Having a reasonable excuse can be a get-out-of-jail-free card if you are charged a tax penalty. However, there is no statutory definition of the term, and what might constitute a reasonable excuse for one person…
Don’t forget to include Covid-19 payments on self-assessment returns
With the 2021 self-assessment tax return deadline on 31 January, HMRC has been busy reminding taxpayers to declare any Covid-19 grant payments they might have received. This is the first year they need to be…
New Covid-19 business support package
A new support package has been announced to assist businesses impacted by the Covid-19 Omicron variant. Applications are open to the end of February, but many have said the measures don’t go far enough given…
Temporary changes to sickness absence rules…………
The government has introduced temporary sickness absence rules, effective 10 December 2021 until January 26th 2022. The new rules provide an exemption the provision of proof of sickness until 28 days of being off work.…
Universal Credit eligibility expands to higher rate taxpayers
Autumn Budget reforms have created a surprising clash of benefits and income tax. The Covid-19 pandemic was the first time many people utilised Universal Credit (UC) for the first time – between February and May…
‘No jab, no job?’ and other workplace challenges
Now that more employees have been returning to the workplace, employers face several potentially challenging issues. Vaccination is one of the most problematic – businesses may wish to insist on employees being vaccinated, but there…
Managing the end of furlough
After playing a crucial part in managing the impact of Covid-19, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is set to end on 30 September. Although some business sectors, such as hospitality, are currently seeing severe…
No room for giveaways in OBR risk report
The Office for Budget Responsibility has given Rishi Sunak its new worry list. It gives the Chancellor little wriggle-room for potential Budget generosity. Every other year the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) must issue a…
Repaying Furlough Grants
The government reports that 3,000 businesses have voluntarily repaid over £760 million of furlough grants received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) where the reality of the impact of the pandemic was not as…
The Clock’s Ticking: Covid VAT deferral – new payment scheme
Businesses that deferred VAT payments due between 20 March and 30 June 2020, and cannot afford to pay by 31 March 2021, have the option of joining a new scheme allowing them to pay the…