The government published guidance late last night on the operation of the Job Retention Scheme. We have had many enquiries in relation to this matter and hopefully the following information will answer the majority of these queries. Recap of the Basics Employers can claim 80% of furloughed worker’s usual wage costs up to £2,500 per...

Few businesses could ever have imagined, let alone made plans for, the potential impact of a massive epidemic such as the current coronavirus crisis. As accountants, we want to provide you with some practical steps that you can take. Keep in touch Keep in touch with your accountant. The sooner that they are made aware...

Are you and your staff handling tips correctly? If you operate a café or restaurant, your employees will receive tips from the majority of customers. But as a business owner, what do need to do regarding income tax on these tips? Head of our Payroll Team Joanne Gibson explains. The starting point is to confirm...

The government has announced a big increase in the national living wage and national minimum wage rates for 2020/21. What are they and when do they take effect? The government has announced the national living wage (NLW) and the four national minimum wage (NMW) rates which will take effect on 1st April 2020. You should...

In April 2020, an important change will be made to the holiday pay reference period which is used to calculate holiday pay entitlement for employees and workers. As an employer, what do you need to know? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson finds out. On 6th April 2020 the holiday pay reference period will be extended...

Before Christmas 2018, HMRC wrote to employers about a temporary relaxation of the deadline for reporting payroll information. What’s the position for this year? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson finds out. Changing paydays HMRC is planning to update its guidance to employers about paying employees earlier than usual over the Christmas period. As the new...

You’ve engaged the services of a non-executive director (NED) to bring specialist expertise to your company. She says she’s freelance and has asked for her fees to be paid free of tax and NI. Is that OK or do you run the risk of trouble with HMRC? Joanne Gibson looks at the implications. The role...

The government has published draft legislation for the new restrictions which will apply to the NI Employment Allowance (EA) from April 2020. Will your business be affected, and if so, how? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson brings you up to date. Employment Allowance Since April 2014 most employers have been entitled to a deduction from...

As you might have seen in the news recently, The Supreme Court has upheld earlier decisions confirming an individual’s claim that he was a ‘worker’ and not self-employed. But what are the tax and NI consequences of this ruling? Joanne Gibson discusses the Pimlico Plumbers case and its decision on employment status. The long-running and...

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...