Business News

Labour’s Autumn Budget is just around the corner (30 October) and many businesses are uncertain of what the next few years may hold for them.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has already warned of a “painful” Budget, with big changes to taxation, funding for public services, and incentives for investment.

For businesses, these changes can influence operational costs and market dynamics, so it is important to prepare your organisation and ensure it is agile and able to adapt.

Possible incoming changes

Labour has proposed focusing on correcting fiscal imbalances while ensuring that businesses pay their fair share towards public funding.

While they have confirmed that there will be no changes to Income Tax, VAT, and National Insurance contributions (NICs), this has sparked speculation about other areas of taxation that they may target.

We could potentially see further changes to certain tax reliefs, such as R&D Tax Credits or capital allowances.

Labour is also expected to review taxes on wealth and dividends, potentially increasing the tax burden business owners and shareholders.

The Government has expressed its interest in supporting green initiatives and social enterprises.

This could come in the form of incentives or grants for businesses restructuring their operations to align with environmental or social goals.

Is it time to restructure your business?

Given the potential tax, regulatory, and incentive shifts, restructuring your business now could provide several strategic advantages including:

Adaptability to change

Restructuring your business can enhance agility, enabling you to better respond to both challenges and opportunities.

For example, breaking large teams into smaller, autonomous units can allow quicker decision-making and better alignment with shifting market demands or regulatory changes.

Key strategies include:

• Ring-fencing key operations – By splitting core functions into separate legal entities or divisions, you protect critical assets from risk, enabling faster adaptation in response to regulatory or economic changes. This method also allows for the easier sale or spin-off of non-core divisions, should market conditions make it advantageous.
• Dynamic decision-making frameworks – Smaller, decentralised units can operate under tailored decision-making frameworks that focus on quick responses to local or sector-specific developments, ensuring that the business is better positioned to capitalise on changes.

Resource allocation

Given the way tax reliefs and incentives are changing, now is a good time to reassess your business’s resource allocation strategy.

Areas to focus on might include:

• Maximising capital allowances – With the annual investment allowance and first-year allowances available for certain capital expenditures, now may be the optimal time to invest in new equipment or machinery. These enhanced allowances can deliver significant tax savings and improve cash flow.
• Utilising R&D tax credits – If your business invests in innovation, you could benefit from Research & Development (R&D) tax reliefs. Large companies can claim RDEC (Research and Development Expenditure Credit), while SMEs may qualify for enhanced deductions or cash payments. This can offset staffing and capital costs associated with innovation and technological advancements.
• Green tax incentives – With Labour’s focus on sustainability, aligning your business with environmentally friendly practices can provide access to tax benefits such as capital allowances for energy-efficient equipment and enhanced deductions for expenditure on clean technology. Additionally, businesses operating in certain sectors may be eligible for grants and tax credits by adopting socially responsible initiatives.

Attract and retain talent

Adapting your talent strategy to meet current challenges can help your business stay competitive, particularly given potential changes to employment law and tax treatment of executive pay.

You might want to consider implementing the following:

• Reevaluating executive compensation structures – Higher taxes on executive pay could make traditional cash-based compensation less attractive. Implementing alternative schemes, such as share option plans (e.g., EMI schemes for smaller companies) or deferred compensation tied to long-term business performance, could mitigate the tax impact while still incentivising key executives.
• Offering non-monetary benefits – In light of potential changes in employment law, businesses should focus on enhancing non-monetary perks such as flexible working arrangements, wellness programmes, or professional development opportunities. These benefits can boost employee retention without raising taxable compensation, while also positioning your business as a more attractive employer to top talent.
• Career growth opportunities – Developing a clear progression path and investing in upskilling initiatives can foster loyalty and morale among employees, particularly in a competitive job market. Aligning roles with the long-term goals of your business not only improves efficiency but also boosts employee satisfaction.

What should you do next?

If your business is considering restructuring, it is better to act early.

Engaging professional advice from your accountants can help ensure your restructuring strategy is aligned with both the current state and future direction of the UK economy.

By proactively adjusting to Labour’s policy shifts, your business can be better positioned for long-term success.

If you would like advice on restructuring your business ahead of the Budget, please contact our team.

