What's Happening

Certificates

The Budget

Find out more about how this may have affected your business with HMRC

Simpler Income Tax – Cash Basis and Simplified Expenses

In the Budget statement on 20 March, the Government announced that two new measures - together called Simpler Income Tax – are being introduced to help small businesses to do their income tax.

For the 2013/14 tax year onwards, unincorporated businesses whose income does not exceed the VAT registration limit will be able to choose to work out their tax on the money that flows in and out of their business; this is what is meant by “cash basis”. Using this scheme will mean that these businesses will avoid the need to make year-end tax adjustments, required under current rules that were designed for more complex businesses.

In addition, all unincorporated businesses, no matter what their size, can also choose to use simpler schemes to claim some common business expenses; this is what is meant by ”simplified expenses”.

Further guidance on eligibility and suitability etc will be published on the new Government website, GOV.UK, from 6 April. HMRC will also offer guidance, a webinar and a YouTube video that will help businesses understand and use the new schemes. Look out for our special editorial with next month’s Key Messages, which will have a lot more detail.

What could you change in a day? Could you challenge yourself to do something extraordinary? We want to back your idea to make a real change.

Whether it’s bullying, litter, or lack of local activities – choose something that you want to change and tell us what you’d do if you had a day to change it!

We could back you with a cash Award of up to £500 and give you the support you need to get started.
 

Apply now and Be Extraordinary For A Day!

Closing date for applications is Friday 14th June 2013
Winners will be announced on Friday 28th June 2013

E-learning survey

If you have completed one of our e-learning products within the last 3 months, please complete this short survey before 14 March 2013 to help us assess how well it meets your needs.

Real Time Information – Further Help Available

HMRC have produced online help to give Employers information about Real Time Information (RTI). We have produced three webinars (online presentations) that are available on the HMRC website and two videos that are on the HMRC YouTube Channel. They cover what is happening and when, the importance of accurate employee information and will help employers to prepare for submitting PAYE information in real time. These recordings are available 24/7, so employers can access this information at their convenience.

Are you:

* Participating in an ESF Priority 1 Project?
* Aged between 16 and 17 on entry?
* Up to age 24 under specific circumstance?

If so, you may be entitled to up to £25.00 per week EMA

Bring together a group of eligible young people and boost their chances of getting a job:

* Associated costs such as room hire or administration will be covered where applicable
* We come to you or a suitable venue nearby
* Morning or afternoon clinics are run for 4-8 young people and last 2.5 hours

To be eligible your young people must:

* Be aged 16 -24 years old
* Live in a rural or mixed urban/rural ward
* Be unemployed or working/studying less than 16 hours per week

Welcome to the February 2013 edition of Key Messages

This month we have put the spotlight on:

· Mobile Apps
· Company car fuel rates
· Importing and Exporting
· RTI
· Dormant Companies
· Business Records Checks
 

The Youth Employment Scheme is a Northern Ireland-specific programme aimed at helping young people aged 18 to 24 and unemployed to find permanent work.

The scheme mainly works by giving young people the opportunity to develop their skills through practical workplace experience during work placements.

The opportunities range from short stints to longer-term options, with placements of between two weeks and several months available.

This month we have put the spotlight on:

· Update on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

· Deadline reminder: 31st January 2013 for online Self Assessment Returns, plus link to free webinars in January for 1st timers!

· Current information on Real Time Operation of PAYE (RTI)

· Possible changes to some VAT registration certificates (VAT 4)

· Workshops supporting businesses for Research, Development and Innovation

· Last call for the Machine Games Duty (MGD) online registration service
 

This workshop is a unique opportunity to learn how intellectual property law operates when creating, protecting and marketing your business/concept. Speakers will provide practical advice and guidance and discuss the impact of IP, including the costly pitfalls, and the control of digital media while exploiting its numerous beneficial opportunities.