Ray Stewart

New National Minimum Wage Starts Tomorrow

Ray — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:01:51 +0000

A timely reminder...Don't forget that the new minimum hourly wage rates apply from tomorrow - 1st October 2009. This is something that seems to slip by business owners without them realizing each year. For reference the new hourly rates that apply for pay reference periods starting on or after 1st October 2009 are as follows:-

VAT Scale Charges For Old Cars With No CO2 Rating

Ray — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:48:40 +0000

I was speaking to a client this afternoon about VAT Scale Charges. They own and love vintage vehicles and display them as often as possible. These same cars are also used for business purposes. The question was asked as to what VAT scale charge should be used...

VT Transaction Plus Bookkeeping Software – Changes Afoot!

Ray — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:36:10 +0000

I know all of you are aware of how much I love this bookkeeping package. Even now, it is unrivalled for ease of use, flexibility, multi-currency abilities, emailing invoices, editability...the list goes on. This program has been under development for some years now and throughout all that time it has been offered to the world as a free program whilst it was improved, tested and extended in its beta form. Now though, this is coming to an end....

Offshore Bank Accounts – Anything To Declare?

Ray — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:40:43 +0000

Are you aware that the last chance to minimize penalties on monies squirrelled away in offshore bank accounts is upon us? You have until 30th November 2009 to make a New Disclosure Offer. After that, HMRC gets nasty. They already know who you are as the offshore banks have now coughed names and details to HMRC of UK citizens who are customers. So it isn't a matter of if - just a matter of when. There are many reasons why you may be reluctant to come forward and talk to your accountant about this...

Another New Client Mis-treated By Former Accountant

Ray — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:24:50 +0000

It has happened again. I have been introduced to a lovely couple, similar in age to myself, and asked to help them out of a mess. These trusting people had been clients of another local firm of accountants for several years and firmly believed they were being given a full professional service. However...

Ltd Company Filing Deadline Changed At Companies House

Ray — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:53:24 +0000

The government are at it again. Tinkering with deadlines for no real reason other than trying to trip people up and rake in some penalties - which have also gone up as well. The Companies Act 2006 is now in force. The deadline for filing Limited Company accounts has been reduced from...

Do You Know Of The Changes To Pension Ages?

Ray — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:12:43 +0000

I was researching pension information for a client this morning who is about to retire and I found some really disturbing facts out about when we are going to be allowed to retire and draw a state pension. I knew some changes were afoot but I did not know they had actually been decided. It could be just me. After all I have not bought a newspaper in a long time as I do not believe in killing trees for paper to print stuff that is already yesterdays news when it is read. But I was very surprised to learn that the retirement age is moving.

Chris Graduates From Oxford

Ray — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:31:03 +0000

Now that Oxford has done all it can for Chris, what hope is there for the 2009 graduates? The recession is still holding recruitment to minimal levels. By the time things pick up there will be a new batch of graduates coming through next year. The 2009 graduates are in danger of becoming the forgotten year. Such a shame as Chris and his peers are a group of seriously talented young minds and I can't bear the thought that they are going to be let down by the government.

In The Midst Of Life – We Are In Death

Ray — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:04:32 +0000

I heard this many, many years ago at a relative's funeral and never really understood what it meant. I thought it was just a crusty old vicar being bitter. However, when we lost our son Simon in 1991, it took on a sinister meaning for me - everyone else just carried on as normal with no apparant regard for our little family unit suffering such grief and turmoil. It took us some years to climb out of that hole. But this time honored phrase has taken on a new meaning over the last few days once again

Tax & VAT Fee Insurance Is ESSENTIAL For All Businesses

Ray — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:56:32 +0000

I know I have mentioned this a couple of times before but it still annoys me the number of clients that either refuse to pay out the £100 per year or so for the cover, or justify their non-action by thinking "it will never happen to me". Since April 2009 the investigation regime has changed. There were few trumpets and dancing girls to announce the change and consquently, 99% of business people have no idea things have changed and what it might mean for them. HM Revenue & Customs are catching up to the 21st century