PCG
LAUNCHES SARA, AN ONLINE S660A RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL
Are you at risk from S660A? Find out today using SARA,
an online "Self Assessment Risk Analysis"
tool developed by PCG and Accountax Consulting.
You may be at risk from an Inland Revenue challenge
on Section 660A, the "settlements legislation"
if any (or all) of the following apply:
- There is a limited company (or partnership)
- Ownership is shared with someone else (e.g. spouse)
- The freelancer is the sole or main fee-earner
- The other owner receives dividends or profit share
SARA is available to PCG members only at a special
price of just £25 (normal RRP £199), and
can be purchased online www.pcg.org.uk/sara/Purchase.php
Section 660A can arguably have more impact on freelancers
than IR35 as it resides with the individual, rather
than the company, and therefore follows you for life.
SARA was first developed some years ago by Accountax
as a telephone questionnaire for clients to determine
their likely exposure to a S660A challenge by the Inland
Revenue. Since then, it has been developed and refined
during extensive use with clients. In light of an increased
number of enquiries and interest around S660A from members,
PCG approached Accountax to collaborate on a project
to bring SARA online and be available to a far greater
number of freelancer small businesses.
There are two versions of SARA to account for the difference
between the cases where shares were gifted from one
partner to another, and the case where both partners
owned shares from the outset. Both versions contain
a series of about 35 questions.
The questionnaire takes around 20 minutes to complete,
and results are available immediately. SARA enables
you to understand and take relevant action:
- To identify whether your circumstances indicate
that the Inland Revenue is likely to challenge and
secondly,
- If the Inland Revenue does challenge, your level
of risk.
After completing the questionnaire your own risk factor
is published on a scale of
1-10, with explanatory text.
See also PCG's newly-published Guide
to S660A.
'SMARTER FREELANCING' SEMINARS
After two very successful seminars in London last week,
PCG's team will be taking its "Smarter freelancing"
seminars to the regions this week, with visits to Manchester,
Birmingham and Bristol. The seminars are open to PCG
members at a competitive cost of only £40 plus
VAT, and to non-members for just £65 plus VAT.
Furthermore, non-member delegates who join PCG on the
day will receive a £25 refund.
This represents excellent value for money, given the
scope of topics being presented:
- Hearing the latest information on IR35 and S660A,
two sets of taxation rules that can have a significant
impact on freelance incomes.
- Understanding IR591 and the measures that could
come from the forthcoming Budget.
- Learning how to market and sell yourself better.
- Winning profitable new business.
- Developing your skills to meet the changing global
economy.
- Becoming a trusted adviser.
- Gaining a better understanding of key tax and accountancy
issues.
Forthcoming venues
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday |
02 March 2004
03 March 2004
04 March 2004
09 March 2004
10 March 2004
11 March 2004 |
Manchester
Birmingham
Bristol
Swindon
Croydon
Southampton |
By popular demand, there will be an afternoon and an
evening session at each location.
See www.pcg.org.uk/seminars2004
for more details and online booking. Numbers are limited,
so book
your place now!
WANTED: FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS
Would anyone interested in participating in a focus
group in central London on the current market in the
UK, or any part of it, in any of the following disciplines:
- Java
- Project Management
- SAP
Please contact Simon Juden at [email protected].
Very recent independent market statistics will be provided
to stimulate discussion. The date and time of the focus
groups is to be arranged, but they will probably be
some time in March. Participation gives the opportunity
to have comments published and attributed in a leading
recurrent market analysis as well as the chance to network
within ones chosen specialty.
END OF 100% CAPITAL ALLOWANCES FOR IT EXPENDITURE
LOOMS
Small businesses that invest in information and communication
technology equipment up to 31 March 2004 will be able
to claim 100% first year allowances, thereby getting
immediate relief on the whole cost of their investment.
This covers expenditure on IT equipment, including
any software purchased for use with hardware, all computer
equipment and peripherals, cabling for use with computer
networks, the creation of your business website and
hi-tech communications technology such as WAP mobile
phones.
If you want to take advantage of this enhanced capital
allowance, you should make your purchases before 31
March 2004, as this may not be extended again in the
forthcoming Budget.
PCG SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORANGE SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
AWARDS
PCG is one of four small businesses shortlisted for
the Orange
Small is Beautiful Awards 2004, in the Best Demonstration
of Business Ethics category.
The awards are being judged by an expert panel of leading
figures from industry and business, including, for this
category, Mei Shui, head of business programme, The
Princess Trust, and Ken Pascoe, national director, The
Learning & Skills Council.
The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday 2 March
2004 at the Institute of Directors, and two representatives
from PCG have been invited to attend.
Richard Robson and his fellow PCG directors were delighted
to learn of the news.
WARNING ABOUT 'PHISHING' EMAILS
A number of emails are circulating purporting to come
from banks and asking for bank customers to confirm
passwords and credit card details. This practice is
known as 'phishing'. Banks do not, as a rule, request
password information in this way and one should never
divulge such information in response to unsolicited
emails.
It also possible to spoof the URL displayed by some
browsers, so that it is impossible to confirm whether
such emails are genuine.
Information on the latest example can be found on the
PCG forums here.
REAL LIFE MEETINGS
Edinburgh - Bert's Snug Bar - Tuesday 2 March 2004 18:00
The Snug Bar is booked. Please bring a friend to introduce
them to the idea that the PCG is a valuable resource.
See forum
discussion.
Contact: john_ferguson (John Ferguson)
Central London Chapter (CLC) - Thursday 4 March 2004
Jack Horner Pub Tottenham Court Road, unless anyone
has alternative suggestions. See forum
discussion.
Contact: coralsoft (Mark Proctor)
London - "Designing your Website"
- AICS - Thursday 11 March 2004, 19:00
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1.
The Association of Independent Computer Specialists
presents "Designing your Website". Guest speakers
- David Penfold and Conrad Taylor of the British Computer
Society Electronic Publishing Specialist Group. For
further information about the AICS please visit www.aics.org.uk.
See forum
discussion.
Contact: ashmele (John Ashmele)
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