HLAS

Another consequence of the lockdown periods is that employees may have driven fewer private miles in their company cars, particularly where they have not been driving to the office. If they are to avoid being taxed on the provision of private fuel they need to fully reimburse their employer for the cost of private fuel by 6 July 2021 for the 2020/21 tax year. Note that the CO2 emissions percentage for the car is multiplied by the £24,500 notional list price used to calculate the benefit. For example, a director driving a Mercedes Benz E200 saloon company car (CO2 emissions [...]

P11d forms reporting benefits in kind provided to employees and directors need to be submitted to HMRC by 6 July. Where a company car is “unavailable” for private use for 30 or more consecutive days the benefit is proportionately reduced. During the various lockdown periods many employees and directors have not been using their company cars and it may have been sitting on their driveway. Unfortunately, that does not count as being unavailable. HMRC have confirmed that they would continue to regard the car as available to the employee unless the keys or fobs are returned to the employer or [...]

HMRC are urging businesses to look out for the use of mini-umbrella companies (MUCs) to pay contractors supplying their labour via agencies and other intermediaries. Businesses need to be aware of the financial and reputational risks of such entities in their labour supply chain and carry out due diligence to minimise those risks. You may have heard a BBC File on Four radio programme that highlighted the abuse of the £4,000 employment allowance by 48,000 companies set up to take advantage of the allowance to save employers national insurance. Such structures are also being used to avoid VAT and are [...]

It is rare for accountants to develop an emotional attachment to a client. Though we do get heavily invested in what our clients do and how we can make their working lives easier – and while we do truly care about each one of them – the relationship remains professional and business-like, as do our feelings, throughout the months and years we work with them. While it is rare to develop an emotional attachment to a client, it is perfectly possible. Meet Case, a charity providing practical support to those with learning difficulties. Find out the excellent work CASE have [...]

This update replaces previous guidance issued on 20 April 2021. The temporary COVID-19 adjusted right to rent checks will now end on 20 June 2021, and from 21 June 2021 landlords will revert to face to face and physical document checks as set out in legislation and guidance. This is aligned with the easing of lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures, as set out in the government’s roadmap for England. The following temporary changes were made on 30 March 2020 and remain in place until 20 June 2021 (inclusive): checks can currently be carried out over video calls tenants can [...]

From 17 May, the ‘Stay in the UK’ regulation will cease, and international travel will be allowed to restart, governed by a new traffic light system. The traffic light system As the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world, the government advises people should not be travelling to amber or red countries. The green list comprises of the following 12 countries and territories when international travel resumes on 17 May: Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira) Israel and Jerusalem Gibraltar Iceland Singapore Australia Brunei Darussalam Falkland Islands Faroe Islands New Zealand Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha South [...]