News & press releases

The behaviour of UK households and their dwindling appetite for debt

In search of that elusive growth — what’s the outlook?

For entrepreneurs and growing businesses the health of the economy will often determine the current focus of the business, as well as its appetite for risk and growth. With the UK economy struggling to gain traction, many businesses are still under pressure.

Housing association executive reward survey 2011/12

This year’s survey gathers key data on executive and heads of function pay and benefits for group and single association structures. A vital data source for executive and Board decision makers in a challenging year.

Planning your global business

We live in a global village, but setting up or expanding overseas can involve additional challenges and risks.

Offshore options for international trade

If you’ve decided to set up overseas, there are a number of offshore business models to choose from. The one that’s right for your business will depend on your strategic goals, your reasons for entering the overseas market, the proposed location and the types of activities you intend to carry out.

Salary sacrifice schemes – no longer free of VAT

Following a recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued new guidance announcing a change in the treatment of 'salary sacrifice' schemes that will impose a VAT charge where the salary sacrifice involves supplies of certain goods and services to employees.

Integrating the operation of income tax and NIC

On 11 July, HMRC announced the preliminary stage of consultation on the integration of the operation of the income tax and national insurance contribution systems.

Ex-gratia payments

An employment appeal tribunal has considered whether what was described as an 'ex gratia' payment in a termination letter was in fact that, or whether it was a payment in lieu of notice (PILON) that the employee was not permitted to work and which would have been a similar amount.

Research and development tax relief

The ability to exploit intangible assets such as patents and brands is an increasingly important and valuable attribute for many companies today. As such the taxation of intellectual property and its impact on encouraging innovation in the UK forms a central part of the Government's ambitions for the corporate tax system.

VAT - debt collection

The ECJ has released the Advocate General (AG)'s opinion on a new case further examining the VAT treatment of transactions involving debt assignment, debt collection and factoring.

Input VAT recovery on deal fees – BAA victory overturned

The Upper Tribunal has allowed the appeal by HMRC in the case involving BAA Limited, reversing a decision of the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) which had attracted much comment.