"You cant teach old dogs new tricks"
 
We’ve often heard this line, trotted out to excuse lazy habits or to create a smoke screen to avoid learning new skills.  It’s an easy ‘out’ and there’s a bit of a grumpy old codger in all of us that really would rather be left alone without interference, bother and new fangled ideas.  Well, if this were true of you, you wouldn’t be reading this on your laptop, desktop or PDA, so we know we’re not wasting our time when we encourage you to embrace new ideas and personal development. 

Updating your IT skills is a very good way to save time and money in your business.  Here at CGA we’ve all just completed our NVQs in Excel, Word and PowerPoint with YH Training www.yh-group.co.uk   We broke bad habits, learned new tricks and made our lives easier; becoming much more efficient and skilled when working with each other and, more importantly, with you.  So, this spring why not take a look at how you work; what’s putting the brakes on your development and where the opportunities are to change that for the better.

Out and about…

This month Chelle and Stacey will both be attending the York and North Yorkshire Business Network meeting on Thursday, 15th April at The Royal York Hotel and also welcoming people for a spot of Numerical Therapy as they present the pre-lunch seminar.  Liam and Claire will also be attending.  If you would like to join them please get in touch with alison@cga-york.co.uk   For more information visit: www.the-business-network.co.uk 

Chelle & Stacey will also be attending the Leeds & York Chamber of Commerce lunch on the 14th April at the Hospitium, York.

We will also be exhibiting at the Yorkshire Business Market on 26th April at the Yorkshire Show Ground, Harrogate.  If you are planning to be there, please say “hello” to Stacey and Tor. For more information visit: www.yorkshirebusinessmarket.org 

Weekending…

We’re enjoying a bit of a Spanish flavour this month with the boys enjoying a weekend in Barcelona via Jongleurs in London for a stag do and Chelle jetting off to Spain towards the end of April for a spot of relaxation before her dance competition on 16th May.   Amy has decided to stay closer to home with some time out in Plymouth with her Granddad and Stacey will be seeing Plan B, Live at Leeds and John Bishop.  

And finally…

Alison has just signed up for the Race for Life on Sunday 27th June at York Racecourse.  A fabulous cause, if you would like to sponsor Alison please visit http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/alisonplatt1

And remember, according to Henry Ford, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.” So, don’t be an old dog, learn some new tricks and enjoy the new opportunities they bring.

With all good wishes, Chelle, Stacey, Claire and all the team at CGA.

Payroll Year end

P11D (Expenses & Benefits)
 
We have reached the end of yet another tax year and as such it is that time for payroll year end forms and returns.

Please remember that any PAYE & National Insurance payments due need to be made by 19th April (or 22nd April if paid online) and that the payroll year end forms and returns need to be submitted by 19th May 2010.

If you need any assistance with your payroll year end then please contact Jenna jenna@cga-york.co.uk or Claire claire@cga-york.co.uk at the office to discuss.

If your staff (or you if a Director) have received any benefits in kind in the year ended 5th April 2010 you will need to complete forms P11D and P11D(b) and submit to HM Revenue & Customs by 9th July 2010 and pay Class 1A National Insurance by 19th July 2010.

Benefits include the following, this list is not exhaustive:
•   Taxable use of company cars and vans
•   Private medical insurance
•   Cheap loans
•   Mileage payments (above approved Revenue rates)

If you have paid expenses to your employees and DO NOT hold a dispensation then you will also be required to complete the P11D forms for the year.

If you have any queries or would like assistance completing these forms then please contact the office.

If you do not have a dispensation in place and would like this to be completed, we can complete this on your behalf for a one-off cost of £75 plus VAT.

HMRC Employers CD-ROM
 
You may be aware that some businesses have experienced problems using the Employer CD-ROM 2010 issued during February 2010.

HMRC have been working to identify the reasons why the problems have occurred and then to implement a solution for these.

HMRC published a downloadable update on 19 March at www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/cdrom/download-update.htm

This update has resolved the following three issues which have been reported to them;

1.       Employers who are using the CD-ROM to file their Employer Annual Return online. The figures of the total tax and National Insurance contributions due are not carried forward to the P35 correctly. This will affect employers who either

·         filed their 2008-09 Employer Annual Return online from the CD-ROM, or

·          used the P11 calculator in 2008-09 and finalised the year 2008-09 on the CD-ROM but used another method to file their Employer Annual Return

2.       Employers who have successfully installed the 2010 CD-ROM, but then had problems transferring their data from the 2009 CD-ROM
 
3.       Employers who are unable to open PDF forms (Windows users) 
 
Employers who need the update on a disk because the computer the CD-ROM is installed on is not connected to the internet can order one from the Employer Orderline on 0845 7646 646.
 
