Using a dedicated book-keeper is an astute business strategy, enabling you to better utilise your time for your key business activities.

New business owners often underestimate the time and effort that their book-keeping will take. This can lead to poorly kept records, resulting in increased accountants costs – not to mention the underlying stress!

Using Ian Ellis-Hall Book-keeping Services can save you time and money, by ensuring:

• You have up-to-date books and an accurate financial picture of your business;
• You can devote more of your valuable time to your business;

So why not call NOW for your 1 hour FREE consultation?

Don’t forget that VAT increases from 17.5% to 20.0% on January 4th 2011.

If you are using accounting software or spreadsheets, you will need to adjust the VAT rate accordingly on this date; however, don’t adjust it before you have processed all items dated prior to the 4th!

If you are not submitting your Self Assessment return online, you need to file your paper return for previous tax year by the end of October if you wish HM Revenue & Customs to calculate your tax and tell you how much you need to pay before 31 January. If you received notice to complete a tax return after 31 July, refer to it to check your deadline. You may incur a penalty if you fail to file before the appropriate date!

Alternatively  give me a call! I can help you to file your return online. There’s still time  to collate your information for filing prior to 31 January 2011.

Regional employer NICs holiday for new businesses

The Regional Employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) Holiday is available to new businesses for a limited period and subject to meeting certain conditions. New businesses may be able to qualify for a reduction of up to £5,000 of the employer NICs that would normally be due – for each of the first ten employees they take on. This means a potential aid to business of up to £50,000.

For more information, go to the BusinessLink website – http://www.businesslink.gov.uk

If you are a user of the 2010 Employer CD-ROM, then you should download this update (version 2.1.0) from the HMRC website. This will ensure that your product will be compatible with future releases planned for 2011.

Web link: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/cdrom/index.htm