The Active Business Series

Welcome to Gibson Hewitts "Practice Updates", where we aim to keep you up-to-date on current topics including HR issues so you are well informed and in the know!

HR Update - Spring 2012
The spring HR update talks you through best practice for appraisals, preparations for the Diamond Jubilee, and our Case Law feature looks at holding a disciplinary hearing in an employers's absence....More

Red Tape Regulation
New business regulations come into effect on two common commencement dates in April and October each year.  Below is our summary of some of the upcoming legislation changes that may affect you and your busiess from April 6 2012.....More

Practice Update - 2012 Finance Bill Draft Clauses
As promised the Government has published the draft clauses of the Finance Bill 2012 three months prior to the Budget on 21 March 2012.....More

HR Updates - Managing Staff Through tough Times
Its been a tough few years for lmost businesses and it seems that 2012 will see even greater challenges if economic forecasts are to be believed.....More

Effective Sales Planning
The ability to predict realistic sales levels is essential for a business.  Not only does it enable you to identify and deal with any possible cashflow issues, it also makes it easier to plan for growth, to exploit openings in the market, and to manage operations and production.

UK Residence - new statutory test proposed from April 2012
It surprises many people arriving in the UK, or leaving to go abroad,that UK tax residence status is not currently defined by legislation, but hinges on the interpretations of various legal cases, most of which happened decades ago when life was very different.

Does the Bribery Act affect you?
The Bribery Act 2010 came into force on the 1st July 2011 making it a criminal offence for an individual or comercial organisation to offer or receive a bribe to bring about or reward the improper performance of a function or activity.

Successful Retirement Planning
Many people spend time thinking about what retirement might look like financially, and this is particularly important now, especially given the current state of the markets, the economy and interest rates.... 

Tax and your company
Managing a company always presents challenges, and the current year, while offering opportunity to some business owners, is challenging for many as we face continued public sector cuts and tax increases.

Safeguarding your estate
That you should leave something behind for loved ones is a gratifying thought, whatever the size of your estate.  If your assets exceed £325,000 (including any gifts you have made in your last seven years), your legacy could be diminished by a 40% tax liability.

What the Bribery Act means for business.
New laws aimed at cracking down on business bribery have come on stream.  The Bribery Act, which took effect as from 1 July 2011, has been designed to update legislation in some cases dating back as far as 1889 and to bring the UK into line with international laws on tackling corruption.

Tax and your business:  the year ahead.
Don't miss out on tax planning opportunities.  Planning for the year ahead will benefit your business.

Minimising your personal tax liability
This 2011/12 guide is intended to help you and your financial tax planning.  No one wishes to pay more tax than necessary and  good tax planning is an essential component in personal financial planning.

HR Summer Updates
The Working Time Regulations (WTR) are to be amended to update them in light of case law (such as Pereda and Stringer) which has established that workers unable to take their annual leave because of sickness etc. in the current year must be able to carry it forward into the following leave year.

Selling your business
The impact of the current economic climate and the fact that many baby boomers are now retiring is having an increasing effect of the number of business owners looking to sell and persue other interests.

Director Responsibilities
Directors are appointed to manage and run limited companies.  With that comes a range of serious responsibilites:  some specific to the abilities of the individual while others are a matter of legal obligation.  This guide concerns itself with the latter.

2011 PAYE update
From April 2011, many significant changes will be made to the operation of the PAYE system. There are also changes from 2012 that you should be considering now.

Changes to maternity & perternity leave provisions
In April there were two changes to Maternity and Paternity leave provisions.

National insurance planning
In the 100 years since national insurance was first introduced in 1911, it has evolved from the nature of insurance to that of tax. As a result of this part-evolved state, it has many curious provisions that offer scope for some legitimate tax planning.

New rules on capital allowances
There have been some significant recent changes on capital allowances that could influence your decisions on buying business assets in the immediate future.

Measuring your return on marketing investment
In these financially precarious times businesses are constantly looking for ways to streamline operations and cut unnecessary expenditure.....

The Finance Bill 2011
The Coalition Government has taken the new and welcome step of publishing draft clauses for next year's Finance Act.

2011 PAYE update
There have been a number of developments during the last year - Read on for a brief overview of the changes.

CORPORATION TAX REFORM
At the same time as the 29 November Office Budget Responsibility report the government announced details of some of the reforms to corporation tax. 

STARTING A JOINT VENTURE 
If you are thinking of starting a Joint Venture this document is for you.  Find out how to grow your business and see what the benefits and disadvantages of a Joint Venture are.

PENSION CHANGES FROM APRIL 2011
From 6 April 2011, tax relief for pension contributions is restricted.