The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has become law after receiving Royal Assent. The Act paves the way to give consumers rights across the UK, with greater control and clarity over online purchases. It does this by requiring businesses to provide clearer information to consumers before they enter a subscription contract, remind consumers that their free trial or low-cost trial is...
Out of interest
Usury is defined as the practice of making loans that are unfairly enriching the lender. And we must take comfort that most lenders in the UK are limited by legislation to keep rates charged at a reasonable level; unless, of course, you are a loan shark. Banks are the biggest lenders, and you may have noticed that they always charge more...
New law on tipping
Millions of UK workers will take home an estimated £200 million more of their hard-earned cash, as employers are banned from withholding tips under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023. The act received Royal Assent 2 May 2023. Many hospitality workers rely on tips to top up their pay and are often left powerless if businesses don’t pass on service...
Time to renew tax credits
HMRC is currently sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to the 730,000 tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. HMRC started writing to taxpayers on 2 May and expects all packs to be with recipients by the 19 June 2024. Renewal packs with a black stripe across the front page are automatically renewed....
Register an overseas company
An overseas company must register with Companies House if they want to set up a place of business in the UK. This would mean that the overseas company has a physical presence in the UK through which it carries on business. If an overseas company does not have a physical presence in the UK, they are not usually required to register...
Changes to Companies House fees
There have been a number of significant changes in Companies House fees. These changes took effect on 1 May 2024. The last significant change in fees occurred in April 2016. The new fees have been calculated on a ‘cost recovery’ basis meaning that the fees are calculated based on what it costs to provide the services in question. Companies House state...
Tax Diary June/July 2024
1 June 2024 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 31 August 2023. 19 June 2024 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 June 2024. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 June 2024). 19 June 2024 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 June...
Muras Matters: Company Cars Changes to Advisory Fuel Rates
This Bulletin is aimed at company car drivers (and their employers) who are not provided with fuel for private mileage HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have updated their advisory fuel rates for company cars with effect from 1 June 2024. The rates are intended to give guidance to employers about what is an acceptable fuel allowance to reimburse employees for use of...
Do not reply to this letter from Companies House
In a recent email Companies House warned company owners to ignore a letter purporting to be from Companies House. Basically, the letter claims you need to make payment for Enhanced Web Filing Access. This is a scam letter. Do not follow any instructions in the letter. If you want to report receipt of the letter you can follow the guidance on the gov.uk...
What are alphabet shares?
Most small companies are set up with a number of Ordinary shares, let’s say a 100 shares in this example. If there are two equal shareholders, John and Mary, they would each receive 50 shares. In most cases, the rights of the ordinary shares – in this 50:50 example - would entitle the shareholders to receive equal amounts of any declared dividends,...