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Small Firms Responsible for 80% of Tax Evasion
A growing concern for the government ...

    

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New Sexual Harassment Duty for UK Employers
Draft guidance and steps to take ...

    

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World Suicide Prevention Day 2024
Changing the Narrative ...

    

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How HMRC Utilises Debt Collection Agencies
Recovering unpaid taxes ...

    

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HMRC Scrutinising Home Animal Breeders
It's caused a bit of a stir ...

    

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Royal Mint Turning E-Waste into Gold
A win-win situation ...

    

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Beware of Scammers Claiming To Be From HMRC
Actually, be careful of all scams ...

    

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All About The Marriage Allowance
Different to the Married Couple’s Allowance ...

    

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The Surprising Rise of Pensioners in the Highest Tax Bracket
Thanks to frozen thresholds ...

    

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Get Ready for Simple Assessments
This the future of tax filings ...

    

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A Guide to the Government's Growth Guarantee Scheme
Providing businesses with the support they need ...

    

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Will Interest Rates Fall Again Soon?
Examining the possibilities ...

    

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How to Claim PAYE Repayments as an Employee
No more automatic repayments ...

    

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Budget 2024 Is Scheduled For The 30th Of October
What we can expect ...

    

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How to Change Your VAT Registration Details
Avoiding penalties and delays ...

    

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Uncovering the Surprising Reality of the UK's Tax Gap
It's a very complex issue ...

    

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ICAEW Reports That UK Business Confidence Soars
After a survey of 1,000 chartered accountants ...

    

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British Business Bank Launches the Growth Guarantee Scheme
Welcome to the Recovery Loan Scheme successor ...

    

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How to Avoid Discrimination During Recruitment
A guide for UK employers ...

    

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The Role of the New Occupational Health Taskforce
Tackling in-work sickness ...

    

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The First 100 Days of the New Labour Government
What could it look like?

    

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Rules for Reporting Salary Advances Relaxed
There are some caveats though ...

    

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Labour's Legacy: A Look into the Future
Only time will tell ...

    

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Understanding Dormant Companies
What they are and why they matter ...

    

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Election 2024: What Is Inflation And Why Is It Important?
It's a key economic issue ...

    

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Election 2024: Political Rivals Make Tax Pledges
It's that time again ...

    

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Understanding GDP And How It Impacts The Economy
It's not a perfect measure ...

    

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Navigating The Summer of Sport 2024
HR issues and how you can manage them ...

    

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Voluntary NIC Deadline extended To April 2025
But there may be potential tax implications ...

    

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Election 2024: A Chance to Restore UK Resilience?
We need strong and resilient leadership ...

    

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Use HMRC's Real-Time CGT Service to Report Cryptoasset Gains
Maximize your tax savings ...

    

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The Tax Treatment of Training for Sole Traders
Welcome clarification from HMRC ...

    

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How Unfair Tax Thresholds Impact Almost Everyone
Something needs to change ...

    

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A Decline In Health For Half Of UK Business Owners
The hidden cost of entrepreneurship ...

    

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All About Digital Identity Verification
Will the UK use it soon?

    

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How A Labour Government Could Affect Investors
Both challenges and opportunities ...

    

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UK Inheritance Tax Receipts Reach Record Levels
But exacerbate the housing crisis ...

    

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Record Number of Small Business Startups in 2023
Strength and determination prevail in the UK ...

    

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HMRC Mistakenly Refunds Voluntary NIC Payments
It is working to resolve the issue ...

    

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HMRC Loses Legal Battle About Marshmallows
They're an ingredient, not confectionery ...

    

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A Shocking Increase In Companies House Fees
Coming on the 1st of May 2024 ...

    

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How to Communicate with HMRC
Tips for effective communication ...

    

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Managing Stress in the Workplace
Tips for employers ...

    

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GOV.UK One Login: A New Way To Login To Government Services
It's a bit of a gamechanger ...

    

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High Income Earners Must Re-Register for Child Benefit
Have you passed the threshold?

    

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And So The New Tax Year Begins
Changes, challenges, and possibilities ...

    

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HMRC Stops Paper Notifications for Tax Repayments
Part of its effort to modernise ...

    

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Why Does The Tax Year Start On The 6th Of April?
A logical question with an interesting answer ...

    

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HMRC Spends Huge Sums On Working From Home Equipment
This is a shocking amount ...

    

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Reminder of Flexible Working Changes Coming in April
What employers and employees need to know ...

    

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All About Employer Pension Contributions
Understanding the ins and outs ...

    

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Significant Changes to High Income Child Benefit Charge
How it will affect your family ...

    

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Changes to Statutory Paternity Leave In 2024
What you need to know ...

    

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National Minimum Wage Set to Increase in April
What you need to know ...

