Latest News

Managing your finances when interest rates and inflation increase

With interest rates rising and the cost of living increasing, understanding your financial position, savings, debts and investments, alongside your regular income and outgoings is important. 

Effective law firm governance

The governance of law firms has evolved hugely in the past 10-20 years, with firms now generally being much more professionally led and managed. Here Andy Poole looks at why firms have evolved the way they have, and what does a good governance structure look like?

An interview with... Anne Macdonald, Lead Partner of Harper Macleod’s HM Connect

Andy Poole interviews Anne Macdonald, lead partner of Harper Macleod’s HM Connect, a referral and support network for law firms in Scotland.

Economic outlook and flexible pricing approach

The Office of National Statistics tell us that Inflation is at 9.1% (at the time of writing) but worse may well be to come. Here, Tom Blandford, gives five key ways to aid the survival of your business by using a more flexible pricing approach.

Compensation and Early Termination Payments - Where we are now?

Hydeam Sulton Tax Partner - Head of VAT and Indirect Tax at Armstrong Watson explores the impact on the legal sector of HMRC’s change of policy on compensation and early termination payments.

The Mini-budget and the Motor Trade - A Budget to Drive Growth?

The new Chancellor’s first Budget last week was anything but mini.  In trying to achieve the government’s goal of stimulating the economy despite increasing interest rates, high inflation and fears of a recession, Kwasi Kwarteng appeared to be leaving no tax stone unturned.  With promises of further tax cuts next year, commentators are now wondering what could be left to announce in the main Budget in a few months’ time.

Living in Scotland? Do you know who your assets will go to when you die?

Inheritance rules differ between the UK nations. Here we explain what the intestacy rules are in Scotland and how this might affect your beneficiaries.

Settling your PAYE liability to HMRC via Direct Debit

From September 2022 HMRC will allow you to set up a Direct Debit mandate to settle outstanding PAYE and NIC liability.

The changes made by HMRC, announced in the August 2022 issue of HMRC’s Employer Bulletin, will mean that after submitting your records to HMRC you now no longer have to set a reminder to transfer the payment.

Can I reduce my family’s Inheritance Tax bill?

Of all the various taxes levied in the UK, Inheritance Tax (IHT) is one of the most peculiar.

For a start, its name is misleading. In other countries that levy inheritance taxes, the tax is usually based on the inheritor (or the beneficiary) and the amount that they inherit.

How will the Mini-budget 2022 measures affect your business?

The recent mini-budget was planned to be a “Budget for growth”, an opportunity for the new Prime Minister to launch the start of her premiership.  The Initial reaction from the markets has not been good, but how could the measures announced help businesses achieve their goals of growth?