Real-time financial reports 24/7

At Williams Denton we know that business owners are best served making money, not counting it.

The chances are that the reason you started a business was not because you enjoy filling in spreadsheets, filing invoices and collating receipts.

This is why so many North Wales businesses are switching to cloud accounting package Xero.

Xero is designed to save your most valuable resource – time – freeing you up to do what you do best.

As a cloud accounting package, you can access your Xero accounts any time, anywhere using a laptop, tablet or smart phone.

Like many cloud accounting programmes, you can create invoices and receipts and record expenses to track your cash flow online.

However, Xero also offers automated bank feeds, for quick and easy reconciliation.

Best of all this gives you real-time financial reports, with up to the minute information in the palm of your hand, all day, everyday.

To book a free demonstration and find out how Xero could work for your business contact Williams Denton on Llandudno 01492 877478 or Bangor 01248 670370. http://www.williamsdenton.co.uk

Williams Denton becomes North Wales ATOL certified accountant

Williams Denton has become one of a select number of firms certified to provide accountancy services to travel and tourism companies that offer Air Travel Organisers Licensing (ATOL) protection to their customers.

ATOL protection ensures that those travelling abroad can return home, without incurring extra costs, should the company they are travelling with go bust during their foreign stay.

Travel companies subscribing to the scheme must submit financial reports to the body, which must now be produced by ATOL certified accountants.

Martin Barrett of Williams Denton in Llandudno said: “Until 31 March 2016, any accountant could create a financial report for ATOL. However, the new stringent regulations mean that accountants must undergo ATOL training, sit an exam and acquire a licence before being able to submit reports.

“The certification shows that accountants have a specific understanding of the travel industry and – most importantly – ATOL’s financial reporting requirements.”

If you have any questions about the ATOL report requirements contact Williams Denton in Bangor on 01248 670370 or Llandudno on 01492 877478.

One in four missing out on Marriage Allowance tax break

Fewer than one in four couples eligible for the Marriage Allowance are claiming it, according to HMRC.

The Marriage Allowance allows a person to transfer £1,100 of their personal allowance to their spouse or civil partner. It can mean a tax reduction of up to £220 in this tax year, and can be backdated to April 2015 to reduce tax paid by up to £432.

To benefit as a couple, the lower earner must have an income of up to £11,000, while the higher earner should earn no more than £43,000.

In summary, you can take advantage of Marriage Allowance if:

• You’re married or in a civil partnership;
• You don’t earn anything or your income is under £11,000;
• Your partner’s income is between £11,001 and £43,000.

Those in receipt of pensions or living abroad, who still get a personal allowance, are also eligible.

The Marriage Allowance is different to the Married Couple’s Allowance, as the latter is only available to those born before 6 April 1935.

There is more information on tax rates and allowances here: http://www.williamsdenton.co.uk/resources/tax-rates-and-allowances

For a review of your tax allowances, contact Williams Denton on Bangor 01248 670370 or Llandudno 01492 877478.

Williams Denton offers free P800 checks in North Wales

If you are a UK taxpayer, chances are that at some point you will have received a P800 tax calculation.

These documents are produced by HMRC and are issued when it feels you have under or overpaid tax.

Generally computer-generated, the P800 tax calculations are far from infallible and with more being issued, Williams Denton is now offering a free review service.

Keith Barker of Williams Denton, Bangor, said: “Once P800 tax calculations were only issued to those not under self-assessment, but that is no longer the case.

“We are aware that some are issued to taxpayers who have already submitted a tax return with their Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number and HMRC has not linked the UTR with the National Insurance Number.

“If you have variable income, for instance through rental properties, the P800 may include unverified figures.”

Anyone receiving a P800 tax calculation is advised to thoroughly check all of the details are correct by comparing the figures with their own records.

If the calculation is correct, then there isn’t any need to take action. Anyone who has overpaid will automatically be sent a cheque within 14 days of receipt of the P800.

Those who have underpaid will usually be notified that their tax code will change to recover the funds. If this can’t be collected through the tax code, a letter from HMRC will be issued explaining how to pay.

Keith added: “At Williams Denton we are able to conduct a free tax review to check your P800 tax calculation is correct, so I would urge anyone with doubts to get in touch with our offices in either Bangor or Llandudno.”

If any subsequent work is needed to claim a tax refund or reduce a tax liability Williams Denton will provide a quote in advance.

 

Fears North Wales landlords aren’t signing up to Rent Smart

Concerns are being raised that many private sector landlords in North Wales have yet to register with the Welsh Government’s Rent Smart Wales scheme.

The scheme requires all self-managing landlords and letting agents to register their properties and undergo training to become licensed. 