Regular updates will be published on HMRC website www.hmrc.gov.uk .  
 
Please ensure that you are using the correct disc/update and if you have any problems then please contact HMRC.  
 
We have found that clients using this disc have had errors during the year and also at the payroll year end both for 2010 and earlier years and if you would like a quote for Sage Payroll software, please contact jenna@cga-york.co.uk.

Got Alliance & Leicester AND Santander Savings?

If you've more than the £50,000 safety limit in Alliance & Leicester and Santander (inc. B&B, Abbey, Asda & Cahoot), they legally become one institution in May (and will share protection). You may wish to discuss this with your Independent Financial Advisor.

Client of the Month - Bluesky HR Group
 
Bluesky HR Group have now added comprehensive Career Counselling services to their existing range of Executive Search, Career Transition and Career Development services to help both companies and individuals deal with a range of career issues. These Career Counselling services enable individuals to recognise their career strengths and to manage their careers in a more effective way. The service allows individuals to identify what they want from their careers and how best to achieve it, to recognise their transferable skills and how to market them, and to realise the options available and how to evaluate them.

The first step is an initial conversation (which is free of charge) and can take place over the phone or in person to help the individual to better understand the career counselling process and what they can expect from it. It will also give them the opportunity to raise any specific questions or issues and allow Bluesky’s Career Counsellor to formulate the most suitable programme to meet their needs. Bluesky’s trained and experienced career counsellors appreciate that any individual may want to address how their personal, home and work ‘lives’ may influence one another and they are therefore sensitive to these issues and the feelings around them.

To achieve effective career counselling takes time, as discussing and clarifying the thinking about career options and opportunities can be a complex process. The Bluesky process will include five of one-to-one meetings of about an hour and a half with a personal career counsellor who will also make use of questionnaires and exercises. These can highlight potential, transferable skills, what really motivates the person and their personal life and work values and be useful to help them to assess the suitability of different career opportunities, training courses and possible work environments. The one to one meetings with the career counsellor are usually arranged at intervals of about one week to allow adequate time for reflection on the discussions and completion of any relevant home assignments and/or research.

So if you have suddenly found yourself out of work and are looking for help dealing with all the issues that has raised and to get your career back on track or you are looking to return to work and get your career moving again after an absence for maternity, paternity or just taking an extended career break or after a successful career to date, are you questioning where it is going or whether you are in the right place and doing the right thing or you just might be considering a change in direction and want to explore other possible routes in more detail and whether they will be suitable for you, then you can certainly benefit from the Bluesky career counselling programme. 

When properly managed, change can be a very positive catalyst.  At the beginning of 2009 we made the decision to change our professional advisors and moved to CGA and we know realise what a smart move that was.  Chelle and the team have taken time to understand us as a business and we have found them to be attentive to our needs and very reliable in their advice.  A firm of accountants should be an extension of your business and this is what we have with CGA.

Chris Waite - Chief Executive
e: chris.waite@blueskyhrgroup.com 
w: www.blueskyhrgroup.com
t: 01759 306892 

Bookkeeping Solution and Support - CGA Sage Lite

CGA have developed a specific bookkeeping package tailored to the everyday needs of our clients. This package has been created using Sage Instant which is easy and simple to use, and ideal for small businesses.

It allows you to keep track of money going in and out of your business, to assist you with your cashflow management.  The electronic bookkeeping package enables you to manage your customers and suppliers, by running up to date reports and prepare VAT return.

Recording your bookkeeping electronically will save you time, provide you with up to date reports, and if you require, allow us to provide management information to help you manage your business more efficiently.

A quick chat with us will help determine the correct level for your business, resulting in you not paying for services you don’t need.  We will also provide you with training telephone support and a help sheet pack to help you.

If you would like more information on the Sage Lite package please contact Amy at the office or email amy@cga-york.co.uk.

Time and Tax Saving Tools

We have recently developed an in-depth range of clever spreadsheets designed to help you with many aspects of your day to day tasks.  The pack is continually growing but to date we have the following available:
 
Bookkeeping Buddy – Designed to help you record your day to day transactions over the course of a twelve month period.  Once you enter your income and outgoings, the spreadsheet cleverly totals up everything for the year to give you an ‘at a glance’ view of your trading performance.  Designed to for businesses with a low number of transactions and under or recently exceeding the VAT registration threshold and not currently using a computerised package.
 
Expense Buddy – You should distribute this spreadsheet to all your employees who reclaim expenses.  If you are using an accounts package, such as Sage, you can enter the nominal codes for the relevant expense code and it will total up how much to post to each nominal code, making the expense claim process much quicker and easier for your business.
 
