.