HLAS

The Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool, which has been developed by IASME on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre – a part of Government Communication Head Quarters – asks organisations a series of questions related to the main Cyber Essentials criteria to help prepare them for certification. Through the Cyber Essentials scheme, businesses can learn how to defend themselves by securing internet connections and devices, controlling access to data, and understanding how to protect against malware.

Employer provided equipment If you have supplied your employees with office equipment to allow them to work from home, without a transfer of ownership, there is no tax charge when they return the equipment back to you. If you transfer the ownership of the equipment to the employee at any stage of their employment, a benefit charge generally arises on the market value of the equipment at the time of the transfer less any amount made good by the employee. There is an alternative method for calculating the chargeable benefit when equipment is transferred, more information on this method can [...]

Despite the coronavirus lockdowns, HMRC still expect P11D forms reporting expenses and benefits to be submitted by the normal 6 July deadline. Employers need to submit a P11D form to HMRC for each employee you’ve provided with expenses or benefits. Employers also need to submit a P11D(b) form if: You have submitted any P11D forms You have paid employees’ expenses or benefits through your payroll HMRC have asked you to - either by sending you a form or an email Form P11D(b) tells HMRC how much Class 1A National Insurance (at 13.8%) you need to pay on all the expenses [...]

Tax credits customers should be vigilant and alert to potential scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned. Anyone doing their tax credits renewal who has received a tax or benefits scam email, or text, might be tricked into thinking it was from HMRC and share their personal details with criminals, or even transfer money for a bogus overpayment. Many scams mimic government messages to appear authentic and reassuring. HMRC is a familiar brand, which criminals abuse to add credibility to their scams. If customers cannot verify the identity of a caller, HMRC recommends that you do not speak to [...]

UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 2.3% in April 2021, the fastest monthly growth since July 2020, as government restrictions affecting economic activity continued to ease. The service sector grew by 3.4% in April 2021, with consumer-facing services re-opening in line with the easing of coronavirus restrictions and more pupils returning to onsite lessons. April’s GDP remains 3.7% below the pre-pandemic levels seen in February 2020, however it is now 1.2% above its initial recovery peak in October 2020. See: GDP monthly estimate, UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) The latest Office for National [...]

“Without a destination a sailor will never get a favourable wind” Anon. It is easier to get to your destination with a plan. We all know this simple truth. If you are driving from A to B it helps to know where A is and the directions, you need to take. If you have a vision of what you want your business to look like when it is “complete” then you are in a position to drive your business towards the vision and you can monitor how you are doing as you go along. If you do not have a [...]

If your business moves goods between the UK and countries in the EU, they will need to follow new customs and tax rules. Their business will be affected by the new rules if they: buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK send goods they’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country have not exchanged money, but need to move equipment they use for their business, between the UK and the EU. You can now apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund. Smaller businesses can get up to £2,000 to pay for practical support, including [...]

The Notification of the Airport and Ground Operators Support Scheme gives funding to airports and airport ground crews affected by COVID-19. The aim was to open the scheme in January (2021) and ensure grant payments were made to eligible businesses by the end of the financial year. Grant payments would be made using powers in sections 7 and 8 of the act. Section 8(8) of the act states that financial assistance for any one project shall not exceed £30 million, except so far as such excess has been authorised by a resolution of the House of Commons. The need to act and [...]