Umar Memon
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Corporation tax still too high
The CBI has welcomed the Government’s pledge to introduce a phased reduction in corporation tax to just 24 per cent but wants to see more done to ease the tax burden on businesses, large and small. In its submission to… Read more Corporation tax still too high
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Help for small firms chasing public contracts
Government spending might be on the slide, but public sector contracts still represent a huge amount of potential business each year. The only problem is that many smaller firms simply get snowed under (or put off applying completely) by the… Read more Help for small firms chasing public contracts
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Sickness absence system to undergo a health check
The Government has announced that the current employee sickness absence system is to be the subject of a detailed review. The main remit of the review will be to examine how the system can be reformed so that more people… Read more Sickness absence system to undergo a health check
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Delay to new time to train rules gets a welcome
One of the continuing complaints of British firms is the level of red tape they face, and the time and resources that complying with the rules take up. There has, however, been some good news on the employment law front.… Read more Delay to new time to train rules gets a welcome
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Guidance on the new pension saving rules
HMRC has issued new guidelines on the recent changes to the tax relief available on pensions. As part of the changes, the annual allowance for tax relief on pensions has been cut from £255,000 to £50,000 for 2011/12. The annual… Read more Guidance on the new pension saving rules
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Warning over cost of new business record checking regime
Plans by HMRC to scrutinise the record keeping of smaller firms could prove costly for many enterprises, it has been claimed. In its response to HMRC’s consultation on the proposals, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) said that… Read more Warning over cost of new business record checking regime
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National Insurance Planning
Strictly speaking, national insurance is not a tax at all, but a compulsory insurance premium. In the 100 years since national insurance was first introduced in 1911, it has evolved from the nature of insurance to that of tax. As… Read more National Insurance Planning
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Changes to the unfair dismissal tribunal system
Many firms feel that the employment law regime is weighted against them. So a new government announcement on the way that claims for unfair dismissal are made may come as welcome news. The Government has said that it wants to… Read more Changes to the unfair dismissal tribunal system
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HMRC opens door to general amnesty
HMRC’s new tax guidance to plumbers and gas fitters could open the door to a general amnesty for all UK residents. Plumbers, gas fitters, heating engineers and members of associated trades are being encouraged to sign up to a new… Read more HMRC opens door to general amnesty
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Is HMRC clamping down on time to pay requests?
HMRC refused a growing number of requests to defer business tax payments under the Time to Pay scheme last year. Figures have revealed that HMRC turned down 5.8 per cent of all applications from firms, struggling with cash flow problems,… Read more Is HMRC clamping down on time to pay requests?