    

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Are Walkers Sensations Poppadoms Subject To VAT?
It's the Jaffa Cake saga all over again ...

    

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Get Our Spring Budget 2024 Summary
What did the Chancellor announce?

    

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What I'd Like To See In The Spring Budget 2024
How much headroom does the Chancellor have?

    

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Red Sea Attacks Causing Delays and Cost Increases for UK Businesses
Urgent efforts are needed to find a peaceful resolution ...

    

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Reinforcing the Prevention of Fraud In The UK
Protecting both the economy and individuals ...

    

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Disclosure of Capital Gains Tax Liability on Share Sales
Required by HMRC ...

    

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British ISA: A Solution For Boosting The Country's Economy?
I believe it could happen soon ...

    

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Referral Program Discounts Are Subject To VAT
Failure to charge VAT can lead to penalties ...

    

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HMRC to Fine Over 1 Million for Missing Self-Assessment Deadline
Resulting in potential penalties of £110 million ...

    

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Changes To Accounts Preparation And Filing Requirements
Strengthening transparency and tackling economic crime ...

    

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National Apprenticeship Week 2024
Unlocking skills for life ...

    

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The Mass Return To Office Work in 2024
A look into the future ...

    

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Millions Expected To Miss Self-Assessment Tax Deadline
Is HMRC becoming a drag on the economy?

    

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The Impact of Leap Years on Employment
What employers need to know ...

    

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Inflation Surge Is A Concern For The Economy
Up to 4% since November 2023 ...

    

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Side Hustles Face Tighter Tax Regulations
Time to declare your additional income ...

    

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Despite The Economic Storm Clouds, Will the UK Have a Good 2024?
A need for determination and strategic investment ...

    

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How Is National Insurance Changing?
Calculating how much you'll pay ...

    

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Changes to Human Resources in 2024
Review your policies to ensure compliance ...

    

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HMRC's Latest Tax Debt Strategy
What business owners need to know ...

    

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HMRC's Decision To Close Tax Return Helpline Is Unbelievable
Their customer service is already questionable ...

    

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Small Business Owners Feel They Have Nobody To Confide In
The Business Godparent is always here to help ...

    

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Many Thousands More To File Tax Returns for the First Time
Due to frozen thresholds and rising incomes ...

    

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Less than 1% Of Taxpayers Pay 24% Of All Income Tax And CGT
There are concerns the truly wealthy may leave ...

    

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Essendon Christmas 2023 Opening Hours
We'll be taking a well-deserved break ...

    

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A UK Strategy for Economic Growth
Unlocking the country's investment potential ...

    

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Changes in Criteria for Self-Assessment
What you need to know ...

    

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The Biggest Ever Increase To The National Living Wage
Has just been announced ...

    

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How to Plan an Inclusive Work-Related Social Event
Celebrating your employees ...

    

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Navigating the National Insurance Changes
from the Autumn Statement ...

    

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Get Our Autumn Statement 2023 Summary
What did the chancellor announce?

    

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The Reporting Obligations Around Salary Advances
Navigating the complexities ...

    

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New Businesses Wasting Two Weeks A Year On Admin!
And billions of their own money too ...

    

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Get Ready for the Autumn Statement 2023
What could the Chancellor announce?

    

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How Labour Shortages Are Holding Back UK Businesses
It's threatening economic growth too ...

    

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The Smart Way To Implement An Office Dress Code
Balancing professionalism and personal expression ...

    

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Are Your Sales And Marketing Processes Costing You Business?
A guest post by Julie Futcher ...

    

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Navigating the EU Carbon Border Tax
UK businesses at risk ...

    

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A Closer Look at the UK's Surging Tax Payments
The Unseen Tax Raid Impacting UK Households ...

    

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The Digital Shift: HMRC Phases Out Paper VAT1 Forms
Streamlining VAT registration in the UK ...

    

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A Guide to Understanding and Utilising Fit Notes
Top tips for employers and line managers ...

    

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King Charles III's Reign Ushers in a New Era of Currency
The UK's tribute to nature and the monarchy ...

    

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The Rising Inheritance Tax Burden in the UK
Rishi Sunak's plan for reform ...

    

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A Significant Boost to the National Living Wage in 2024
Rising to two-thirds of average earnings ...

    

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How Interest Rate Hikes Might Impact the UK Housing Market
It's the butterfly effect ...

    

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The Impending Tax on Inherited Pensions
What you need to know ...

    

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CGT: The Exodus Of Landlords And The Shrinking Exemption
Cuts and the changing landscape of UK taxation ...

    

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Safeguard Your Business With Right-To-Work Checks
Navigating the legalities of employment in the UK ...

    

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HMRC Increases Tax Investigations Across the UK
What this means for small businesses and freelancers ...

