From 6 April 2014, every business, charity and community amateur sports club will be entitled to an annual "employment allowance" of £2,000 to reduce their liability for class 1 (NOT Class 1a) secondary employer's National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The allowance is NOT available to domestic employers (i.e. employment of nannies, gardeners, cleaners etc.) Associated employers and employers with more than 1 scheme, irrespective of the number of schemes, will only be entitled to 1 allowance and will need to nominate the PAYE scheme to receive the allowance.

From April 2015 the Government is to abolish Employer NIC for those under the age of 21 , with the exception of those employees earning more than the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) which is £42,285pa or £813pw in 2015/2016. The employee will need to be under the age of 21 at the start of the tax year.

Chancellor George Osborne presented his fourth Autumn Statement to the House of Commons on 5 December 2013.  For more information click here. 

For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/government/news/autumn-statement-5-december-2013

It is vitally important that all employers now consider their obligations under the governments new "auto enrolment" legislation.  Over the next 4 years ALL employers will need to register ELIGIBLE employees into a scheme.  This is mandatory for ALL employers.  For more information go to:

https://sage-exchange.co.uk/news/pension-auto-enrolment

or

http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers/getting-ready-for-automatic-enrolment.aspx

An employer can find out its STAGING DATE by going to:

http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers/tools/staging-date.aspx

and entering the employer Scheme Reference.

Wolfson Associates will provide support to all clients over the coming years to help ensure that they are compliant with the new legislation.

In October 2013 HMRC have issued new guidance notes:

Building & Construction; and

Catering & Take-away Food

Please click on title for link to guidance notes

HMRC have issued a new Guide to VAT - Leaflet 700 in August 2013 (This replaces the previous notcice issued May 2012).

They have also issued an amended guide "How to correct VAT errors and make adjustments or claims" leaflet 700/45 (this replaces the previous document issued Oct 2012).

Click on leaflet reference to download a copy.