May 04

Equality – Gender pay gap reporting

The government has introduced new requirements for all private and voluntary sector employers of over 250 people relating to equal pay reporting from April 2017. The Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/172) mean that large employers must calculate and publish the difference in mean and median pay and bonuses between […]

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May 02

National Minimum Wage rises again

Employers need to ensure they are paying their employees at least the appropriate National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW) rate. The rates increase from 1 April 2017. From1 October  2016 From1 April2017 NLW rate for workers aged 25 and over £7.20* £7.50 the main rate for workers aged 21-24 £6.95 £7.05 the […]

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Apr 27

Auto Enrolment Workplace Pensions and Making Tax Digital | Come to our drop in sessions!

Auto Enrolment Workplace Pensions and Making Tax Digital | Drop in sessions throughout May Things are going to be really busy at Sage & Company in May and we wanted to share our plans with you! We have recently begun to engage our clients in respect of the introduction of Auto Enrolment Workplace Pensions and […]

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Class 4 National insurance u-turn

One of the significant announcements Chancellor Philip Hammond made on Budget Day was the proposed increases to the main rate of Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) paid by self-employed individuals from 9% to 10% from April 2018 with a further increase planned from 10% to 11% from April 2019. The Chancellor subsequently announced that […]

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Dividend Reduction

Apr 24

Reduction in the Dividend Allowance

It was announced in the Budget that the Dividend Allowance will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000 from April 2018. Dividends received by an individual are subject to special tax rates. The first £5,000 of dividends are charged to tax at 0% (the Dividend Allowance). Dividends received above the allowance are taxed at the following […]

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VAT Flat Rate

Apr 19

VAT Flat Rate Scheme – Limited cost trader

Changes are being made to the VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) which take effect from 1 April 2017. These changes may mean that the FRS is less attractive to some businesses and this may result in these businesses deciding to no longer operate under the FRS. In some cases where a trader has voluntarily registered […]

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Apr 17

Providing services to a public sector – off payroll working

In the latest Employer Bulletin HMRC advise those providing services to a public sector client through their own limited company to ensure they are ready for the new rules which took effect from 6 April 2017. The new rules for off payroll working, commonly referred to as IR35 or the Intermediaries legislation, take effect from […]

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Apr 14

Construction Industry – Subcontractor verifications

Construction Industry – Subcontractor verifications HMRC have confirmed in the latest Employer Bulletin that changes will be made to the verification of subcontractors in the construction Industry Scheme (CIS) from 6 April 2017. From now, contractors must use an approved method of electronic communication to verify their subcontractors. So from now on HMRC will no […]

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Apr 12

New Lifetime ISA

The Lifetime Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a longer term tax-free account that receives a government bonus. The accounts are available from now. HMRC have produced a helpful guide on the account. Some of which is reproduced below: Opening a Lifetime ISA You can open a Lifetime ISA if you’re aged 18 or over but […]

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Apr 10

Over £9.2 billion released by pension freedoms

Hundreds of thousands of savers have cashed in £9.2 billion from their pension pots since pension freedoms were introduced in April 2015. In April 2015, the government introduced significant pension reforms giving people the ability to access their pensions savings how and when they want. Over 1.5 million payments have been made using pension freedoms, […]

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Apr 06

Self assessment expense claims

HMRC have released a list of the most outlandish items which have been claimed as expenses. These include: Holiday flights to the Caribbean Luxury watches as Christmas gifts for staff – from a company with no employees International flights for dental treatment ahead of business meetings Pet food for a Shih Tzu ‘guard dog’ Armani […]

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Apr 04

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 March 2017. The guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car. The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or […]

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March-fo-business-tax and legal

Mar 16

March for Business – Tax and Legal Seminar, Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn 22nd March

Sage & Company are keen to help educate and support business owners, especially on the matters of Tax, after the recent Budget. As a firm of local Chartered Accountants we understand the needs of small businesses and their tax & legal requirements very well. We often take part in workshops, business events and luncheons to […]

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Sage and Co Budget summary 2017

Mar 10

Budget Summary March 2017

Budget 2017 Summary from Sage & Co This budget 2017 summary covers the key tax changes announced in the Chancellor’s speech and includes tables of the main rates and allowances. At the back of the Summary you will find a calendar of the tax year with important deadline dates shown. We recommend that you review […]

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Mar 01

COMPANIES – TAX SAVING OPPORTUNITIES

COMPANIES – TAX SAVING OPPORTUNITIES Due to the ever changing tax legislation and commercial factors affecting your company, it is advisable to carry out an annual review of your company’s tax position. Pre-year end tax planning is important as the current year’s results can normally be predicted with some accuracy and time still exists to […]

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Feb 22

RAISING FINANCE

WHO NEEDS FINANCE? Every business from its commencement and through its development and growth will need finance. But what type of finance is best suited to the development of your business, and who should you approach for funding? We provide guidance below on types of finance available and outline the planning required before approaching any […]

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Sage-at-March-for-Business-blog-post

Feb 14

March for Business – Finance & Funding, Ruthin Castle 1st March

March for Business – Finance & Funding, Ruthin Castle 1st March Sage & Company are keen to help educate and support business owners, whether this is to grow the organisation, purchase a business/asset or perhaps understand what types of funding are available. As a firm of local Chartered Accountants we understand the needs of small […]

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Nov 18

Preparing for your Accountant

Whether we are producing your accounts or carrying out your annual audit, being prepared for us will ensure our work is carried out smoothly and efficiently and with the minimum disruption to yourselves. You may also be able to help by preparing some of the routine schedules for us. This will mean our time can […]

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Nov 16

Starting Up In Business – Our Handy Guide

Starting Up In Business It is the ambition of many people to run their own business. Some may have been made redundant and find themselves with free time and financial resources. Others make the decision to start up in business to be more independent and obtain the full financial reward for their efforts. Whatever the […]

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Securing Business Success

Jan 05

Securing Business Success

As many as half of all businesses fail in their first three years of trading . A contributor to ensuring business success and avoiding failure is to know your enemies. Generally the main reason for the high failure rate of small newly established businesses is when the owner lacks experience in managing all aspects of […]

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From first going self-employed to starting a limited company, the fantastic accountants at Sage have talked me through the processes and looked after all things accounts-related, leaving me with peace of mind; free to focus on the day-to-day operating of the business. Sage handles everything for me from payroll to tax returns and their service is flawless; when I need something its done; when I need info I get it. All of their staff are friendly, professional, efficient and patient and I couldn’t manage without them.

 

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