General « Carpenter Box Blog

All news posts for the ‘General’ Category

PAYE mistakes – letters begin to hit doormats

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Following revelations that up to 6 million people have paid the incorrect amount of tax through their PAYE code, HM Revenue and Customs has begun sending correction notices to some 1.4 million people. The unlucky minority have underpaid their tax, and will need to make up the difference.

Between September and Christmas, HMRC says about 4.3 million taxpayers will receive tax refunds after over-paying through the PAYE system.

The errors came to light following the installation of a new computer system and a reorganisation of the way in which employee information is processed by HMRC. Previously the system was centred on employers which meant if a person had more than one job their information might be kept in several different locations. As work patterns have changed and part time and multi employer working has become more the norm, the system has had to be changed.

Any under or over payments will be rectified over the next 12 months by varying the individual’s tax code.

Posted in General, Solicitors, Tax and Wealth Management | No Comments »

Penton scoop ‘Business of the Year’ at the SB Awards

Monday, September 6th, 2010

The Ballroom at the Grand Hotel in Brighton was the setting. The event was the inaugural Southern Business Awards which brought together the winners from business award competitions across Hampshire and Sussex including Worthing, Chichester, Portsmouth, Mid Sussex, Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings. Carpenter Box was sponsoring the manufacturing award which was won by HMD Pumps, Eastbourne, so many congratulations to them.

Southern Business of the Year

The most prestigous award of the evening was the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Goodwood Racecourse. Imagine our delight when Carpenter Box client Penton UK, who manufacture hi-tech voice evacuation and public address systems were called up to the podium by hosts Fred Dinenage and Debbie Thrower.

Penton MD Kevin Tester (pictured afterwards with Carpenter Box Director Alan Edwards who looks after Penton) was almost speechless when the announcement was made, but he was delighted to receive the award accompanied by members of the Penton team.

Well done Penton – a great example of a British company at the cutting edge of design and development.

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Accountants and beer?? Surely not??

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Carpenter Box is amongst the businesses sponsoring The Floating Fish Beer and Music Festival at the Marquis of Granby in Sompting this weekend. In particular we’re sponsoring ‘Sussex Gold’ one of the many beers to be found at the festival.

Of course, it’s all for a good cause – The Worthing and Adur fund which is a community fund set up by the Worthing Chamber of Commerce with the help of the Sussex Community Foundation. The fund aims to support small local charities across, you’ve guessed it, Worthing and Adur! In fact Carpenter Box was the first Corporate Donor to the fund so as you can see, we’re quite fond of the idea of supporting our community. The Beer and Music Festival promises to be a great event with all sorts of entertainment of the alcoholic and musical kind. With over 20 real ales and ciders + a BBQ, comedians and music a plenty it’s going to be a great weekend. The festival runs from noon to 11pm on Saturday 4th September and Sunday 5th September. For more details follow this link.

Posted in Charity, Community, General | No Comments »

South East misses out on NIC holiday

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

The government is preparing to launch its promised national insurance contribution holiday for start-up firms in certain areas of the UK.

The putative date for the launch is 6 September, although it is understood that every detail of the necessary legislation has yet to be confirmed.

Under the scheme, which is designed to help fledgling firms in regions that are economically hard pressed, new employers will not have to pay the first £5,000 of class 1 employer NICs due in the first twelve months of business.

This will apply for each of the first 10 employees hired in the first year of trading.

The scheme is due to run for three years, and firms that have set up since 22 June, when the measure was announced in the Budget, can claim for the tax breaks provided they meet the qualifying criteria.

The countries and regions which will benefit will be Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands and the South West.

However, firms based in Greater London, the South East of England and the Eastern regions will not qualify for the relief. As will certain sectors such as agriculture, fishing and coal.

Posted in Accountancy and Audit, General, Tax and Wealth Management | No Comments »

Handling of complaints by the Legal Ombudsman

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

From 6 October 2010, the Legal Ombudsman will start handling complaints about legal services from clients (see our 5th July blog for more on this story). The current complaints handler, the Legal Complaints Service (LCS), will cease accepting new complaints but will continue to resolve any complaints it received from clients before this date. For the full article follow this link

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A tax on staff car spaces? Please tell us you’re joking!

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Reports that councils may be considering the introduction of a levy on firms with private staff car parking spaces has provoked protest from the Forum of Private Business (FPB) which reacted by saying it is deeply opposed to the scheme.

The workplace parking levy could see firms taxed on the spaces they provide their employees.

The scheme applies to firms with 11 or more parking spaces, with each space currently charged at £250 per year. That figure is set to rise to £350 over the next two years.

Employers can decide whether to shoulder the cost themselves or to pass it on to their members of staff.

Reportedly the aim of the levy is to ease city centre traffic congestion and to encourage more workers to travel by public transport, but we at Carpenter Box think there is more than a whiff of a local stealth tax to this story.

Last year, Nottingham city council was given permission to go ahead with the scheme and is due to introduce a pilot in 2012.

But press reports suggest that other councils may be examining the option as they seek to raise additional funds. For the full story follow this link.

Posted in Accountancy and Audit, General, Solicitors, Tax and Wealth Management | 1 Comment »

Cutting the red tape…

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Here’s a story we’ve all heard before… apparently the government has announced a series of measures aimed at reducing the level and cost of business red tape.

As from 1 September, a new one-in, one-out system will be introduced.

When government departments wish to implement new regulations that impose costs on businesses, they will have to identify current regulations with an equivalent value that can then be removed.

To bolster the approach and to ensure that the cost of red tape is being addressed across the whole of the UK economy, the government is also to introduce other measures.

These include a set of principles of regulation that government departments must apply when considering the effect of new regulations on business, social enterprises, individuals and community groups. Perhaps we shouldn’t hold our breath!

For the full story link here

Posted in Accountancy and Audit, Charity, Contractors, General, Solicitors, Tax and Wealth Management | Comments Off

Just a final word……

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Back safely in the UK now and enjoying the comforts we all take for granted. It was an amazing experience, a complete culture shock but I will go back as there is so much to be done. For now though I am so happy to be back home with friends and family!

Posted in Charity, Eileen's Ghanaian Adventure, General | Comments Off

Last day in the office…………..

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

today and I feel I have achieved what I set out to do – despite the power and weather! Not relishing the thought of the 7 hour bus journey, think I would fly next time however small the plane as it only takes 45 minutes! Definately would like to come back as there are certain projects still to tackle and places and people I want to see but think I would like to bring a friend and come in the dry season! Missing everyone and look forward to seeing you all on my return.

Posted in Charity, Eileen's Ghanaian Adventure, General | 2 Comments »