Latest News

Holiday season – Can the business cope without you?

One of the features of doing business in the modern day is the use of mobile technology such as iphones, Blackberries and Laptops. This gives great flexibility to business owners in dealing with business matters when away from base for a few days, or indeed while on holiday.

This is an important issue – is it now far too easy for an individual to be dragged into business matters when they should be relaxing with the family on holiday?

Ten reasons why you should protect yourself against professional fees in dealing with an HMRC enquiry

In a world where HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) are actively and aggressively seeking to increase their tax yield here are my top ten reasons why you should take advantage of our Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service:

Early but promising days for Patent Box tax relief

Now that the Patent Box has been around for over a year, more and more claims are starting to be prepared as accounting periods end and company accounts start to be prepared.  As much as an adviser can respond to HM Revenue and Customs consultations, read the legislation and speak to companies about their potential claims, actually preparing the claims is the best way to learn about the relief and I have learnt a huge amount in the last few months.

Increased land values – Beware the Capital Gains Tax consequences

A combination of increased land values and changes in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules in recent years means that the amount of tax which Scottish farmers face paying on a disposal of land is vastly increased.

Optimising performance in the family business

The dynamics of the family unit are very different from the dynamics of a business unit. When the two are combined within a family business scenario, with perhaps two or three generations of the same family working in that business, the potential for a range of conflicts is multiplied.

Family businesses face unique and difficult challenges in aligning the aspirations of everyone involved. Keeping all strands of the family happy can directly conflict with making the tough and brave business decisions that non-family businesses can make without fear of a family fall out.

ISAs become New ISAs (NISAs) on 1 July 2014

Understanding exactly what you can save into cash ISAs and Stocks and shares ISAs each tax year has not always been easy, as you could use your full entitlement if saving into a stocks and shares version, but for the Cash ISA you could only invest half the amount.

The March 2014 budget announced that ISAs are being revamped into a simpler product, with equal limits for cash and stocks and shares, plus a substantially increased ISA allowance. If you've already got an ISA (or ISAs), the changes apply to existing accounts too.

Consultation on Trust changes - Third Time Lucky for HMRC?

Almost two years after the first consultation, HMRC have now launched their third consultation into Inheritance tax charges and trusts. Over that time what was originally badged as ‘simplification’ is now being badged as a ‘fairer’ way to calculate Inheritance Tax (IHT) charges on trusts.

5 reasons why Armstrong Watson are one of Xero’s biggest accounting partners in the UK

In April Armstrong Watson joined one of six UK accountancy firms to achieve Platinum Partner status with Xero, the premier Cloud accounting software provider.  As the first mid-size firm to achieve this status, we see it as a reflection on how we at Armstrong Watson embrace both technology and the importance of collaboration with our clients.

So what has seen Armstrong Watson move so quickly towards becoming a Platinum Partner of Xero?

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

Following a change in the advisory fuel rates by HMRC, from 1 June 2014 the mileage rates applying to company cars are as follows:

Accountancy firm beat some of the UK’s largest businesses in the National ‘Top Employers’ survey

Armstrong Watson scored a hat-trick in this year’s national ‘Top Employers for School & College Leavers Survey 2014/2015’ as published in today’s Independent newspaper.

Beating off strong competition from big businesses for the second year running; both in the accountancy sector such as Deloitte and KPMG and the wider business economy such as Morrisons and Santander.