Latest News

New Tax Relief for Museums and Galleries

A new form of tax relief specifically targeted at museums and galleries, which was introduced in April 2018 by the government, could result in a payable credit from HMRC of up to £100,000 and sits within a wider range of tax reliefs designed to support the creative sector. Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief presents a rare opportunity for entities operating within the museums and galleries sector to obtain a cash rebate from HMRC.

Has the Agricultural Sector Weathered the Storm?

Heather Bamforth explains how the Beast in the East to a super hot summer may affect forage prices, water availability and threts to livestock in the agricultural sector

Armstrong Watson Welcomes VAT Director Alex Nicholson

Armstrong Watson LLP, Accountants, Business and Financial Advisers continue their investment in their Tax practice, with Alex Nicholson joining the firm from PwC to take up the role of VAT Director.

Payroll Team Proud Finalists in City Business Awards

Armstrong Watson’s 21 strong payroll team are very proud to have been shortlisted in the prestigious Carlisle Living Awards for Best Professional Services Team.

The city based team, headed by Payroll Director Karen Thomson, have made it to the final three in their category, with the winner to be announced at the Garden at Eden on 21^st September.

The payroll team collectively handle payroll services for more than 1500 employers across the UK and process in excess of 28,000 payslips every month.

Commenting, Karen Thomson, Payroll Director, said,

Legislation that shouldn’t keep retailers awake at night

At a recent speaking engagement I spoke about current legislation that, some of my retail clients' inform me - keeps them awake at night! 

During my talk I went on to discuss my views way to solve these issues and reduce stress.

Firstly let's look at what are the major legislations affecting retailers?

National Living Wage / National Minimum Wage

5 lessons to be learned from Yorkshire Linen's online retail strategy

5 lessons to be learned from Yorkshire Linen's online retail strategy and how they are winning with customer experience and innovative products.

Funding a business - why and where from?

Cash flow of any business is its heart beat - without sufficient cash it cannot grow or maybe even survive.

The obvious way to fund any business is through its own retained profits. This will involve no interest payments and means that if an asset is being acquired it is owned from day one. But, is using its own cash the best way for a business to trade or grow?

Armstrong Watson welcomes new Audit & Assurance Director

Simon Turner has joined Armstrong Watson Accountants, Business and Financial Advisers’ Audit and Assurance team as Director at the firm’s Northallerton office.

Self employed status for Dental Associates under threat as HMRC launch investigation

HMRC targets 50 large dental practices to challenge their employment status. If Dental Associates are to be treated as employees then the dental practices will be responsible for significant additional costs in the form of employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs), which are not recoverable costs.

Better security for pension schemes?

A company’s defined benefit pension scheme is often the largest creditor in any corporate failure, albeit some companies overlook their obligations in respect of the pension scheme and the pension scheme trustees are often the last party to the table.