Labour shortages, particularly in the hospitality sector, are creating significant challenges for many businesses this year.

Managing your costs while trying to maintain service quality and customer relations can be a difficult balance.

Given the difficulty in hiring sufficient staff, many of you will be investing in technology to increase your efficiency.

Luckily, the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) allows you to deduct the full cost of qualifying equipment, such as IT systems and machinery, from your taxable profits.

This includes investments in automation tools, such as self-service kiosks and advanced ordering systems, which can reduce reliance on labour for repetitive tasks.

Taking advantage of the AIA means you can potentially reduce your Corporation Tax bill while also enhancing operational efficiency.

For 2024, the AIA has been set at £1 million, providing substantial room for investments that may significantly reduce your tax liability and reliance on manual labour.

Utilising apprenticeships and employment incentives

To address staffing needs without incurring prohibitive costs, consider hiring apprentices.

Apprenticeships can provide an effective route to onboard new staff while benefiting from Government incentives.

Employers who hire apprentices under 25 years of age may be eligible for grants of up to £1,000, and the Apprenticeship Levy offers an opportunity to access Government funding for training.

The cost of onboarding and training apprentices is lower compared to hiring more experienced staff, and by shaping apprentices’ skills to meet your business needs, you can help fill existing skills gaps.

The additional funding for apprenticeship training also offers long-term benefits to both the business and the workforce.

Implementing tax-free employee benefits to improve retention

In a competitive labour market, retaining skilled staff is crucial.

To incentivise current employees, businesses can make use of tax-free benefits to enhance job satisfaction.

The trivial benefits exemption allows employers to provide benefits of up to £50 per employee without incurring tax or National Insurance.

While seemingly small, regular employee rewards under this exemption can foster a sense of recognition and appreciation.

Other options include the cycle-to-work scheme, which allows employees to purchase bicycles and equipment without tax implications.

Given the increasing costs of transportation, this can be a valuable perk that also aligns with environmental and health considerations, making it a beneficial offering for both employer and employee.

Hiring overseas workers: Financial and tax implications

Hiring from abroad can help address your labour shortages, but it also introduces additional considerations regarding tax compliance and payroll.

As an employer, you must ensure that all legal requirements for work permits and visas are met, and you should be aware of the payroll obligations involved in hiring non-UK workers, including ensuring correct PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

There are also specific allowances for supporting new hires from overseas.

For instance, the relocation allowance allows employers to provide up to £8,000 towards relocation costs without it being subject to tax or National Insurance.

Offering such support can make your job offers more attractive while still being tax efficient.

Using agency workers: VAT and cash flow considerations

Temporary workers can provide much-needed support when labour is scarce, though it is important to be aware of the VAT implications associated with agency fees.

VAT on labour costs can increase the overall cost of hiring agency workers, and while this VAT can often be reclaimed if your business is VAT-registered, it may still impact cash flow.

You should ensure that their accounting systems are set up to track VAT on agency fees accurately and that they have plans in place to manage these costs effectively.

Alternatively, ask your accountant to manage this for you.

For businesses with limited cash reserves, proactively managing these payments can help maintain financial stability during times of labour shortages.

Remember to use the Employment Allowance!

Remember, your business should be making the most of the Employment Allowance, which allows eligible employers to reduce their National Insurance contributions by up to £5,000 each year.

This can be particularly helpful when seeking to maintain employment levels or take on additional temporary staff without bearing the full cost of National Insurance.

The allowance can also be an effective way to manage overheads while maintaining or even expanding your workforce during challenging times.

If you would like more information or guidance on this issue, please get in touch with our team.

When you’re self-employed, keeping track of essential dates and deadlines can be challenging.

One crucial date to remember is 5 October 2024, which is the deadline to register for Self-Assessment. If you started working as a self-employed individual on or after 6 April 2023, you must register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by this date.

This registration informs HMRC that you will be submitting a tax return for the upcoming year. It’s a one-off requirement, so if you’ve already registered in the past, you won’t need to do it again.

It is wise to register as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute rush. Remember, your first tax return will be due by 31 January 2025, so planning ahead will give you ample time to ensure you have the necessary funds to cover your tax bill.

