The rise of the coronavirus and the restrictions that have followed have had a significant effect on businesses, both large and small. Social distancing and quarantine have transformed the way in which customers shop, with many companies falling casualty along the way. We are in uncertain times, but there are ways to improve your chances… Read more…

HMRC has published the latest edition of the Employer Bulletin. This guidance for employers, and their agents, includes articles on: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and what employers need to do from August onwards making sure you are paying the correct workplace pension contributions new laws to ensure furloughed employees receive full statutory redundancy payments the… Read more…

Two self assessment deadlines are approaching: 5th October 2020 For those individuals who have not previously completed a tax return but need to report a liability for 2019/20. 31st October 2020 For those individuals who have previously submitted ‘paper’ self assessment tax returns the deadline for the 2019/20 return is 31 October 2020. Returns submitted… Read more…

The government has announced that more than 64 million meals were enjoyed by diners across the country during the government’s Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme. The scheme closed on 31 August 2020. Government figures show that restaurants had claimed for more than 64 million discounted meals as Eat Out to Help Out entered… Read more…

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which take effect from 1 September 2020. The rates only apply to employees using a company car. The guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply.’ The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on… Read more…

Over £30 million has been lost to pension scams since 2017, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR). A total of £30,857,329 in pension savings has been lost to scammers since 2017, data published by the FCA and the TPR revealed. Reported losses ranged from under £1,000 to as much… Read more…

The fee for plastic shopping bags in England will be doubled to 10 pence and extended to all shops from April 2021. Small retailers, those employing 250 people or fewer, will no longer be exempt, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said. According to Defra, since the charge was first introduced in… Read more…

HMRC are inviting those individuals that are self employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus to claim a second grant under the Self Employed Income Support Grant. Applications for the first grant under the scheme closed on 13 July 2020. The second and final taxable grant is worth… Read more…

On 2 September 2020, the government’s £2 billion Kickstart Scheme opened for employer applications. The scheme is part of the Plan for Jobs announced during Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s July Summer Economic Update. The Kickstart Scheme aims to create work placements for young people who are at risk of becoming unemployed for the long-term. Businesses can… Read more…

When moving into self-employment, many people take the route of working through a limited company, rather than becoming a sole-trader. One of the main reasons for this choice is liability. Sole traders are their own business, and therefore they are personally responsible for any outstanding debts. Limited companies are separate legal entities, and the business… Read more…