Newsletter – June 2015

eNews – June 2015

In this month’s eNews we report on a number of issues including the announcement of the date of the Summer Budget and the latest advisory fuel rates for company car drivers.

We also report on guidance issued to charities on VAT reclaims and payroll processing together with the end of the paper counterpart to the photo driving licence.

Please contact us if you would like further information.

Government announces date of Summer Budget

The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has announced that there will be a Summer Budget on Wednesday 8 July 2015.

Mr Osborne admitted that it was unusual to deliver two budgets in one year, but said he didn’t want to wait to ‘deliver on the commitments we have made to working people’.

‘It will continue with the balanced plan we have to deal with our debts, invest in our health service and reform welfare to make work pay.’

‘But there will also be a laser-like focus on making our economy more productive so we raise living standards across our country’ he added.

We will keep you informed of the pertinent Budget announcements.

Internet links: GOV.UK news BBC news

65+ Guaranteed Growth Bonds a success

HM Treasury has announced that the National Savings and Investments 65+ Guaranteed Growth Bonds have been bought by more than a million older savers, who made total investments of over £13 billion. These investment figures make the product the best-selling retail financial product in Britain’s modern history.

The ‘65+ Guaranteed Growth Bonds’ from National Savings and Investments went on sale in January 2015 and offered savers aged 65 and over an opportunity to boost the return on their savings by investing up to £10,000 per bond at fixed annual interest rates of 2.8% for one year bonds and 4% for three year bonds.

The Bonds are no longer available to purchase with the investment window closing on 15 May 2015.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

HMRC issue guidance on VAT reclaims by qualifying charities

HMRC have issued guidance on VAT reclaims by ‘qualifying charities’ under recent changes to the rules. ‘Qualifying charities’ for this purpose are those concerned with palliative care, air ambulance, search and rescue and medical courier charities.

The guidance details which charities are eligible to use the refund scheme to claim a refund of VAT incurred on goods and services used for their non-business activities. It also covers issues such as what to do when circumstances change, what falls within the scope of the refund scheme and how charities can make a claim.

If you would like any guidance on this or any other VAT or charity issue please do get in touch.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

HMRC payroll guidance – harvest casuals and casual beaters

HMRC have issued useful guidance for those employers who pay casual employees working outdoors harvesting perishable crops, or as casual beaters for a shoot.

The guidance outlines the specific circumstances which must apply in order for these employees to be paid without the deduction of tax. The guidance also stresses that their pay is still taxable income and these employees must ensure that any tax due is paid.

Monthly penalties (of between £100 and £400 depending on the size of the employer) now apply to broadly all employers who fail to submit necessary information to HMRC via the Full Payment Submission (FPS) on or before the time wages are paid to employees. It is therefore important that the rules are complied with and returns are submitted on a timely basis.

Please contact us if you would like help with payroll issues.

Internet links: GOV.UK news GOV.UK late return penalties

Driving licence paper counterpart no longer valid

The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency has announced that with effect from 8 June 2015 the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued. The paper counterpart was introduced to display driving licence details that could not be included on the photocard. These additional details include whether the licence holder is entitled to drive some additional vehicle categories and any endorsement/penalty points. The DVLA is advising that the paper counterpart should be destroyed after 8 June 2015. Licence holders still need to keep their current photocard driving licence.

Those with apaper driving licence (issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998) need to be aware that these licences will remain valid and should not be destroyed. However where a licence holder needs to update their licence photocard licences will be issued.

From 8 June 2015 new endorsements will be recorded electronically, and will not be printed or written on either photocard licences or paper driving licences.

This means that from 8 June 2015 neither the photocard driving licence nor the paper licence will provide an accurate account of any driving endorsements a licence holder may have. This information will instead be held on DVLA’s driver record, and can be checkedonline, by phone or post.

This change does not affect photocard licences issued by DVA in Northern Ireland.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 June 2015. Please take care to update your expenses payments and note that only some rates have been amended. However, the guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car.

The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 June 2015 are:

Engine size Petrol
1400cc or less 12p
1401cc – 2000cc 14p
Over 2000cc 21p

 

Engine size LPG
1400cc or less 8p
1401cc – 2000cc 9p
Over 2000cc 14p

 

Engine size Diesel
1600cc or less 10p
1601cc – 2000cc 12p
Over 2000cc 14p

Other points to be aware of about the advisory fuel rates:

  • Employers do not need a dispensation to use these rates. Employees driving employer provided cars are not entitled to use these rates to claim tax relief if employers reimburse them at lower rates. Such claims should be based on the actual costs incurred.
  • The advisory rates are not binding where an employer can demonstrate that the cost of business travel in employer provided cars is higher than the guideline mileage rates. The higher cost would need to be agreed with HMRC under a dispensation.

If you would like to discuss your car policy, please contact us.

Internet link: Advisory fuel rates