HLAS

In recent years, HMRC has identified and successfully challenged several false claims for Research and Development (R&D) tax credit relief made by purported R&D Consultants.  Many of these claims have been for projects that did not satisfy the criteria for the tax relief and some included overstated expenditure and consequently have been abusing the scheme. This is a generous tax break. As a Small or Medium-sized Entity (SME), the expenditure qualifies for a tax deduction of 230% of the amount spent which can then be traded in for a tax refund of 14.5% where the company is loss-making. Thus, £100,000 [...]

The talent shortage continues to place a burden on the economy. As companies struggle to find the talent they need, now is the time to invest in new and more strategic approaches to developing an early talent pipeline. One way of bringing in new talent is through traineeships. A traineeship is a work-based skills development programme that includes a work placement. There is a free government scheme (outlined below), although you may have your own business costs. Some employers may choose to pay the wages and expenses such as travel and living costs. The full programme can last from 6 [...]

The UK Government has published guidance for businesses considering making offers of employment to people coming to the UK from Ukraine. If you are offering employment opportunities, you will need to complete the Vacancy information questionnaire. After you have returned the questionnaire to [email protected], your organisation will be contacted by the National Employer and Partnership Team in the Department for Work and Pensions within 5 working days to discuss the roles available. Job opportunities will then be shared across the DWP Jobcentre Plus network and with the Refugee Employment Network (REN), a charity which works with organisations across the UK to support [...]

A new Innovate UK-funded Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition will open on Monday 27 June 2022 as part of the Strategic Priorities Fund Greenhouse Gas Removal Demonstrators programme. The competition aims to support the development of innovative monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) tools and techniques to assess the effectiveness of land-based greenhouse gas removal (GGR). You can use a variety of tools, technologies and techniques to assist and enable robust MRV of land-based GGR techniques. For example: digital solutions remote sensing or monitoring databases online tools measurement tools accreditation schemes This list is not exhaustive. Innovate UK would welcome [...]

Innovate UK is offering small and micro businesses a share of up to £30 million in grants for affordable, adoptable and investable innovations in net zero and healthcare Businesses can apply for up to £50,000 for highly innovative ideas that have a clear route to commercialisation through business growth. The ideas must focus on one of two challenge themes: Achieving net zero and reducing environmental impact. Self-driven healthcare, de-centralised healthcare and mental wellbeing. Within those themes, projects should explore how one or more of the seven UK Innovation Strategy technology areas can enable affordable, adoptable, and investible solutions. These areas [...]

Mike Holdstock of Hessle – based accountancy practice Harris Lacey and Swain celebrated, in June, his 60th year work anniversary as an accountant. He reminisces `Fresh out of school, I went to the Youth Employment Offices in Hull City Centre (my mother insisted on coming with me) and the choices were offices, shops and factories` `There was a position for a junior audit clerk at Hird Major & Co in George Street, one of the few combined accountants and insurance brokers in the area at that time, and, after a successful interview (also attended by my mother!) I began work [...]

The cost of living increase means it’s never been more important for your employees to claim tax relief on work-related expenses. HMRC want to encourage employees to claim money they are entitled to using the HMRC online service. You can support HMRC and your employees by passing on the useful messages below using your internal newsletters, websites, meetings, notice boards and other communication routes. Message to employees Some employees can get tax relief on expenses their employer has not reimbursed them for. This includes things like: uniforms and work clothing equipment purchases professional fees and subscriptions using their own vehicles [...]

As an employer, you have automatic enrolment responsibilities. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) writes to you as an employer to keep you up to date with the automatic enrolment tasks you need to complete and when they need to be completed, so it’s important that they hold your latest contact details. Due to the pandemic or other reasons, your working situation may have changed. For example, you may have changed offices or are now mainly working from home. You should ensure The Pensions Regulator has the most up-to-date contact information for you (postal address and email) so you can receive the [...]

If you make PAYE payments to HMRC, you should check that your payment reference number is correct every time. If you use an incorrect reference number, your payment may not be recognised. This can lead to penalties and charges being issued even if you paid on time, and you will need to call HMRC to correct any error. A payment reference number is specific to the type of tax and the accounting period for which you are making a payment. The characters in your payment reference number tell HMRC where to allocate your payments, which helps them process your payments as quickly [...]

In the Spring Statement 2022, the UK Government announced an increase in National Insurance thresholds affecting the 2022 to 2023 tax year. We want to take the opportunity to remind our clients that the threshold changes will take effect from 6 July 2022, meaning employees will pay National Insurance contributions on less of their income. The primary threshold from 6 July 2022 to 5 April 2023 will be £242 per week and £1,048 per month, equivalent to £12,570 per year (increased from £9,880 per year). See the guidance Rates and thresholds for employers 2022 to 2023, ‘Class 1 National Insurance thresholds’ for further [...]