What if you miss the registration deadline?

If you miss the notification deadline, you might face a penalty for failure to notify HMRC.

However, if you notify HMRC after 5 October but pay your Income Tax in full by the 31 January deadline, HMRC may reduce any late notification penalty to zero.

Additional considerations

You should keep thorough records of all your income and expenses. This will not only help with accurate tax return submissions but also provide necessary documentation if HMRC requests it.

You can complete your registration online through the HMRC website, which is generally quicker and more convenient than paper forms.

Tax rules and deadlines can change, so ensure you regularly check HMRC’s website or subscribe to updates to stay informed about any changes that might affect you.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the registration process or your tax obligations, get in touch with our team and we can support you.

The furnished holiday lettings (FHL) tax regime is set to be scrapped from April 2025, with draft legislation already on the table.

If you own a holiday home, now is the time to get familiar with these forthcoming changes and consider how they could impact your tax liability.

From April 2025, the tax incentives associated with Furnished Holiday Lets (FHLs) will no longer be available, meaning you will lose the advantages that come with the current regime.

Current tax benefits

At present, FHL owners enjoy several tax benefits, such as being able to claim up to £1 million of capital expenditure under the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA).

FHL owners may qualify for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), which offers a lower tax rate compared to standard Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if their FHL activities are deemed a business.

Expenses like mortgage interest can be fully deducted from rental income, reducing taxable profits for FHLs significantly more than for non-FHL properties.

Additionally, income from FHLs is classified as earned income, making it eligible for relief at the owner’s highest Income Tax rate.

What’s changing?

When the FHL tax regime ends, the tax treatment of these properties will likely become similar to that of standard residential rentals. This will result in:

• Interest deductions capped at the basic Income Tax rate.
• Abolition of capital allowances for new expenditures, although relief for replacing domestic items will remain.
• Income no longer counting as UK earnings for pension relief purposes.
• Profit splitting for jointly owned FHLs will also cease, aligning with rules for traditional investment properties where income must be split according to ownership shares. This will remove the current flexibility FHL owners have to optimise their tax liabilities by adjusting income distribution.

What should you do next?

If you are running a FHL business or managing FHL properties, you have until April 2025 to take full advantage of the available tax reliefs. Now is the perfect time to claim capital allowances on your eligible properties if you haven’t already done so.

If you have delayed making a capital allowance claim due to cash flow concerns or a lack of urgency, it is important to act now to secure these tax benefits.

Even if your FHL business is currently running at a loss, claiming these allowances can still be a smart move. It can increase the amount of loss you report, which you can carry forward to offset against future profits.

Plus, you can review and claim allowances for past expenditures as long as your FHL business is still up and running.

Alternatively, you might want to consider selling your property, especially if you planned to do so already, as the sale could benefit from the current 10 per cent Capital Gains Tax relief under BADR.

If you own a furnished holiday let and would like to discuss how these upcoming changes may affect you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

While we’ve made meaningful progress in the global energy transition, the pace is still too slow.

The charity Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) and Aviva Investors have sounded the alarm in their new report, Accelerating the Transition: Assessing Progress and Driving Action.

Despite the shift from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting, emissions continue to rise.

Scientists suggest that we have six years to aim for a 1.5°C limit on global warming but current trends indicate a potential increase of 2.7°C, alongside a significant decline in the natural ecosystems that absorb carbon.

For businesses, this means growing pressure to comply with new sustainability regulations, often with limited resources. But with the right guidance, this challenge can be turned into an opportunity.

How sustainable practices benefit your business

Adopting greener energy solutions is a great step towards reducing your carbon footprint, but it’s also a smart financial decision.

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydro can lead to significant long-term savings, despite the initial costs.

Additionally, businesses that embrace sustainability often see enhanced reputations, attracting customers who value environmental responsibility.

It is crucial to clearly understand the financial benefits of going green. By carefully analysing the costs and savings associated with renewable energy, you can make informed decisions that will pay off over time.

Understanding the financial impact of renewable energy

When considering greener energy options, it is essential to evaluate the full financial impact. This means looking beyond the upfront costs to consider potential savings on energy bills and maintenance over the longer term.

