Latest News

New VAT rules for online sales – How will it affect you?

From 1 January 2015 new VAT rules will be introduced which will affect all businesses selling broadcasting, telecommunications and e-services to non-business customers in other EU countries. This article will focus primarily on the e-services changes as these are likely to have the most widespread impact. However, it is still vital to understand how these new rules affect you if you are providing broadcasting or telecommunications services.

A Grand Depart – towards a tax saving opportunity?

In early July great swathes of Yorkshire turned yellow and over 2,500,000 people took to the streets and hills as the Tour De France became Le Tour De Yorkshire and cycling fever gripped God’s Own County.

It gripped me sufficiently to dig my bike out of the back of the garage where it had lain unused for five years. Sadly what I remembered as a gleaming and sleek machine turned out to be a rusty wreck with two flat tyres!

Get paid quicker by Direct Debit from GoCardless

A common issue amongst my clients is the time it takes to receive payment from their customers.  One solution to this is direct debit, for most small businesses this has been an expensive service provided predominately by banks.  New players have come into the market making Direct Debit a more affordable option.

Holiday season – Can the business cope without you?

One of the features of doing business in the modern day is the use of mobile technology such as iphones, Blackberries and Laptops. This gives great flexibility to business owners in dealing with business matters when away from base for a few days, or indeed while on holiday.

This is an important issue – is it now far too easy for an individual to be dragged into business matters when they should be relaxing with the family on holiday?

Ten reasons why you should protect yourself against professional fees in dealing with an HMRC enquiry

In a world where HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) are actively and aggressively seeking to increase their tax yield here are my top ten reasons why you should take advantage of our Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service:

Early but promising days for Patent Box tax relief

Now that the Patent Box has been around for over a year, more and more claims are starting to be prepared as accounting periods end and company accounts start to be prepared.  As much as an adviser can respond to HM Revenue and Customs consultations, read the legislation and speak to companies about their potential claims, actually preparing the claims is the best way to learn about the relief and I have learnt a huge amount in the last few months.

Increased land values – Beware the Capital Gains Tax consequences

A combination of increased land values and changes in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules in recent years means that the amount of tax which Scottish farmers face paying on a disposal of land is vastly increased.

Optimising performance in the family business

The dynamics of the family unit are very different from the dynamics of a business unit. When the two are combined within a family business scenario, with perhaps two or three generations of the same family working in that business, the potential for a range of conflicts is multiplied.

Family businesses face unique and difficult challenges in aligning the aspirations of everyone involved. Keeping all strands of the family happy can directly conflict with making the tough and brave business decisions that non-family businesses can make without fear of a family fall out.

ISAs become New ISAs (NISAs) on 1 July 2014

Understanding exactly what you can save into cash ISAs and Stocks and shares ISAs each tax year has not always been easy, as you could use your full entitlement if saving into a stocks and shares version, but for the Cash ISA you could only invest half the amount.

The March 2014 budget announced that ISAs are being revamped into a simpler product, with equal limits for cash and stocks and shares, plus a substantially increased ISA allowance. If you've already got an ISA (or ISAs), the changes apply to existing accounts too.

Consultation on Trust changes - Third Time Lucky for HMRC?

Almost two years after the first consultation, HMRC have now launched their third consultation into Inheritance tax charges and trusts. Over that time what was originally badged as ‘simplification’ is now being badged as a ‘fairer’ way to calculate Inheritance Tax (IHT) charges on trusts.