The Smith Commission is apparently to move Scotland closer to fiscal independence by recommending that it be given full control to set income tax rates and bands. Their report, due to be published today, is expected to confirm that the amount of the tax free personal allowance is not to... read more →

On the 3rd December George will step up to the plate and deliver his last Autumn Statement before the next general election (May 2015). What will he say? No doubt a controlled mix of thrift and pre-election give-a-ways? Here’s a few of our ideas for tax changes next year. We... read more →

In a recent Employment Tribunal case the previous regulations for the way in which holiday pay is calculated has been changed. The law in the UK relating to overtime payments forming part of holiday pay has been strongly against workers since 2004 when the courts, in the case of Bamsey... read more →

Do you ever consider the benefits of leverage when you are looking for ways to increase fees? Consider this example: A client, Joe Smith, approaches you to advise on IHT planning – he is wealthy – personal assets exceed £5m. After researching his family’s options you create a strategy that... read more →

The carrot or stick approach distinguishes strategies that are perceived to be an incentive, or those that appear to be a punishment. Also, a carrot and a stick are quite different: who wants to eat a stick? What if you employ a single strategy that could be seen to be... read more →

How many clients’ affairs do you personally manage? 100,200, 300? In an average working day with how many clients do you actively converse? 2, 5, 10? Do you try and touch base with all your clients on a regular basis? And why would you do that? Let’s take a look... read more →

If you do a reasonable job for clients from time to time they will refer you to other businesses who will eventually, become your clients. Ask practitioners how they market their practice, and in the majority of cases they will say they have no formal marketing processes as they get... read more →

When you provide information to your clients or business prospects as part of your regular news updates, some of the content will be especially relevant. For example, an article in the newsfeed about the availability of the Annual Investment Allowance will be pertinent for clients that are considering a significant... read more →

David Cameron pledged to trim income tax by £7bn in his address to the Conservative Party conference this week. To achieve this he wants to increase the basic personal allowance to £12,500 and increase the income threshold at which earners pay income tax at 40%, to £50,000. On the face... read more →

Last year the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) published a report entitled The Shadow Economy. They estimated that the shadow economy amounted to over £150bn in 2012 – and has no doubt increased since that time. In producing the report the authors admit that: “Measurement of the shadow economy is... read more →