Accounting News - March 2013

	The Budget Statement 2013 Unveiling his fourth Budget since the coalition came to power, Chancellor George Osborne promised that this would be a Budget for an “aspiration nation” which recognised that Britain had to work its way to economic recovery, telling them: “We are on your side.” Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, Mr Osborne announced a range of measures, including tax breaks for businesses, help for homebuyers and billions of pounds for infrastructure projects.more
	New era begins on residency rules A new statutory residence test that comes into effect on 6 April 2013 will have significant implications for people considering moving to or from the UK. From the start of the 2013-14 tax year, under the automatic overseas test, an individual will now automatically achieve non-resident status if they have been non-resident in the UK for the last three tax years and spend 45 days or less in the UK in the current tax year. The limit drops to 15 days if they have been resident in the UK for one or more of the last three tax years. more
	HMRC steps up RTI drive Every employer in the UK has started receiving a letter telling them what they need to do to get ready for the introduction in April of Real Time Information (RTI) payroll reporting. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) started sending out the letters in mid-February, explaining RTI, which means they will need to report tax, national insurance and other deductions to HMRC every time they pay their employees, rather than only once a year. more

Defaulters ‘named and shamed’

The names of deliberate tax defaulters have been published on HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) website for the first time.

The list of nine names, released on 21 February, also includes penalties imposed for their defaults and the amount of tax on which those penalties are based. Penalties range from £2,336 to £291,830 and the amounts of tax due from £3,337 to £447,904. more

Spotlight shines on parental leave

Employers are being asked for their views on a new system for shared parental leave and pay.

A consultation launched on 25 February will also look at how the new system will fit together with current arrangements for maternity and paternity leave and adopters and its findings will feed into the Children and Families Bill 2013, introduced earlier in February. more

Taxpayers warned on rebate scams

Tax chiefs have issued a renewed call to taxpayers not to fall victim to email scams as new figures revealed that almost 80,000 tax rebate phishing emails were reported to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in 2012.

Although HMRC never sends emails about a tax rebate, fraudsters email their targets, saying they are entitled to a tax refund if the taxpayer provides personal, credit card or banking details. more

Businesses benefit from £1bn loans boost

New research has shown that a government scheme designed to help thousands of smaller businesses has helped them access over £1 billion in loans in less than three years.

A study by Durham Business School found that the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG) has helped more than 10,000 businesses access £1.04 billion of loans since May 2010. more

Employers get guidance on workplace first aid

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new draft guidance to help employers get to grips with proposed changes to workplace first aid.

The two guidance documents have been issued following a consultation on proposals to amend the First Aid Regulations (1981) and remove the requirement for the HSE to approve first aid training providers. more

Helpline cuts down on tribunals

Independent research has found that a free helpline has averted around 14,000 employment tribunals a year.

The helpline run by employment relations organisation Acas is a confidential national service available for anybody who has questions about workplace issues or employment rights, which can help both employers and employees avoid the cost, stress and time of an employment tribunal. more

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