    

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Preparing Your Workplace for This Year's Viral Threats
Managing COVID-19 and other viruses ...

    

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Many British Employers Are Hiring Refugees
Ukraine and Hong Kong come out on top ...

    

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Navigating the Digital Pound: What You Need to Know
An accountants perspective ...

    

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The Hidden Costs of Call Connection Services
How simple Google searches result in huge bills ...

    

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HMRC: Problems with SME Research and Development claims
At least half are non-compliant ...

    

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HMRC's Increasing Collaboration with Informants
A step forward in combating tax evasion ...

    

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UK Economy: We May Need Higher Interest Rates
Is the Bank of England being overzealous?

    

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A Week Of Ups And Downs In The UK Economy
But there are signs of recovery in certain sectors ...

    

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Will Generative AI Give The UK A Productivity Boost?
We live in interesting times ...

    

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Can I Liquidate My Company With A Bounce Back Loan?
Yes, but you have to be careful ....

    

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HMRC Raises Interest Rates Again
Another hike ...

    

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Retirement Planning: What Are The Alternative To A Pension?
Do you even need one?

    

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Record Amounts of Capital Gains Tax
A bumper year for the Treasury ...

    

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The Tax Implications Of Buying A Second Home
It can generate a significant income ...

    

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Looking After Your Employee's Health Before They Get Ill
How can you support them?

    

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Company Credit Cards And Electric Vehicle Charging
Is there a taxable benefit? How about NIC?

    

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Letters To HMRC Left Unanswered For More Than A Year
I've had direct experience of this ...

    

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Employing Children And Young Workers
You can, but with a number of limitations ...

    

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HMRC's New Late Payment Interest Rate
The highest for 15 years ...

    

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Keeping On Top Of The National Minimum Wage
Will you be named and shamed?

    

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When Can You Rely On HMRC Guidance?
Mostly, unless they change it ...

    

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Does Raising Interest Rates Actually Bring Down Inflation?
It's a lot more complicated than that ...

    

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Tax Gap Steady, But Loss To Errors And Carelessness Rising
Not from Essendon clients though ...

    

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How To Apply For Additional Energy Bill Support
If you're eligible, remember to apply soon ...

    

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Businesses Urged To Unite As Fraud Cases Rise 25%
New statistics have revealed higher losses ...

    

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Government To Limit The Length Of Non-Compete Clauses
This will be well-received by many ...

    

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Mental Health: Are You Addicted To Tech?
Employers can take the lead ...

    

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HMRC Self-Assessment Helpline Closed!
For three months ...

    

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HMRC Rolls Out Self-Serve Time-To-Pay For VAT
There are rules though ...

    

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HMRC's Crackdown On Gifts To Social Media Influencers
Is VAT now always applicable?

    

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HMRC: Changes To Self-Assessment Criteria
Now under review ...

    

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Should I Pay To Top Up My State Pension?
You need 35 years of NICs ...

    

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Dividends: What Records Do You Need To Keep?
And how do you distribute them?

    

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HMRC Late Payment Interest Rate Reaches Seven Percent
Following recent BoE base rate increases ...

    

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Government Responds To Professional Bodies Concerns
Regarding HMRC service standards ...

    

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How To Close A Limited Company And Minimise Any Tax
Ensuring a smooth business wind-up ...

    

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PSAs: New Digital Tools For Employers
A new era for PAYE Settlement Agreements ...

    

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Cash Remains King As Businesses Gear Up For Growth
Keeping an eye on your cashflow ...

    

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Corporation Tax Rises By Six Percent to 25%
Only 30% of businesses should be affected ...

    

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Happy Birthday Value Added Tax!
So many glorious years of VAT ...

    

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Significant Changes To Business Rates Following Consultation
HMRC decides on additional obligations for ratepayers ...

    

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HR Implications Of The King’s Coronation
It's not that far away ...

    

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HMRC: Travel And Subsistence Expenses
All you need to know ...

    

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The Advantages And Disadvantages of A Private Limited Company
Seek professional advice to make an informed decision ...

    

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HMRC: Thousands Of Tax Payers Will Soon Be Moved To Digital Filing
No more paper based self-assessment ...

    

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Managing Mental Health And Wellbeing In The Workplace
April Is Stress Awareness Month ...

    

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Undeclared Swimming Pools in France uncovered by AI
Will HMRC get their own ideas?

    

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The Art Of Managing Employee Sickness Absence
How do you handle absences?

    

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HMRC Understaffing Crisis Impeding Economic Progress
Will they listen to us about staffing levels?

    

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Tax Exemption for Recommended Medical Treatment of Employees
Demonstrate your commitment to your employees ...

    

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Capital Gains Tax: Reducing The Annual Exemption Amount
Will you be affected?

