We may have entered a new year, but with the start of a third national lockdown, for many businesses, nothing has changed. Although not confirmed, the new lockdown is likely to last until spring, which is worrying many business owners. Fortunately, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the government will provide much-needed funding for those… Read more…

HMRC is advising the self employed that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has been extended. Taxpayers who were not eligible for the first and second grant will not be eligible for the third. To make a claim for the third grant the taxpayer’s business must have had a new or continuing impact from coronavirus… Read more…

Action Fraud has warned the public to remain vigilant when making festive charitable donations as the number of scams rises. Figures published by Action Fraud showed that £350,000 in charitable donations ended up with criminals over the festive period in 2019. It warned that fraudsters often set up fake charities or impersonate well known charitable… Read more…

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has warned the government that a rise in CGT would affect Britain’s entrepreneurial spirit. The business group believes CGT could be targeted by the Treasury and increased in order to help put public finances back on a stable footing following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tej Parikh, Chief Economist at the… Read more…

The deadline for submitting your 2019/20 self assessment return is 31 January 2021. The deadline applies to taxpayers who need to complete a tax return and make direct payments to HMRC in respect of their income tax, Classes 2 and 4 National Insurance Contributions (NIC), capital gains tax and High Income Child Benefit Charge liabilities.… Read more…

HMRC and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have launched a new joint enforcement notice to cut out misleading marketing by promoters of tax avoidance schemes. The joint enforcement notice aims to disrupt the activity of promoters and protect individuals from being presented with misleading adverts which may tempt them into tax avoidance. The enforcement notice… Read more…

HMRC has issued some guidance to taxpayers that deferred their VAT payments between 20 March and 30 June 2020 and still have payments to make. HMRC is advising taxpayers who deferred their VAT payments to: pay the deferred VAT in full on or before 31 March 2021 or opt in to the VAT deferral new… Read more…

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) until the end of April 2021. Businesses adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) can make use of the CJRS until the end of April, with the government continuing to pay 80% of employees’ salaries for hours not worked. Employers will only be required to… Read more…

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new £4.6 billion package of grants to support businesses through the latest national lockdown. UK businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to be given one-off grants worth up to £9,000. The payments are expected to support 600,000 business properties across the UK. A further £594 million… Read more…

The emphasis placed on making a good first impression may seem cliche at this point, but it’s reiterated for a reason. People make snap judgements within the first few seconds of meeting someone new, and these judgements have a tendency to influence future interactions. When you add the idea of business and making first impressions… Read more…