Additionally, there are various Government incentives and grants available that can offset initial expenses and improve your return on investment. Staying informed about these opportunities can provide valuable insights that might otherwise be overlooked.

Tailored energy solutions for your business

Every business is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to energy efficiency. Tailoring your approach to your specific needs and circumstances is key to maximising the benefits of going green.

For example, a small retail business might benefit from simple energy-saving measures like switching to LED lighting or improving insulation. In contrast, a larger manufacturing company could explore more substantial investments in renewable energy generation.

Conducting an energy audit is a practical first step. An audit will identify where energy is being wasted and highlight opportunities for improvement. With this data, you can make informed decisions about the greener energy options that will deliver the best results for your business.

Why now is the time to act

Adopting sustainable energy goes beyond fulfilling regulations by offering a meaningful chance to boost your business, satisfy your customers, and safeguard the environment.

By combining financial expertise with a commitment to sustainability, you can make decisions that benefit everyone.

If you’re ready to explore how sustainable practices can benefit your business, we’re here to help. Please get in touch for tailored advice and support.

Your environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy might just pave the way to growth for your business.

ESG initiatives are increasingly important for businesses in terms of client values and acting ethically. However, tracking and reporting on ESG objectives may also be the key to achieving efficiency and optimised business performance – crucial drivers of growth.

Setting the right goals

ESG is a wide-ranging term which covers many activities, from supporting a charity to taking your office paperless.

It is important that you set goals which make a material difference, but which are also attainable within your business strategy and budget.

Before setting ESG goals, identify areas of your business where efficiencies could be introduced or improved and try to align your objectives with these areas.

For example, if you want to go paperless, consider investing in a document management portal to more efficiently and securely share information.

Tracking key metrics

To accurately introduce ESG initiatives into your reporting, you need to collate and analyse the right data.

For inclusion in your regular financial reporting, this means data relating to cost, efficiency-related savings and the real impact of your initiatives.

Adopting new technologies may allow you to automate the collection and processing of this data into a report on your ESG affairs, further reducing costs which can be reinvested in growth.

Reporting your findings

Integrating ESG metrics and progress into your financial reporting is both an efficient way of seeing how you are performing and measuring the impact of these initiatives on your overall efficiency, productivity and profitability.

This will show you:

• The cost of your ESG initiatives and any return on investment (ROI)
• Areas where ESG has made your business more efficient
• Areas where your processes could be improved and made more ESG-friendly
• Regulatory compliance and areas for improvement
• Projects for ROI on long-term risk management

With further analysis, you can also highlight any positive trends in brand reputation and talent retention that has resulted from engaging with ESG – creating additional space to invest in growth.

This is where we come in, helping you to identify key metrics and keeping track of them alongside your day-to-day finances.

For example, we can help you streamline the time spent on administrative tasks within your business and guide you on implementing a document management system – one designed to introduce efficiencies and save you time and money.

Your accountant is ideally placed to support you with ESG reporting, with access to and insight into your business operations, financial situation and long-term goals. If ESG is a priority for you, make sure to get us involved.

Need to discuss your business growth with the experts? Contact our team today.

Having the right team that aligns with your goals and values is key to the success of your business.

However, many sectors are currently facing a skills and staffing shortage. Government data shows that over one-third of vacancies were skills-shortage related, with around a quarter of all employers having at least one vacancy within their organisation.

Addressing skills and staffing shortages

Chronic shortages of skilled staff can lead to issues for your business that include:

• A high cost of recruitment and training
• Lost or inefficient productivity
• Slower growth
• Poor team morale, which can worsen staff shortages.

It is important to actively engage skilled staff, both prospective and current, with your business and to optimise the efficiency of your existing skills base. This might include:

• Flexible working – It is increasingly common for employees to prioritise work-life balance, which can be supported by flexible hours or hybrid working
• Upskilling – Offering training to existing staff can eliminate the need to recruit and provide progression opportunities to boost job satisfaction
• Compensation – Highly skilled staff will look for appropriate compensation, including salary and benefits, making this a potentially high-reward investment for employers
• Streamlining recruitment – If you work with a recruiter, make sure they are right for your sector and needs
• Outsourcing – You may consider outsourcing a process or service in your business to a specialist external provider, provided they are reliable and gel with your company’s values and goals.

