Q. Mr Jones has arranged to add on a couple days to his family holiday so he can visit colleagues to discuss work matters. His accountant has told him that he can’t claim any of the costs relating to the trip. Is this correct? A. As you probably already know about the general rule for...

A business provides their staff with workplace clothing but because of a recent change to the rules, they might face a tax and NI bill. What are HMRC referring to and is there any way to avoid these tax costs? Helen Johnstone finds out. ABC Limited provides all staff who might come into contact with...

There’s more than one rule which determines the type of tax relief you can claim for capital expenditure in a property rental business. Different rules can apply from year to year. But which can you claim and how can you ensure maximum relief? Brona MacDougall takes a closer look. Generally, it doesn’t matter what type...

The government has announced a big increase in the national living wage and national minimum wage rates for 2020/21. What are they and when do they take effect? The government has announced the national living wage (NLW) and the four national minimum wage (NMW) rates which will take effect on 1st April 2020. You should...

As a business which hosts seminars and courses, food and drink is provided as part of this during the day. A tax inspector refused to allow a tax deduction for the cost because he says that it is business entertainment. Is he correct? Income tax, corporation tax and VAT legislation each contain a similar rule...

Can I change my mind about a dividend? Q. In 2019 my company paid me cash adding up to over £25,000. This was charged to my director’s loan account (DLA), and at the company’s year end (31 December 2019) I still owed the money. My accountant says because of this the company will have to...

In April 2020, an important change will be made to the holiday pay reference period which is used to calculate holiday pay entitlement for employees and workers. As an employer, what do you need to know? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson finds out. On 6th April 2020 the holiday pay reference period will be extended...

A local sports club held a Christmas fundraising dinner, the club is non-profit making but they are unsure about how to deal with VAT on the income. Also can the club claim any input tax on the costs of the dinner? John Craig provides the answers. The good news is that the income from the...

VAT on overseas work? Q. I am VAT registered as a window cleaner. I visit my mother in Dublin for one week every two months and do some work while I am there. Do I need to charge VAT on this work or is it not an issue because I am doing the work outside...

Your business has some unpaid purchase invoices in the 90-day+ column of its aged creditors report. Input tax has been claimed on these invoices. Why does this lead to a problem and how could you avoid it in the future? Bob Johnstone from our Galashiels office investigates. If you pay and claim VAT based on...