Ring, ring. “Good morning, Mr XYZ, my name is Fred Smith from Microsoft. We have become aware that your computer has been hacked and it is imperative that you take steps to repair it. To do so we just need a few details……….” This is one of the latest scams to become prevalent, and you … Continue reading Beware unsolicited calls from people claiming to be Microsoft or HMRC →

The Real Time Information (“RTI”) rules finally hit the smaller employers. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are now required to report their payroll information under RTI. This means that a report of payments made to employees and the associated deductions must be made to the tax office before the payments are made, although HMRC … Continue reading The Real Time Information (RTI) impact on small employers →

We fairly frequently receive calls or emails from clients saying that they have received an email stating, for instance, that they are due a tax rebate. These will be scams. HMRC has stated that they will never contact a taxpayer by email about overpaid tax. They emphasise that you should never open such emails, and … Continue reading If you receive an email stating that you are due a tax rebate →

HM Revenue & Customs have just released the names of 70 offenders who have failed to pay the National Minimum Wage (“NMW”). The current rates of NMW are as follows: Employees aged 21 and above £6.50 per hour Employees aged 18 to 20 £5.13 per hour Employees under 18 £3.79 per hour Apprentices £2.73 per … Continue reading HMRC announces the names of 70 offenders who have failed to pay the National Minimum Wage →

A new tax relief worth up to £212 a year is coming into effect in April. It is a new Married Allowance, and is available to married couples and civil partnerships where: 1. the higher earner does not pay more than basic rate tax; and 2. the lower earner does not earn enough to use … Continue reading A new tax relief worth up to £212 a year is coming into effect in April →