Your ultimate goal is to create a productive, collaborative and happy working environment that minimises turnover rates – reducing recruitment cost and disruptions.

Is your accountant working for you?

Did you know that your accountant can help you to minimise the impact of staffing shortages on your business?

Most obviously, we can support you with your finances, your reporting, tax returns and your business strategy – with input along the way from you, to ensure that your business is moving in the right direction.

Beyond that, we can also advise you on implementing technology and cloud architecture into your business processes, allowing automations and streamlined workflows to ease the burden of skills shortages.

For further advice on staffing your business, please contact our team today.

HMRC has begun to issue ‘nudge letters’ to cryptoasset owners who may have underpaid tax when selling their assets, urging them to amend or submit a tax return.

In this rapidly evolving sector, asset holders are not always clear on what income or profit generates a tax liability.

This follows the introduction of CARF – The Cryptoasset Reporting Framework – earlier in 2024, requiring cryptoasset firms to share customer data with HMRC when requested.

What do I need to report?

Profit on the sale (disposal) of cryptoassets are typically considered to be capital gains rather than income – although income on investments in cryptoassets may be subject to Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

Any gain (profit) you make when disposing of cryptoassets will therefore be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

You will be taxed at a rate of:

• 10 per cent – on gains within the basic Income Tax band, if you pay the basic rate on your income.
• 20 per cent – on gains that exceed the basic Income Tax band, if you pay the basic rate on your income or if you are a Higher Rate taxpayer.

Gains should be reported on a Self-Assessment form via HMRC’s Online Service. HMRC will then tell you how much CGT you need to pay, how to pay it, and when to do so.

Mitigating tax liabilities

If your total gains are less than £3,000 (including any other capital gains you have made in the financial year), then you do not have to report and pay CGT on cryptoassets.

You may consider planning the disposal of cryptoassets before or after the start of a new financial year to maximise each year’s allowance.

You should also make sure that you have applied any allowable business expenses to your taxable profit when reporting investment income for Income Tax and NICs.

Contact us for further advice on cryptoassets and Capital Gains Tax.

The issue of late payments has become a growing concern for small businesses.

Recent data from Xero Small Business Insights reveals that, on average, payments were made 7.3 days late between April and June 2024.

This is an increase of 1.8 days from the previous quarter.

This marks the largest quarterly increase in late payments since the onset of the pandemic – with the retail trade and hospitality sectors hit hardest

This has further strained the cash flow of businesses already grappling with rising inflation and uncertain economic conditions.

Strategies to manage and mitigate late payments

To manage and mitigate the impact of late payments, we suggest you adopt several strategies:

• Clear payment terms: Ensure that your payment terms are clearly stated in all contracts and invoices. Specify the due date, late payment penalties, and preferred payment methods. This clarity can help set expectations and encourage timely payments.

• Invoice promptly and accurately: Send invoices as soon as the goods or services are delivered. Ensure that the invoices are accurate and include all necessary details to avoid delays caused by disputes or misunderstandings.

• Automate invoicing and reminders: Use accounting software to automate invoicing and send payment reminders. Automated systems can help you keep track of due dates and follow up with customers who are late in making payments.

• Offer early payment discounts: Encourage early payments by offering a small discount for payments made before the due date. This can incentivise customers to pay promptly.

• Build strong relationships with customers: Maintain open communication with your customers. Building strong relationships can make it easier to discuss payment terms and address any issues that may arise.

• Assess creditworthiness: Before extending credit to new customers, assess their creditworthiness. This can help you identify potential late payers and mitigate the risk of late payments.

• Legal recourse: As a last resort, consider legal options for recovering overdue payments. While this can be a lengthy and costly process, it may be necessary for persistent late payers.

Managing late payments can be challenging, but you do not have to navigate it alone.

Speak with your accountant or tax adviser to discuss your specific situation and develop a tailored strategy to improve your cash flow.

An experienced professional can provide valuable insights and help you implement effective solutions to protect your business from the adverse effects of late payments.

Speak to a member of our team for more information or assistance.