As we approach the traditional summer holidays period the JRW team have been talking about books that those of us who are lucky enough to go on holiday might take with them.  And even if you are not going on holiday there is nothing better than sitting in the sun enjoying a good book.  So...

On the 8th June 2015 the paper driving licence disappeared as part of the UK government’s policy to streamline services and save money.  In fact the DVLA are advising that paper copies should now be destroyed unless your licence dates back to pre 1998 when the photo cards were introduced and even if you do...

In the Scottish Borders May to August is Common Riding Season with each town choosing its principal in May and then Common Riding season starting in earnest with the Hawick Common Riding.  Ride-outs involve hundreds of horses to mark the boundaries of the town and celebrate the town’s and regions rich history. If you have...

On 6 April 2015 a new Marriage Allowance came into effect, offering tax benefits for eligible couples.  The allowance applies to married couples and civil partnerships where one of you doesn’t pay tax and the other doesn’t pay more than the basic rate of income tax (20%).  It allows the non-tax payer to transfer up...

Are you one of an increasing number of people who work from home? The number of people working from home has risen to its highest level since records began -according to the Office for National Statistics. There were 4.2 million home workers in the UK in the first three months of 2014 amounting to 13.9%...

As motorists, our growing demand for reduced costs and greater efficiency coupled with increased choice and performance, has resulted in a quadrupling of plug in car sales. By Robert J Johnstone, Associate, JRW Chartered Accountants There has been a huge surge in demand for ultra-low emission vehicles in the UK, with sales of electric and...

You certainly don’t need us to tell you that the new Borders Railway is making excellent progress and is right on track for its official September launch date.   As the longest new domestic railway to be constructed in Britain for over 100 years, this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting developments to have...

A huge change in the way people fund their retirement is expected following the Chancellor’s well reported ‘pension revolution’. From 5th April this year, millions of people reaching retirement age will be able to spend their pension pot in any way they want. The move will remove the requirement on many people with defined contribution...

Ask someone to name a famous franchise and they will probably say MacDonald’s or Subway but there are numerous kinds of franchises out there in the market place. In relation to any other small business, franchising has proved to be successful, with 94% of units still operating profitable businesses 5 years down the line whilst...

It might surprise you to know but Inheritance Tax (IHT) is starting to become more of a concern to many people, the main reason for this being rising property prices. Most estates (the assets you leave when you die) are still not charged with Inheritance Tax, as the total value is not high enough, but...