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Childcare Vouchers are Changing

11th June 2018
Childcare Vouchers are an employee benefit for all eligible working parents but with the current system changing in October, anyone thinking about it should act now. Joanne Gibson takes a closer look. Childcare Vouchers are a Government approved, tax-efficient way of paying for childcare and are an employee benefit for all eligible working parents. And...

Cycle to work schemes

1st June 2018
The better weather has finally arrived, and you are thinking about introducing a Cycle to Work scheme in your workplace. There are several options available to you including ready-made cycle schemes, the DIY alternative or a mixture of both. Bob Johnstone takes a closer look at the pros and cons. Cycle to work exemption You...
Joanne Gibson Head of Payroll

Payroll like clockwork

29th May 2018
Managing Payroll is one of those core business functions that you might believe is better kept in-house, but as our new Payroll Bureau Manager Joanne Gibson informs you, there is a compelling case for outsourcing it. As a business owner you will know that employing a workforce requires a good understanding of your legal obligations...

PENSION RELIEF FOR SCOTTISH TAXPAYERS?

2nd May 2018
The new Scottish tax rates left taxpayers pretty confused over how they would work with tax relief for pension contributions. What are HMRC saying about this? Kevin Crowford takes a closer look. When the new Scottish five-tier tax rates were announced there was no mention of how this would fit in with the UK three-tier...

VALUE ADDED MOTORING

1st May 2018
VAT rules for cars used in your business are notoriously strict but for some types of motor running expenses, they are surprisingly generous. John Craig explains what are they and how can you take maximum advantage of them? Except in the rare situation that you can prove to HMRC that a car is used 100%...
Kevin Crowford, Partner at JRW CA

INCORPORATING YOUR BUSINESS – The Hidden Tax

29th March 2018
You are looking to incorporate your business and you’ve heard that any resulting tax charges can be legitimately mitigated. However, there is tax to pay as Kevin Crowford shows in his latest blog. Undoubtedly one of the main reasons for transferring a sole trader business to a company in which you own shares is tax...

PUTTING IT THROUGH THE BUSINESS

27th March 2018
You are buying new IT equipment, mainly for use at home, but occasionally it will be used for work. Can you reclaim the VAT on the cost of the equipment and is there any advantage in doing so? VAT expert John Craig takes a closer look. ‘Putting it through the business’ is the old chestnut...

BE SMART ABOUT CASUAL LABOUR

13th March 2018
As an employer, you’ll be aware of the increasing number of obligations when employing and looking after your staff.  But this also has an impact on employing casual workers too, Kevin Ferguson looks at the Tax do’s and don’ts of employing casual workers. You will probably know from experience that these days employers must not...

SCOTTISH BUDGET – new rates, bands and pension tax relief

12th March 2018
With more changes than you can shake a stick at, this is article includes a summary of the new Scottish Tax rates and bands which come into effect on 6 April. The Scottish Government Budget announced new Scottish Income Tax rates and bands for the 2018 to 2019 tax year. These were confirmed on 20...

MESSAGE FROM THE SCOTTISH CHARITY REGULATOR

15th February 2018
The recent reports of abuses connected to some charities working in the international aid sector are deeply troubling and as a regulator we take such matters extremely seriously. There are two key points that we would like to remind charities of in light of the reports. Safeguarding (keeping vulnerable beneficiaries, volunteers and staff safe). Notifiable...