The Health and Safety Executive are reminding businesses that the guidance for first aid at work changed from 1 October 2009.
To insure that you are complying with the revised requirements please visit the link below.
Internet link: HSE Website
HMRC are reminding businesses that new rules on how VAT returns are submitted and payments are made will come into force next year. Paper VAT returns will be phased out from 1 April 2010.
As a start of this phasing out process, businesses with:
will need to submit their VAT returns online and make payments electronically from April 2010.
Those businesses that are already VAT registered, with a turnover below the threshold, will have the choice to use paper returns but this will be reviewed by 2012.
Further guidance has been issued together with details of the penalties for failing to make an electronic return. The penalties will be:
HMRC have announced a period of grace which means that penalties will not be imposed initially, however periods ending on or after 31 March 2011 will be charged. This grace period is to allow businesses to adjust to the change in procedures.
HMRC have also announced simplified procedures for agents to submit their clients VAT returns, so please do get in touch if you would like any further advice in this area.
Under existing rules for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) employees can self certify for the first seven days of their illness and employers cannot ask for medical evidence during this period. There has been no change to this requirement.
If employees are ill for more than seven days, employers can ask for reasonable evidence that they are not able to work and decide what, if any, further information they may need.
During the swine flu pandemic, employers are being asked to consider other evidence (instead of a doctor's certificate) as proof of an employee's illness. This will hopefully help to reduce the burden on GPs.
Are you planning a party for your employees?
The good news is that, unlike entertaining customers, the costs of entertaining employees are generally allowable against the profits of the business.
But what is the tax treatment for the employees themselves? Is it a perk of their jobs and will they have to pay tax on a benefit?
Generally, as long as the total costs of employee annual functions in a tax year are less than £150 per attendee (VAT inclusive) there will be no tax implications for the employees themselves.
In considering this limit make sure you have included all the costs, which may include not only the meal itself but also any drinks, transport and accommodation that you provide.
If the costs are above the £150 limit then do get in touch so we can advise you how best to deal with them.
If you are going to be out celebrating on New Year's Eve or indeed if your business will be operating over midnight, you will be glad to hear that the Government has announced a relaxation of the VAT rules.
Pubs, clubs, restaurants and other retail businesses remaining open past midnight on New Year's Eve will be allowed to continue charging VAT at 15% on their sales until they close or until 6am on 1 January 2010, whichever is the earlier.
Similar arrangements will apply to telecommunications companies in respect of calls and texts made up to 6am on 1 January.
HMRC are warning taxpayers who wish to file a paper (non electronic) tax return for the 2008/09 tax year, should generally reach them by midnight on Saturday 31 October 2009 (or be hand delivered by Monday 2 November).
However, due to proposed postal strike action, HMRC are further advising that returns:
will also not attract a late filing penalty.
The deadline for filing returns may be later in some circumstances for example:
If you fail to make the paper filing deadline, please do get in touch if you would like us to help you file your return online.
Taxpayers generally have until 31 January 2010 to submit their self assessment return online.
