HMRC are advising employers that their employees may benefit from accessing their Personal Tax Account. These accounts allow taxpayers to view information about their tax affairs and advise HMRC online about changes that may affect the tax they pay. The services available through the Personal Tax Account include:

• checking income tax estimates and tax codes
• advising HMRC about changes affecting company cars
• using the online forms available to claim tax deductible work expenses or a tax refund
• checking the expected level of their state pension
• renewing tax credits
• advising HMRC of a change of address.

In a recent development the system for registering for this service has been revised and it is now possible to register using your National Insurance Number and P60 information. To register visit https://www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account

Employers may wish to promote the service to their employees as this should result in fewer enquiries being made by them to their payroll or HR departments

Internet link: Employer Bulletin

Now is the time of year when many of us turn our thoughts to holidays and it is important to get holiday entitlement and holiday pay right.

The GOV.UK calculator has recently been updated and can be found by using the following link.

The acas website also includes useful guidance on calculating holiday and holiday pay entitlements.

If you would like help with payroll matters please contact us.

Internet link: GOV.UK calculator

With the referendum votes counted and the United Kingdom vote to exit the European Union there will be many issues to consider.

The CBI commented on the result of the referendum.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

‘The British people’s vote to leave the EU is a momentous turning point in our history. The country has spoken and it’s for us all to listen.

Many businesses will be concerned and need time to assess the implications. But they are used to dealing with challenge and change and we should be confident they will adapt.

The urgent priority now is to reassure the markets. We need strong and calm leadership from the Government, working with the Bank of England, to shore up confidence and stability in the economy.

The choices we make over the coming months will affect generations to come. This is not a time for rushed decisions.

The CBI will be consulting its members and business is committed to working with Government to shape the best possible conditions for future prosperity.’

Internet link: CBI news

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has called for banks and charities to take greater responsibility for those who may be vulnerable to scams.

The CTSI commissioned a report from Bournemouth University’s National Centre for Post Qualifying Social Work into scam victims, and its recommendations to financial institutions and charities include:

• recognising their duty of care to dementia sufferers who could make an ‘unwise decision’ as a result of their cognitive state
• allowing vulnerable people to put a 24 hour delay on new or large transactions from leaving their bank accounts and sending an email or text alerting a carer or loved one at the start of that period
• adopting a default that personal data is not shared without a clear opt in and that it is not held for longer than 12 months before permission is sought again.

This last measure is an attempt to prevent the creation of lists of vulnerable people, which are sold between criminals. According to Trading Standards officers, there are nearly 200,000 potential victims on such lists, who may be targeted by mail or doorstep scams. Victims of scam mail have an average age of 74, and have typically lost more than £1,000.

Leon Livermore, CTSI chief executive, stated:

‘Vulnerability is not a term that is defined in law, which means it is difficult for professionals to introduce measures to protect vulnerable people.

‘We believe that banks and charitable organisations can do more without the need for legislation and that these relatively straightforward asks would lead to a dramatic reduction in detriment.

‘Adult social care faces a massive funding shortfall and people who are scammed are much more likely to need support. These measures will protect our ageing population and reduce the burden on the state.’

Internet links: CTSI news item Guide 

You may remember that we Sponsored Lucas Martin, a student at Manchester University, on trek up Mount Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest peak in Tanzania. We are pleased to report that he successfully reached the summit and returned back safely.  Well done Lucas, for not only for conquering the mountain but also for the work he did with ChildReach whilst in Tanzania. We are glad to have been a part of this and hope that this has enriched both Lucas and the children he was able to work with during his time there. We look forward to being able to publish Lucas’ experience in his own words in our follow up post soon.

In the meantime if you are able to boost his sponsorship fund just a little more you can do through the link Donate