News - April

From time to time, we produce information for clients on a number of topical and important issues, some of which can be found below:

New Clients ‘Xpect’ the Best

Halesowen Chartered Accountants E R Grove & Co have welcomed digital printing equipment supplier Xpect Digital Solutions as their latest new client.

Changes to the National Minimum Wage from 6 April 2009

Halesowen chartered accountants ER Grove & Co are warning business owners that the government is taking tougher action with those who don’t pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and new penalties will be in force for non-compliance from April this year.

Accountant Superheroes: the power to transform your business

A new online resource from ER Grove & Co Chartered Accountants. In a competitive world, every business needs to look for ways to stay a step ahead of their rivals.

National Insurance Contributions from April 2009

From 6 April 2009, changes have been made to how employers will have to record National Insurance Contributions (NICs) due to changes to the State Second Pension.

New Statutory Payment Rates for 2009/10

The new Statutory Payment Rates for 2009/10 have been announced (subject to Parliamentary approval).

Changes to SSP for Agency Workers

Following the Court decision in the case of Thorn Baker Limited, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have amended the legislation. This was done to restore the Government’s original policy intention that agency workers who have contracts of less than three months should be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) within the first three months of their contract.

Statutory Maternity Leave, Salary Sacrifice and Non-Cash Benefits

Salary sacrifice is a change to an employee’s contractual pay entitlement. It often involves the giving up of some entitlement to pay in return for some other form of benefit, such as employer pension contributions or childcare vouchers. Depending on the sort of benefit involved, tax and/or National Insurance savings can often result for both the employer and employee.

'How to Pay' Changes

During 2009, HMRC will be changing the bank accounts into which businesses and individuals make payments. These changes will be phased in throughout the year but HMRC will keep businesses and taxpayers informed of any changes.

Avoiding and Resolving Workplace Problems

The legislation governing how businesses deal with disputes with their employees is changing from April 2009. The new simpler and more flexible system is intended to save businesses time and money.

PAYE Changes

HMRC have issued a reminder to employers with 50 or more employees that they must send their employee starter and leaver information - P45s, P46s and P46(Pen) for pensions - online from 6 April 2009. As always, failure to comply with these new rules could result in a penalty.

HMRC Warn of Latest Fraud Attempt

HMRC are warning taxpayers of the latest fraud attempt to be reported to them.

Rise in Late Payments to SMEs

According to Bacs Payments Schemes Limited (Bacs) small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) are now owed £25.9 billion. This is apparently due to a 40% increase in overdue payments over the last year.