Landlords and agents have been given until 23 November to comply with the new legislation, after which date it will be an offence to let or manage a property without the correct licence.

Adam Owens of accountancy firm Williams Denton said that with just over a month until the scheme becomes a mandatory requirement, there is evidence that many private landlords have yet to sign up.

He said: “A Freedom of Information request by Welsh Liberal politician Peter Black has revealed that just 1,565 Swansea landlords had registered with Rent Smart Wales by the end of August.

“That is estimated to be around a fifth of those required to do so. 

“If Swansea is typical of Wales as a whole, then clearly there is a way to go for all landlords to be compliant.” 

Rent Smart Wales estimates that 8.3 per cent of Swansea homes are privately rented, which equates to around 7,500 properties.

Mr Owens added: “This is a legal requirement, so landlords in North Wales should make sure that they are registered before the November deadline.

“Online registration for the scheme takes minutes, but the licensing application itself can take up to 8 weeks to process.”

Rent Smart Wales aims to drive up standards in the private rented sector by ensuring that all managing landlords and agents become licensed.

Welsh Government maintains the scheme will help prevent rogue landlords and agents while protecting tenants and giving local councils a better understanding of where rental properties are situated.

 

Digital tax system delayed

Business in North Wales will not have to move to a digital taxation system until at least 2019, it’s been revealed.

HMRC has announced it is delaying the roll out of the new digital system following concerns from businesses.

Speaking at the HMRC annual conference, financial secretary to the Treasury Jane Ellison MP said: “You told us that the smallest businesses might struggle to keep their records online – so we exempted over a million more landlords and small businesses from the proposed changes.

“You also told us that even slightly larger businesses might need more time to prepare for the new system – so we have proposed deferring the introduction of any changes to 2019 for those businesses too.”

The plans are touted as aiming to create one of the most digitally-advanced tax administrations in the world.

They would see the end of the annual tax return to be replaced by a personalised digital service through which taxpayers would be able to send and receive information to HMRC at the click of a button.

However, many business owners voiced concerns that the plans could also mean quarterly rather than annual tax returns, putting an additional burden on SMEs.

Janet Jones of Williams Denton said: “The delay is a sensible move and likely to be a relief to many North Wales businesses, which may have struggled to implement the changes on the initial timescale.”

HMRC has published six consultations on its proposals for a new digital tax system. To view the documents and have your say, click here.

Community filmmaker launches sponsorship appeal

A fast-growing Conwy community project is appealing to the North Wales business community for sponsorship as it looks for new premises.

TVConwy, which trains volunteers to create films of events in the county, has grown in popularity over the three years since its launch. It’s recent video, of a fire on the Sychnant Pass achieved more than 71,000 views on Facebook.

Founder Debbie Braden explained: “We have a number of sponsors including leading companies like Williams Denton accountants, Cartrefi Conwy and Quinton Hazell Enterprise Parc, and their support is crucial.

“In the last six months our work has grown as more people hear about us and we are really in need of a base where people can easily find us.”

TVConwy has no paid staff and relies on sponsorship, grants and goodwill to keep operating.

It has seen former volunteers move on to the well-regarded media and digital media specialist college Ravensbourne in London as well as a number of universities.

Debbie, whose media career has spanned three continents, set up the community interest company to pass on her skills and recognise the variety of events and activities taking place in her home county.

“This part of North Wales is an incredibly vibrant place to be and we want to recognise that,” she said. “Just recently we interviewed explorer Ash Dykes, filmed the historic Flying Scotsman and of course tourist events like the Conwy Pirate weekend.”

Adam Owens of accountancy firm Williams Denton said that TVConwy was performing an important role in helping aspiring filmmakers.

“The commitment of Debbie and her team to encouraging people of all ages to create films about the county is inspiring,” Janet said.

“The experience that volunteers are getting at TVConwy has helped open doors on new careers for young people in a highly competitive area, as well as sharing community stories. We think that is worth supporting.”

Along with it’s work championing younger people, TVConwy has achieved lottery funding to run ‘Through Older Eyes’ courses across the county and expand its volunteer base to reach a wider section of the community.

 

 

10 responsibilities of trustees

Becoming a trustee of a charity can be a good way to support a cause that is important to you, but the role comes with significant responsibilities.

A trustee has overall legal responsibility to control and administer a charity or trust, but can have a variety of titles such as governors, committee members or directors. Regardless of the title, the role of a trustee is set out in the charity or trust’s constitution and they must act collectively to govern the organisation when making decisions.

Here are some of the responsibilities and legal obligations to expect when accepting a trustee role.

Trustees must:

1. Work collectively as a board and take decisions at formal board meetings so that once a decision has been collectively made all trustees are bound to support it.

