As many of you will know the proposed IR35 legislation implementation in the private sector has been delayed for a year. This may be too late for some and for others this may be good news. However one thing that is important to remember is that if you have already been assessed to be within IR35 you will operate at considerable risk if you continue under the old … [Read more...]
Diversity is different in Accountancy – Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards
While delighted to be a judge for the Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards, I was intrigued to find that Male Diversity Champion was on my list of categories to pore over. For those of you that don’t know me, I’ve never been shy in flagging up examples of men who fail to support others in the workplace. But I don’t criticise just for the sake of it, and I do … [Read more...]
The Tax system makes simple self assessments far too complicated
I’m a great believer that where we have a tax regime demanding self assessment (clue in the title – the onus is on us to report income to assess how much tax we pay) then TAX SHOULD BE SIMPLE. The Tax Rules should be something that each and every tax payer in the UK can understand. However there are a number of things that make the tax system unnecessarily … [Read more...]
VAT Flat Rate Scheme should be abolished?
Rendered all but useless to many by the Limited Cost Business rules introduced in April 2017, the VAT Flat Rate Scheme seems to be one that’s inciting business owners to actively seek out tax evasion tactics to avoid the application of the 16.5% standard Flat Rate percentage. It’s time for the whole scheme to be reviewed and potentially abolished. Background to the Flat … [Read more...]
How to avoid sleepless nights worrying about HMRC catching you out on your Tax Scheme
“Nothing is certain but death and taxes” – a phrase attributed to multiple authors including Benjamin Franklin. Whoever said it they were certainly correct. The taxes raised pay for the Public Services that we need and consume – road, health service, Police, Ambulances, Education to name but a few. If as a Nation we want Public Services then we need to fund these by way of a … [Read more...]
I’ll do anything for Tax but I won’t do that
Contrary to popular opinion, the life of a Chartered Accountant is far from dull. The stories some people share with us are extraordinary. It’s almost like being a Priest except, for those accountants who are regulated (not all are but that’s a different story) we have a legal obligation, under Money Laundering Rules, to report any financially suspicious behaviour we … [Read more...]