Mileage Buddy – Used mainly by the self-employed and directors to record their annual mileage only, if there are other expenses then the Expense Buddy should be used.
 
Rental Property Buddy – This should be used by anybody with rental property.  You can record all income and expenditure per property.  The spreadsheet will then calculate total amounts to show ‘at a glance’ profits and losses for the year.
 
Home Office/Licence Fee Buddy – If you make use of your home for business purposes this spreadsheet is for you. 
It will record all your property running costs and allow us to calculate an appropriate allowance for using your home as an office.
 
Personal Finances Buddy – This spreadsheet really is for everybody.  Enter your anticipated income and expenditure for the month then re-visit at the month end to enter actual amounts.  This will allow you to keep a closer eye on what you are spending money on and identify any potential cost savings.
 
These tools are complimentary for all clients and prospects, if you would like a copy of any or all of the spreadsheets please contact the office to ensure they fulfil your requirements and to organise sending these to you.

Tax/VAT Payment Difficulties

If you are having problems paying your Tax and/or VAT, you must contact HM Revenue & Customs immediately.  You can contact the Business Payment Support Service on 0845 302 1435, which is a HMRC service designed to meet the needs of businesses affected by the current economic conditions. 
 
Please visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/business-payment.htm which will give you more information.

Company Car and Van Changes

The taxable benefit charged for the use of company cars and fuel for those vehicles is increasing from 6 April 2010. Say you drive a petrol-powered car with CO2 emissions of 160g/km. In the tax year to 5 April 2010 you are taxed at 20% of the vehicle's list price. From 6 April 2010 the taxable benefit for driving the same car will be 21% of its list price.

The tax position for those who have free fuel with their vehicles is even worse. Until 5 April 2010, the value of the fuel-benefit for all company cars is based on a fixed value of £16,900 multiplied by the percentage used to calculate the car benefit. So there is the combined effect of the increased percentage and the increased multiplier. From 6 April 2010 this value increases to £18,000. This means the taxable benefit of having free fuel for a petrol car with emissions of 160g/km will increase from £3,380 to £3,780. Read More

VAT Payments and New Penalties

From 1 April 2010 all VAT payments made by cheque will be treated as being paid on the day the cleared funds reach the Taxman's account. Previously the VAT was treated as being paid on the working day the cheque reached the VAT Office. A cheque will normally take at least three working days to clear. Where VAT payment is received late more than once in 12 months you may have to pay a default surcharge (a penalty).

The Taxman will exercise his discretion not to charge a default surcharge for VAT periods that commenced before 1 April 2010, where the paper VAT form and the cheque payment are both received on time. VAT cheque payments for periods that begin on and after 1 April 2010 will have to clear the Taxman's bank account by the due date, or surcharges may apply.

Where the VAT return is submitted online the payment for any VAT due must also be made online. However this can cause problems where the VAT due for the quarter exceeds £10,000. Read More

New Rateable Values from 1 April

Business rates are a big fixed cost for many small businesses and it is not easy to move to smaller premises if your sales decline. What's more, the rateable value of commercial properties is revised every five years, normally upwards. The latest revaluation takes effect from 1 April 2010, but it is based on the market value of the property at 1 April 2008, when the value of all commercial property was at an all time high!

If you think you property has been valued too highly for business rates, you can appeal against the rateable value of the property. This can be done online through the website of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA): http://www.2010.voa.gov.uk/rli.

However, before you decide to launch into an appeal you should check what your neighbouring businesses are paying, and whether they have already submitted an appeal against their premises value. You can also do that online on the VOA website.

New Employment Regulations

There are a host of new employment related regulations coming into force on 6 April 2010. This is a brief summary of those regulations that are likely to affect you or your business.

- Fit notes - these replace sick notes issued by GPs and will state what the worker can do, rather than what he or she is prevented from doing.

- Pension date - the date from which the individual can draw the state retirement pension will not necessarily fall exactly on a woman's 60th birthday. For example, a women who reaches age 60 between 6 April 2010 and 5 May 2010 will have a state pension date of 6 May 2010. This date also affects the payment of the employee's NI contributions.

- NI contribution years - individuals who reach state retirement age only have to accumulate 30 full years of NI contributions or credits to gain a full state pension.

April Key Tax Dates

5 End of 2009/10 tax year. Last day to use up your annual exemptions for capital gains tax, inheritance tax and ISA's.

14 Return and payment of CT61 tax due for quarter to 31 March 2010.

19/22 PAYE/NIC and CIS deductions due for month to 5/4/2010 or quarter 4 of 2009/10 for small employers. Interest will run on any unpaid PAYE/NIC for the tax year 2009/10