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23 Oct 2023

Cardmitment campaign launched to remind people of the power of sending greetings cards

23 Oct 2023

The International Longevity Centre has released new guides to show the steps retailers need to take to make their shops more accessible for the elderly.

23 Oct 2023

Family-run Bristol sandwich shop Sandwich Sandwich has been named best in the UK at the UberEats awards.

23 Oct 2023

Convenience stores are set to be part of a testing programme for the UK’s first digital proof of age card.

23 Oct 2023

“Game-changing” facial recognition technology is targeting prolific retail criminals, including shoplifters.

9 May 2023

A mixed picture is emerging about the effect of the Coronation weekend across the UK's retail sector.

9 May 2023

Nominations have opened for the 2023 British Business Awards.

9 May 2023

The European retail sector has enjoyed its best month for international spending on Tax Free goods since the end of the pandemic after sales surged by 40% month on month in March 2023, taking...

31 Mar 2023

Checkout Bira's FREE opening times and social media toolkit downloads for Easter!

4 Jan 2023

BBC analysis has shown that beauty salons and tattoo parlours have prospered on high streets while the number of banks and department stores has fallen. Places to eat and drink have also...

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One-in-ten will face HMRC tax investigation

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Creative News, Outdoor News

A tenth of the UK's small businesses are facing tax enquiries from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Over half-a-million small businesses and sole traders are to be investigated by the tax authority, as HMRC seeks to reclaim some of the £34bn tax gap from the 2015-16 financial year.

calculatorHMRC believes almost half (46%) of this gap is made up of unpaid tax from small firms so are making interrogation of this group of businesses a priority.

David Richardson, Interim Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design, HMRC, insists that while "many small businesses pay the correct amount of tax" there is a "competitive" need to "tackle those businesses that aren't complying".

Mr Richardson claims that much of the unpaid tax from small businesses is "not through deliberate evasion or avoidance, it is through failing to take reasonable care or through error".

On average, a comprehensive HMRC tax investigation lasts around 16 months, causing disruption and lost time and money for hard-working entrepreneurs.

The best route to avoid an HMRC enquiry would be to employ an accountant to properly take care of everything, but you could still be investigated. Even if your business is successful in defending itself against a tax investigation, you will be responsible for covering any costs or losses incurred during the investigation from HMRC.

To protect your business, every paying ActSmart subscriber has free tax investigation protection, to cover these cost - a service which many businesses pay c.£150 for through their accountant. 

ActSmart subscriptions are available from just £30 per annum and give you access to tax investigation protection, card processing services, 24/7 legal helplines, consumer promotion, online employment manual and general business support all year round.

Join today or contact us to find out more.

 

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