    

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Deadline To Top Up National Insurance Contributions Extended
Do you have any gaps in your NI record?

    

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What Pension Reforms Did The Chancellor Announce?
They may improve productivity ...

    

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Get Our Budget 2023 Summary
What did the Chancellor announce?

    

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Do You Need To Update Your Tax Code?
What to do if it is incorrect ...

    

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HMRC: A Friendly Reminder About VAT Penalties
A firm yet fair new system ...

    

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VAT And Duty Implications Of The Windsor Framework
Fixing the failings of the NI Protocol ...

    

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Year-End: Are You Aware Of Your Reliefs And Allowances?
Getting your year-end tax planning right ...

    

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What Is An SME?
Hugely important ...

    

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11 Examples Of Startup Business Costs
To help move your business forward to success ...

    

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Make Time To Pay Arrangements Online And Avoid Calling HMRC
Do you meet the criteria?

    

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Treasury Sets Out Plans To Regulate Crypto
Better Legislation is needed ...

    

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The High-Income Child Benefit Charge
Do You Owe HMRC Money?

    

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Don't Forget To Claim Working From Home Tax Relief
Claims can be backdated if you forgot ...

    

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Net Zero: More To Be Done With Tax Policy
MP report has 129 recommendations ...

    

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HMRC Campaign Targets Income From Online Marketplaces
And digital content too ...

    

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HMRC Trials Intelligent Text Messaging With Taxpayers
Some may get stuck in a loop of doom ...

    

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Recession 2023: It Will Be Tough, But Transformational
How your business can weather the storm ...

    

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How Can Your Business Weather The Storm Of 2023?
The Business Godparent can be your lighthouse ...

    

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Energy Bills Discount Scheme: Details And Eligibility
Some prior claimants are no longer eligible ...

    

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Alcohol Duty Frozen For A Few More Months
Something to cheer you up this Blue Monday ...

    

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The Importance Of Customer Reviews
They are so powerful ...

    

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Companies House Warning On Scam Emails
Do be careful ...

    

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A New Year Message From The Business Godparent
Better times are around the corner ...

    

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New King Charles Bank Notes Revealed
Circulating in 2024 ...

    

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HMRC Announces Phased Implementation Of MTD For ITSA
Introduction to be delayed ...

    

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HMRC: Exclusions For 2021-22 Self Assessment Online Filing
I summarise the commonest exclusions ...

    

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Time To Pay: Pay Your January Tax Bill In Instalments
But do get it sorted soon ...

    

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Making Tax Digital For Income Tax Self-Assessment
Otherwise known as MTD for ITSA ...

    

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On The Bumpy Road To Economic Stability
Times are tough for investors ...

    

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Plan Your Staff Rewards For Christmas
Gratitue goes a long way ...

    

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The Rise Of Unretirement For Older Workers
Is this the next HR trend?

    

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Your Business And The National Grid's Planned Power Cuts
What if the blackouts actually happen?

    

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How Can Employers Avoid Losing Staff?
The basics of an employee retention strategy ...

    

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Get Our Autumn Budget 2022 Summary
What did the Chancellor announce?

    

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Significant Changes To R&D Tax Reliefs From April 2023
With a continued focus on tackling abuse ...

    

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Offering Electric Vehicles To Your Employees
Is it worth it now?

    

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HMRC Nudge Letters To Persons Of Significant Control
Do you have any undeclared tax?

    

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Rising Card Payment Costs And How To Mitigate Them
The card payment companies have an effective monopoly ...

    

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Prepare For Upcoming Changes To VAT Penalties
And interest charges too ...

    

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Can Rishinomics Repair The UK Economy?
We need some positive signals soon ...

    

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The New Chancellor Reverses Emergency Budget 2022
A week is a long time in politics ...

    

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The Business Godparent Newsletter Autumn 2022
Welcome to the 15th edition ...

    

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High Inflation Is Inevitable After The Pandemic
We live in interesting economic times ...

    

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Over 800,000 New Businesses Created In The UK This Year
And that's despite the economic stress ...

    

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NIC Reversal Leaves Little Time For Employers
And software developers too ...

    

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Weakened Pound: What Does It Mean For Your Business?
Although there is a silver lining ...

    

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IR35 To Be Scrapped From April 2023
Flawed from the start ...

    

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The Government's New UK Growth Plan
Chancellor announces radical shake up ...

    

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New Government Support For Business Energy Bills
All hands to the pumps ...

    

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HMRC: Variable Direct Debits For PAYE And NIC
Delayed, now starting in October ...

    

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We're Closed For Her Late Majesty's Funeral
Time to pay our respects ...

    

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Tax On Charging Company-Provided Electric Cars
Guidance is conflicting ...