EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION

October 1^st saw the introduction of  3 new pieces of Employment Legislation

Details are available through CIPD at:

http://www.cipd.co.uk

CHARITY ANNUAL RETURNS

The Charity Commission has published its analysis on annual returns consultation.

Coming out of the consultation will be additional questions and published responses including

·    Whether Trustees are remunerated in any way

·    Whether a charity is a member of the Fundraising Standards Board

·    Use of free text boxes to explain aims for the period and achievements

Full details at :    http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk

HMRC ANNOUNCE LATEST TARGETS

H M Revenue & Customs have recently announced the next batch of criteria which they will target for enquiry.

In the Midlands area they will be looking closely at any individuals with offshore accounts, any taxpayer who upon simple viewing appears to be living beyond their means and anyone dealing in second hand vehicles.

We understand that the last sector will be dealt with under the “Missing Trader” legislation and relates principally to individuals offering vehicles for sale at the roadside and not declaring the income as a trade.

If you are at all concerned with this or feel that you need advice on voluntary disclosure of income please contact us.

NEWSLETTER 72

Headlines from our latest newsletter.  Please click on any of the links below for more information :

ADVISORY FUEL RATES FOR COMPANY CARS

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 September 2013.

DATA PAYMENT CRACKDOWN

HMRC have announced that for the first time they now have access to information on all credit and debit card payments to UK businesses.

HMRC CHASE THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED RTI DEADLINES

HMRC are writing to the 167,000 employers who have missed one or more of the deadlines for reporting their PAYE information in real time.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT CRITICISED BY NAO

The implementation of the Government's welfare reform programme, Universal Credit, has been criticised in a report by the National Audit Office (NAO).

HSE GUIDANCE ON NEW FIRST AID TRAINING RULES

The Health and Safety Executive has issued guidance to help employers assess their first aid training needs and comply with amendments to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations.

RTI ISSUE AFFECTING STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS

HMRC would like employers to be aware that they have identified an issue with some employees who have student loans.

HMRC ISSUE GUIDANCE ON THE STATUTORY RESIDENCE TEST

HMRC have issued some updated guidance on the Statutory Residence Test which took effect from 6 April 2013.

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

National Minimum Wage rates increases come into effect on
1 October 2013.

DEADLINE FOR ‘PAPER’ SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURNS

For those individuals who have previously submitted ‘paper’ self assessment tax returns the deadline for the 2012/13 return is
31 October 2013.

LATEST JOB FIGURES

According to the latest information published by the ONS, employment rose by 80,000 and unemployment fell by 24,000 in the three months to July.

NEWSLETTER 71

Headlines from last month's newsletter.  Please click on any of the links below for more information :

PARENTS WITH HIGHER INCOMES MUST REGISTER FOR SELF ASSESSMENT

HMRC are reminding parents with higher incomes who continued to receive Child Benefit after January 2013 that they must register for Self Assessment by 5 October 2013 to avoid any penalties in relation to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

PAYE RTI AND ANNUAL SCHEMES

HMRC are advising that they have now fixed the issue with Annual PAYE schemes.

PENSION ‘LIBERATION’

The ICAEW have issued a warning that individuals are being approached by firms offering to help them ‘unlock’ their pensions or access them early.

CONSULTATION ON TAX-FREE CHILDCARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Earlier this year the government announced that it plans to introduce a new childcare scheme for working families.

HMRC’S MOST WANTED TAX FUGITIVES

HMRC has published an updated list of their most wanted ‘tax fugitives’ and announced that a ‘fraudster’ has been apprehended at Heathrow Airport whilst travelling on a false passport, following almost ten years on the run.

A MILLION ZERO HOUR CONTRACTS

New research suggests that the number of workers on zero hour contracts, with no guarantee of hours or pay, are becoming more widespread.

HMRC INTRODUCE NEW SAFEGUARDS FOR DEBT COLLECTION VISITS

HMRC have introduced a Field Force Verification Helpline, so that taxpayers can easily check whether or not a caller on their doorstep claiming to be from HMRC is genuine.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY COMPANY REACHES THE END OF ITS USEFUL LIFE?

We asked John Rimmer at BRI Business Recovery & Insolvency, who are regulated to deal with that area of business closures, for his thoughts.