2. Operate within the rules of charity or trust, which may be a trust deed, constitution or Memorandum and Articles.

3. Adhere to the rules of law, such as the Trustees Act 2000 or the laws of the Charity Commission.

4. Not benefit financially from their position, such as make a profit or purchase trust property without the approval of the board.

5. Not receive payment for undertaking their duties unless authorised by the trust itself or laid down in its constitution.

6. Trustees have a duty to safeguard the aims of the trust and its property. They must also act impartially when making decisions.

7. Keep proper records and accounts for submission to Companies House and the Charity Commission.

8. Act unanimously in any decision they make or by a majority rule in a charity trust.

9. Seek advice before setting up a trust fund or reviewing the investments. They also have a duty to transfer trust property and income to the correct beneficiaries.

10. Produce information and documents – such as accounts – relating to their work when required by those who have the right to ensure the trust or charity is administered properly.

Most people over the age of 18 can become a trustee as long as they have not been previously disqualified as a trustee or company director, be an undischarged bankrupt or have certain unspent criminal convictions.

All of the eligible requirements to become a trustee are available from the Charity Commission. Some charities or organisations may have specific restrictions of their own.

If you have any concerns about the financial aspects of becoming a trustee, contact the Williams Denton team on Bangor 01248 670370 or Llandudno 01492 877478.

How Employment Allowance can save your business up to £3,000

Employment Allowance has been increased recently, allowing employers a reduction of up to £3,000 a year from their National Insurance contributions.

Introduced in April 2014 the allowance is aimed at supporting businesses and charities by cutting the cost of employment.

Employers can only claim against Class 1 National Insurance up to a maximum of £3,000 each tax year. They can still claim the allowance if they’ve paid less than £3,000 a year.

The allowance will reduce employer’s (secondary) Class 1 each time they run a payroll until the £3,000 has gone or the tax year ends.

Those who can claim Employment Allowance include a business or charity (including a community amateur sports club) paying employers Class 1 National Insurance. Employers can also claim if they employ a care or support worker.

If businesses have more than one employer PAYE reference, they can only claim Employment Allowance against one of them.

Employers Allowance can be claimed at any time in the tax year. Those that are ineligible to claim include:

• The director and the only paid employee in the company.
• Personal, household or domestic workers (eg a nanny or gardener) – unless they are a care or support worker.
• Public bodies or businesses doing more than half of their work in the public sector (i.e. local councils and NHS services) – unless they are a charity.
• Service companies working under ‘IR35 rules’ whose only income is the earnings of the intermediary (i.e. personal service company, limited company or partnership).

Employers can claim through their HRMC payroll software, by putting ‘Yes’ in the ‘Employment Allowance indicator’ field next time they send an Employment Payment Summary.

To find out more about how to claim Employment Allowance contact the Williams Denton team on Bangor 01248 670370 or Llandudno 01492 877478.

Understanding the register of People With Significant Control

A new law, which came into effect this year, requires all companies to keep a register of the people who can influence or control a company.

Referred to as People With Significant Control (PSC) limited companies and LLPs now have to create and maintain a public register of PSCs.

The information has to be included on the new confirmation statement, which has replaced the annual return filed at Companies House.

The register is one of the changes brought about by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, which aimed at creating greater transparency in the ownership and control of UK companies.

Those who fail to comply with the new legislation are committing a criminal offence.

To understand who should be included on the register, a PSC is a person who has absolute decision rights over the running of the business of the company, such as amending a company’s business plan or changing the nature of the business.

It also includes those making additional borrowing from lenders or who appoints or removes a CEO.

PSCs are recognised if they establish or amend any profit sharing, bonus or incentive schemes and have the grant of options under a share option or other share based incentive schemes.

If they are significantly involved in the management and direction of the company and whose views influence decisions made by the board then they are regarded a “shadow director” and also fall in the definition of being a PSC.

Exemptions from the PSC register are those who provide advice or direction in a professional capacity such as a lawyer, accountant, tax adviser or management consultant.

If the direct interest lies with a company registered outside the UK, then the scrutiny of the full group structure is required until an individual or UK registered company can be identified as the PSC.

There are five separate conditions when identifying as a PSC.

These are:

• Holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25 per cent of the shares in the company.
• Holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25 per cent of the voting rights in the company.
• Holds the right, directly or indirectly, to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of the company.
• Has the right to exercise, or actually exercises, significant influence or control over the company.
• Exercises significant influence or control over the trustees of a trust or partners of a firm, where that trust or firm is not a separate legal entity, but where those trustees or partners would otherwise meet the conditions above

The company has an ongoing obligation to maintain the register and investigate when it believes there may have been a change in PSC.