Spring budget 2017 Whilst the budget was relatively uneventful, there have been some controversial changes aimed at the self-employed and small business owners. However, the main point of controversy, the rise in Class 4 National Insurance Contributions has now been reversed. The key points are as follows:Self Employed National InsuranceThe budget initially outlined an [...]
Limited cost traders - Flat rate scheme Summary From April 2017, a new Flat Rate Scheme category is being introduced called “limited cost trader”. Any business that spends less than 2% of their turnover or < £1,000 a year on “goods” will fall into this category and will use a [...]
Making Enterprise Social - gaining success without losing your principles We are very excited to announce that on the 23 February we will be hosting a 373 Group event at our offices in Honiton. The 373 Group is a networking group that looks to bring together like minded businesses across the South West to [...]
Quarterly tax returns – You're kidding right? In winter 2015 the government announced it’s ‘Making tax digital – roadmap’ promising to transform HMRC into “One of the most digitally-advanced tax administrations in the world”. The business community reacted somewhat dubiously to this news. It seems unbelievable that an organisation that still prefers to [...]
National minimum wage rise for under 25s National Minimum Wage - How it can affect your business With the introduction of the National Living Wage in April 2016 for workers aged 25 and over, calls from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) for the Government to reevaluate the pay rates for the minimum [...]
Xero V Sage 50: Which accountancy software should you go for? We might live and breathe accountancy, but we know record keeping isn’t exactly top of most people’s to do list. Thankfully, gone are the days when you had to rely on complicated accountancy software, or manually fill in a spreadsheet. These days you [...]
Why hire an apprentice? Apprenticeships are a hot topic at the moment. With the Government’s long-term commitment to have 3 million apprentices in work places by 2020, the opportunity to strengthen and build your business has never been better. So, what does it mean for your business? With more than 2 million apprentices [...]
Landlords hit hard in 2016 budget When the 2016 Budget came out it was clear to see that the chancellor was on the warpath against landlords. In a two-pronged attack the budget imposes a higher rate of stamp duty on second home owners, as well as limiting tax relief on mortgage interest. As [...]
Budget 2016 - Small Business comes out on top Small Business rates cut! The big headline announcement in this years budget is the cut to business rates by the extension of the small business rates relief scheme. Currently the scheme means that all properties with a rateable value of < £6,000 don't pay [...]
Don't stick your head in the sand! The Pensions Regulator, is adopting a heavy handed approach, to ensure compliance with pensions auto enrolment by small businesses. In the three months to December 2015 a total of 1,013 fixed fines were issued, bringing the total up to 1,549 since the beginning of auto enrolment in [...]
