Growth top of the agenda for SMEs

According to research from Close Brothers Asset Finance, growing a business is top of the agenda for 34 per cent of SMEs.

The quarterly survey of UK SME owners and senior management from a range of sectors also revealed that more than half of firms have already experienced growth in the last 12 months, while a further 37 per cent expect their business to expand during the next year.

The results also highlighted that a significant number of firms are planning to recruit, with 43 per cent hoping to take on new staff within the next year.

Simon added: “Naturally, firms need to expand their team as they grow organically but the challenge often lies in how they manage this growth. It’s important that firms seek professional advice to help with obtaining funding.

“I would urge any business owners looking at expanding to ensure that they assess their plans and evaluate all of the financial options available to help them find an appropriate solution to fit their needs. At Wellden Turnbull my team and I can assist with a range of issues affecting SMEs and we can also handle the payroll. This allows SME owners to get back to doing what they do best; running their business and growing their enterprise.”

If you would like more information and advice about how to grow your business, please contact us today.

HMRC relaxes PAYE late filing penalties

HMRC will begin relaxing automatic late filing penalties for people who send PAYE information late, officials have indicated.

The revenue said it would take a ‘proportionate approach’ instead of issuing automatic penalties in the event that an employer reports PAYE information late.

Investigations will now be concentrated on ‘the more serious defaults on a risk-assessed basis’. The move will allow HMRC to focus on serious cases of non-compliance, and to invest resources in educating employers on compliance issues.

The decision reflects the conclusions of a policy document published by HMRC in February 2015. The report argues that small automated penalties are costly and resource intensive for the revenue to pursue, and detract from its ability to pursue serious compliance failures.

The news comes after a leaked HMRC memo revealed that the revenue would no longer be investigating each individual late filing of self-assessment returns. Officials will now waive the £100 late filing penalty if people provided a ‘reasonable excuse’ on appeal.

Colin Ben-Nathan, chairman of the Chartered Institute of Taxation’s Employment Taxes Sub-Committee, welcomed the announcement:

“The requirement on employers to send PAYE information in ‘real time’ has proved difficult for some employers to comply with, especially the smallest and those whose employees have unpredictable working hours. It has imposed new and sometimes onerous obligations on employers.

“HMRC are right to have taken a pragmatic approach so far to the levying of penalties, initially not imposing them at all for smaller firms and now promising to concentrate on the most serious defaults.”

We can manage your payroll for you. Contact us today for more information.