Business Advice
A Jubilee Celebration for Employers?
Posted on 20. May, 2012 by editor.
As the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations fast approach, an employment expert is warning employers to plan ahead to avoid potential problems in the workplace.
Angela Shaw, employment solicitor at Massers in Nottingham, believes that employees have certain expectations about their entitlement to the additional bank holiday on Tuesday 5th June.
“As a general rule, there is no [...]
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Now is the time to R&D
Posted on 11. May, 2012 by editor.
By Trevor Shaw, business tax director, Grant Thornton UK
Now is a really good time to start or increase investment in research and development (R&D), even for the smallest companies.
As well as generating competitive advantage through novel products, R&D is already, and increasingly, a good decision in terms of tax benefits.
The UK Government is keen to [...]
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The Hidden Impacts of Quantitative Easing – Creating the Perfect Storm
Posted on 01. May, 2012 by editor.
Jillian Thomas DipPFS, Managing Director, of Future Life Wealth Management Ltd discusses issues surrounding quantitative easing measures
Mervyn King and his colleagues at the bank of England decided to use quantitative easing to help the failing British economy. This untested and experimental method is impacting on our short and longer term livelihoods with potentially disastrous consequences. [...]
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Maximising RGF Opportunities
Posted on 28. Mar, 2012 by editor.
Now is a crucial time to act if the East Midlands is to put in bids for a share of the government’s Regional Growth Fund.
That’s the message from Elly Fletcher, associate at leading economic development firm, Focus Consultants.
The North West and North East of the UK swept up in the first two funding rounds of [...]
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Opening The Patent Box: Is Your Business Ready?
Posted on 22. Mar, 2012 by editor.
Matthew Talbot, Head of Intellectual Property and Information Technology at Howes Percival LLP, discusses a proposed tax regime which will allow companies to benefit from a reduced corporation tax rate on profits flowing from a UK patent
In June of last year, the Government carried out a consultation into a proposed tax regime known as the [...]
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Tax in the Global Village
Posted on 20. Mar, 2012 by editor.
Trevor Shaw, Business Tax Director at Grant Thornton UK in Leicester, discusses the various tax issues businesses should consider when trading in international markets
In this global village it appears easy for businesses to sell their goods and services to overseas buyers. This can be undertaken via the Internet from a server based in the UK [...]
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What Does the Future Hold for East Midlands Retailers?
Posted on 29. Feb, 2012 by editor.
Retail expert Corin Birchall (pictured) of Kerching Retail examines the implications of the Portas Report for independent retailers in the East Midlands.
The eagerly anticipated Portas Report published at the end of 2011 has been hailed by many as the remedy for our troubled high streets and independent retailers. The report’s recommendations were based on six months [...]
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An Own Goal for the Tax Avoidance Industry?
Posted on 23. Feb, 2012 by editor.
The much publicised action taken by HM Revenue & Custom against Rangers Football Club may be just the tip of the iceberg as HMRC continue to challenge tax evaders and the whole tax avoidance industry. The action taken against Rangers FC is perhaps the most high profile example to date of HM Revenue & Customs [...]
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Maximising Benefits for Taxpayers and the Charities they Support
Posted on 23. Feb, 2012 by editor.
High earners donating to charities can cut their tax bills and increase the money their favourite causes receive by maximising their use of tax relief.
Higher rate (40%) and additional rate (50%) taxpayers can claim relief on their donations at their highest marginal rate.
Providing a donor makes the necessary declaration and has paid sufficient tax, both [...]
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New Rules Allow Taxman to Collect Debts Via PAYE
Posted on 10. Feb, 2012 by editor.
Businesses in the East Midlands are being alerted to new rules which as from April will allow small debts of up to £3,000 to be collected though taxpayers’ PAYE codes.
Under the regulations HM Revenue and Customs will be permitted to use PAYE as an additional way of recovering self-assessment debts and tax credit overpayments.
Dave Barnett [...]
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eCommerce: Steering Check-Ins to Check-Outs!
Posted on 26. Jan, 2012 by editor.
With rough trading conditions and major high street and online retailers going into administration, using the internet effectively to help your business sell is now more essential than ever.
Thanks to more than seven out of ten internet users currently being online buyers and with the gap narrowing all the time, shop owners simply can’t afford [...]
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Developing An App For Your Business
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by editor.
Businesses are increasingly realising the importance of apps as a business tool. Pete Whelan of application development company Infonote explores the growth of applications and has some tips for their development.
The way that companies are communicating with customers, doing business and marketing themselves has been undergoing a major change over the past couple of years. [...]
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Don’t Overlook New Tax Relief for Property Investors
Posted on 15. Dec, 2011 by editor.
Some residential property investors may be overlooking a new tax relief that could save them thousands of pounds, Emma Dancer (pictured) of Andersons Solicitors explains how it works.
Investors buying properties consisting of two or more flats could be spending far more than necessary if they don’t take advantage of a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief introduced [...]
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Choosing The Right Creative Agency For Your Brand
Posted on 07. Nov, 2011 by editor.
Chris Redshaw, Managing Director of award winning Derby-based design firm Revolver Revolver, discusses the process that should be followed when appointing a creative agency to work on your behalf:
Appointing a creative agency or design team to work with you on developing your brand can be difficult, with so many options it can be a daunting [...]
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Prenuptial Agreements Benefit Partners in Business
Posted on 07. Nov, 2011 by editor.
Jane Cowley, partner at Howes Percival Solicitors provides an insight into how risk can be mitigated in new business partnerships.
Think of a prenuptial agreement and no doubt film star and celebrity couples spring to mind. However, there are an increasing number of entrepreneurs who are drawing up prenuptial agreements with their new business partners.
Friendship alone [...]
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PR Advice: Why Won’t They Cover My News?
Posted on 31. Oct, 2011 by editor.
Louise Third, director of Integra Communications gives an insight into how to work with the media
Just the other day, a magazine editor told me how he frequently returns press releases with his publication’s Rate Card attached. Why? Because whoever had written the release had failed to grasp both the purpose of the document, and the [...]
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What Makes a Marketing Winner?
Posted on 25. Oct, 2011 by editor.
Francine Pickering of Clarity Marketing highlights what makes a marketing winner stand apart from a marketing loser and what that means for your business in tough times
“Marketing is just another word for advertising.” Right? Wrong – and a marketing winner knows it.
It is, however, a common and unfortunate misconception that marketing is only about promoting [...]
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National Minimum Wage Increases and Avoiding Expensive Payroll Errors
Posted on 28. Sep, 2011 by editor.
In June, the Employment Tribunal awarded nearly £160,000 to an individual whose employer failed to pay the NMW (National Minimum Wage) for a domestic job over a number of years. The total award was higher: the £160,000 was the amount relating to NMW arrears only!
The adult NMW rate is currently £5.93 per hour rising to £6.08 [...]
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