Frequently Asked Questions

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This is the test of new approach

There are several ways that governments and central banks can try to bring down inflation:

1. Tighten monetary policy: Central banks can raise interest rates to reduce the supply of money in the economy and decrease demand for goods and services. This can help bring down inflation by slowing down the rate at which prices are rising.
2. Reduce government spending: Governments can cut back on spending to reduce demand in the economy, which can help bring down inflation.
3. Strengthen the exchange rate: A stronger exchange rate can make imports cheaper, which can help reduce the price of goods and services in the domestic economy.
4. Increase productivity: Improving productivity can help reduce the cost of production and make it easier for businesses to pass on lower prices to consumers.
5. Reduce tariffs and other trade barriers: Removing tariffs and other trade barriers can increase competition and make it easier for businesses to access cheaper inputs, which can help reduce the cost of production and bring down inflation.
6. Increase competition: Increasing competition in industries can also help bring down prices by encouraging businesses to be more efficient and lower their costs.

It’s important to note that these measures can also have unintended consequences, such as slowing down economic growth or increasing unemployment. As such, it’s important for policymakers to carefully consider the trade-offs involved in trying to bring down inflation.

Inflation is an increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, inflation reflects a reduction in the purchasing power of money. A chief measure of price inflation is the inflation rate, the annualized percentage change in a general price index (normally the consumer price index) over time.

Inflation can be caused by a variety of factors, including an increase in the money supply, an increase in government spending, and an increase in global commodity prices. It can also be caused by an increase in production costs, such as wages or raw materials. Central banks, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, attempt to control inflation through the use of monetary policy, which involves adjusting interest rates and the supply of money in the economy.

Inflation is generally considered to be a negative economic phenomenon, as it can lead to a decrease in the value of savings, an increase in uncertainty, and a misallocation of resources. However, low levels of inflation, generally defined as an inflation rate of 2% or lower, are generally considered to be beneficial for economic growth.

Click here to find out

1. The British Business Bank Website has this informatio Read it here

• If an Employee has been diagnosed with Coronavirus, they will qualify for SSP
• This is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks

• The Government has said people should work from home where possible.
• You can setup systems to enable employees to work from gome and there are many collaboration softwares available to ensure teams are working together.
• Where it is not possible, for example if you are in retail, you may need to close the premises, following govenrment guidelines.

• The Government has introduced financial support packages to assist businesses in these troubling times
• See a list of them here
• You may be eligible for a Business Interruption Loa
• Staff can be Furloughed, meaning that they cannot work temporarily due to the shutdown, 80% of their salaries can be claimed from the Government, up to a maximum of £2500 (gross) per month per employee.
• You are also entitled to defer VAT liability Payments for three months to 30 June 2020.

• With such unprecidented times facing us at the moment
• It is easy to become unsure of what you can do or what you should do in the work place
• Whats expected of you to keep memebers of staff safe.
• The list goes on.
• However there is a detailed document that explains all the things you can, should and should not do in order to keep ypur employees and your buniesses enviroments safe
• This is provided by Croner-i and you can view it here

• A support Package for the self-employed has been announced by the Chancelor Rishi Sunak
• Read here for more information on this package and how it may help you.

• The Government has setup a Business Rates Holiday for Certain Industries
• Click here for further informatio

• In these challenging times people are having to make adjustments
• These may incluide working from home
• In that case it is best to put in some temporary policy changes to support this.
• You can use the draft temporary policy change doccument provided by Croner-i here

• See the full list here

Company directors are often employees but, often, they are not. Their employment status depends entirely on individual circumstances. By default, directors are known as ‘office holders’ (along with company secretaries). 

Many companies choose to give their senior employees or long-serving employees the title of “Director” even though they are not registered company directors for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006. 

The title of director should only be used when dealing with a company (corporate entity).  If you own a business as sole trader, then you should call yourself the owner.  

Directors are not just those who are registered as directors at Companies House. They are anyone who acts as a director, whether they are called directors or not. They include directors who have been appointed by the company but never properly registered. 

There is some confusion between being the owner of a business and being a director. Shareholders and directors hold two very different roles in a company. Shareholders own the company by owning its shares and are often referred to as ‘members’. Directors, on the other hand, manage the business and its operations

• Although a lockdown is in place and Schools have been closed to the general student population
• The Government has asked that schools remain open so that the children of Key Workers can still attend
• Are you a key worker?
• Croner-i Have provded a detailed list of Key Workers here

• With such unprecidented times facing us at the moment
• It is easy to become unsure of what you can do or what you should do in the work place
• Whats expected of you to keep memebers of staff safe.
• The list goes on.
• However there is a detailed document that explains all the things you can, should and should not do in order to keep ypur employees and your buniesses enviroments safe
• This is provided by Croner-i and you can view it here

• Both the uk government and the World Health Organisation has set up Whatsapp services.
• For more information including the numbers you need to use the services, click here

Inflation is an increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, inflation reflects a reduction in the purchasing power of money. A chief measure of price inflation is the inflation rate, the annualized percentage change in a general price index (normally the consumer price index) over time.

