We are proud to be working with EuansGuide.com

Euan's Guide features disabled access reviews from disabled people and their friends and families.
As Euan MacDonald, founder of Euan's Guide puts it:


"The goal of Euan's Guide is to provide a friendly, honest & empowering alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls and most importantly remove the ‘fear of the unknown’ when visiting a venue for the first time."

 They have already made a great progress and have recently been endorsed by the world famous physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking.

If you are a person with disabilities or have friends and families who may benefit from using their website, please do spread the word and help them gather more reviews.

Rules on Gifts and Christmas Parties

The party season is upon us.

Below is a short, very straight forward guide telling you all you need to know about HMRC rules on Christmas parties, gifts and entertainment.

Gifts To Customers

Gifts to customers would not be allowable unless:

Costing less than £50 and bearing the business name

Excluded would be any item of food drink or tobacco

Gifts to staff

All Christmas gifts to staff are classed as taxable benefits, except if they're deemed trivial. Only then are they exempt from tax.

·         A bottle of wine or a small box of chocolates are examples of a trivial gift. However, a box of wine or a food hamper are seen as a decent present and therefore, not trivial and completely taxable.

·         All gifts of money (apart from Suggestion Scheme awards, see below) such as bonuses must be put through the payroll system and are subject to tax the same as wages.

Staff Christmas Party

Limit is £150 per employee (everyone must be invited)

Client Entertainment

Disallowed 100% no exceptions

Above rules are for income tax / corporation tax and VAT

It is time to complete your 2012/13 Tax Return

If you have not already filed your 12/13 Self-Assessment Tax return with HMRC, now is the time to get your paperwork tidied up.

You are expected to file a tax return if you have taxable income to declare or if you have received a letter from HMRC asking you to file a tax return. Here is an example of a "Notice to complete a tax return".

 

The ultimate deadline for submitting your tax return and paying any taxes due is 31 January 2014. 

HMRC penalties often amount to more than the actual tax you owe. In fact, even if you do not owe any tax at all, you will still receive late filing penalties that are payable regardless of your tax liability.

Below is a summary of how these penalties are calculated for a late tax return. You can find out more about the January deadline and late filing penalties on :  

http://www.bbca.co.uk/#/tax-return-january-deadline/4571969922

1 day late – A fixed penalty of £100.
3 months late – £10 for each following day for up to 90 days i.e. a maximum of £900.
6 months late – A fixed £300 or 5% of the tax due, whichever is the higher.
12 months late – Another fixed £300 or 5% of the tax due, whichever is the higher. 

 

Avoid the last minute rush and send us your information so we can ensure your tax return is filed in time and you receive the best advise.

New Companies House Logo

Companies House changed its logo as of 6 October 2013.

They will be gradually updating stationery as and when stock levels are replaced. During this period you may notice some inconsistency with their stationery and letters.

Previously the logo looked like this:

 Now it looks like:

 Or

Suspicious Emails From Companies House

Companies House has spotted unsolicited/ phishing emails being sent to companies in their name.

You should be aware that Companies House will never ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email. If you have any doubt that an email you receive from Companies House is genuine, please do not follow any links, open any attachments, disclose any personal details or respond to it.

You can read more about these emails from Companies House website at: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/securityAdvice/index.shtml

Changes in National Minimum Wage Rates Take Effect From 01 October

National Minimum Wage Rates per hour are set to take effect from next Tuesday (01 October 2013).

The National Minimum Wage rate per hour depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice - you must be at least school leaving age to get it.

The following rates will come into effect on 1 October 2013:

• the adult rate will increase by 12p to £6.31 an hour
• the rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 5p to £5.03 an hour
• the rate for 16-17 year olds will increase by 4p to £3.72 an hour
• the apprentice rate will increase by 3p to £2.68 an hour

 

High Income Child Benefit Charge

You may be liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge if you OR your partner have an individual income of more than £50,000 and one of you receives Child Benefit. The charge is payable to HMRC as part of your personal income tax liability.

If this applies to you and you have received Child Benefit since 7 January 2013, you must register for Self-Assessment before 5 October 2013. Failure to register before this date may result in penalty charges from HMRC. HMRC defines a partner as:

• A person you are married to and living with – or have lived with during a tax year – and not permanently separated from
• A civil partner you are living with – or have lived with during a tax year – and not permanently separated from
• A person you are living with – or have lived with during a tax year- as if you are married or a civil partner.

You will also be affected if during a tax year you have an individual income of more than £50,000 and both of the following apply:

• someone else is entitled to receive Child Benefit for a child who lives with you
• they're entitled because they contribute at least an equivalent amount of Child Benefit towards the child's upkeep, for example pocket money or clothes.

It doesn't matter if the child that is living with you is not your own child.

If you would like to discuss ways to reduce your exposure to the High Income Child Benefit or need help to register for Self- Assessment or completing your tax return please contact us:

Email: Info@BBCA.co.uk

Tel:      0131-2282493

We are proud sponsors of the Hutchison Vale Under 16s Team

We are proud to announce that Bolland & Burke are now sponsors of the Hutchie Vale Under 16s Team. Hutchison Vale is one of Edinburgh's most successful amateur clubs and runs a number of teams from toddlers through to a new Seniors outfit Lothian Thistle.

It is amazing the number of kids who go on from Hutchie to senior teams.The club has previously trained some great players including Lee Griffiths, Steven Whittaker, Gary Caldwell, Kevin Thomson, Kenny Miller, Derek Riordan and many more...

The Under 16s team is coached by the club leader, Tam Smith and have made a great start to the new season. Click Here to see the team fixtures and find details on their upcoming matches.

Starpic Solution

Our friends at Starpic offer a wide range of great services at affordable prices.

 

While having a website may seem like an unnecessary cost if you're not a prolific internet user yourself, a recent survey showed around 70% of the UK's population now has access to an internet connection - that's a big business opportunity you'll be missing out on if you don't have a web presence.

 Starpic can help your business journey, from start to success.

- Website design

- Social Media Strategy

- Customised stationary  

 -Business support

The first meeting is always free!

Give it a try! Only £150: 2 page website+ 1 year hosting+ domain name

Starpic LTD

Hays Business Centre

4 Hay Avenue

Edinburgh

EH16 4AQ

0131 258 4278

office@starpic.co.uk

Low Emission Company Cars

Selecting a low emission car is important to reduce your impact on the environment. It can also help you reduce your fuel costs and tax bill. Below, we have pointed out some of these benefits.

 

Capital Allowances

Since 6 April 2013 tax rules have changed and it is harder to claim capital allowances on the cost of a car.

The current rules are that a 100% first year allowance is available for low emission cars with CO2 emissions of 95g/km or less. 

Cars with emissions between 96g/km and 130g/km are eligible for capital allowances at the main rate (18%), and higher emission cars attract writing-down allowances at the special rate (8%).

Car Vehicle Tax (Road Tax)

Car vehicle tax rates are based on either engine size or fuel type and CO2 emissions, depending on when the vehicle was registered.

Cars with emission < 100g/km are free, 101-110 £10, 111-120 £20 …… over 255 = £480

Benefit In Kind Tax (P11D)

The taxable amount is calculated by multiplying the list price of the car by the applicable percentage which is based on the vehicle emissions.

Zero emission (electric) cars have 0% and are therefore tax free

Otherwise percentages would be on a scale

Co2            Petrol %     Diesel %     Co2                  Petrol %     Diesel %

76-99         10                13                 100-104                11                  14

105-109     12                15                 110-115                13                 16          

150-154     21                24                 155-159                22                 25

205-210     32                35                 210-214                33                 35

215-219     34                35                  220+                    35                 35