Inflation can be caused by a variety of factors, including an increase in the money supply, an increase in government spending, and an increase in global commodity prices. It can also be caused by an increase in production costs, such as wages or raw materials. Central banks, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, attempt to control inflation through the use of monetary policy, which involves adjusting interest rates and the supply of money in the economy.

Inflation is generally considered to be a negative economic phenomenon, as it can lead to a decrease in the value of savings, an increase in uncertainty, and a misallocation of resources. However, low levels of inflation, generally defined as an inflation rate of 2% or lower, are generally considered to be beneficial for economic growth.

• Although a lockdown is in place and Schools have been closed to the general student population
• The Government has asked that schools remain open so that the children of Key Workers can still attend
• Are you a key worker?
• Croner-i Have provded a detailed list of Key Workers here

• Every worker who is self-isolating is entitled to SSP.
• This depends on earnings meeting the minimum level requirements to be entitled.
• For companies with fewer than 250 staff, the government will refunf SSP for the first two weeks of absence.

• The Government are offering a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible business if:
  • your business is based in England
  • you are a small business and are already qualify for the small business rate relief (SBRR), Rural rate relief(RRR)
  • you are a business that occupies property

• If an Employee has been diagnosed with Coronavirus, they will qualify for SSP
• This is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks

• The Government has said people should work from home where possible.
• You can setup systems to enable employees to work from gome and there are many collaboration softwares available to ensure teams are working together.
• Where it is not possible, for example if you are in retail, you may need to close the premises, following govenrment guidelines.

Click here to see what the Goverment is proposing to help those who are Self employed.

• A support Package for the self-employed has been announced by the Chancelor Rishi Sunak
• Read here for more information on this package and how it may help you.

• You are able to obtain a digital sick note to pass on to your employers if you suspect you have Coronavirus or have reason to self-isolate.
• For the first seven days of sickness, most workplaces allow you to self-certify and no note is required
• The digital sick note can be accessed via the NHS 111 Website

• The Government has setup a Business Rates Holiday for Certain Industries
• Click here for further informatio

• In these challenging times people are having to make adjustments
• These may incluide working from home
• In that case it is best to put in some temporary policy changes to support this.
• You can use the draft temporary policy change doccument provided by Croner-i here

• See the full list here

If you cannot pay your tax bill in full, you may be able to set up a payment plan to pay it in instalments.

You will not be able to set up a payment plan if HMRC does not think you will keep up with the repayments.

If HMRC cannot agree a payment plan with you, they’ll ask you to pay the amount you owe in full.

• Generally, 12 months is the maximum HMRC will agree to. 
• There are exceptional circumstances in which HMRC will consider agreeing to a longer repayment period. 
• For example, medical reasons, or unemployment. 

• Generally, HMRC and debt collection agencies do not accept lump sum payments unless the entire balance of the liability is being paid off. 
• However, you can enquire about this as it varies from every situation and from the HMRC agent you are speaking to. 

• If you think your tax bill will be lower next year, you can reduce or make the payments on account £NIL. 
• This can be done on-line if you are registered for self-assessment on-line, or by phoning 0300 200 3310.  
• Alternatively you may download and send in form SA303. 

You may be able to set up a payment plan online, depending on which type of tax you owe and how much you owe.

• If you miss any payment, for any reason, under a TTP agreement, you should contact HMRC immediately. 
• If you know you cannot make the next payment due, you should notify HMRC before the payment due date. 
• You may be able to agree an extension or grace period, however, the payments will have to be re-negotiated under a new TTP agreement. 

Currently, there is no limit. The payment plan is unique to each taxpayer and will depend on the liability and affordability of repayments.

To set up a payment plan you’ll need:

• the relevant reference number for the tax you cannot pay, such as your unique tax reference number.

• your bank account details.

• details of any previous payments you’ve missed.

If a payment is missed, HMRC will contact you to ask the reason for doing so.

Wherever possible, HMRC will restore your payment arrangement or renegotiate your Time to Pay plan.

It may also be possible to include a new tax bill in your existing Time to Pay arrangement if you are unable to pay another tax bill.

• Never agree a payment plan with HMRC that you know you cannot fulfil. 
• If this is the case, please speak to a member of the Avar Team for further assistance. 

HMRC insist on speaking directly with the taxpayer, even where an agent is authorised. They will request personal details about affordability and other confidential information, such as bank details, which we cannot divulge in any event.

• When determining whether to accept a TTP arrangement, you may be asked to provide the following information when presenting your case:  
  • Sales and cash flow forecasts for the next 6 to 12 months.
  • How you will reduce overheads and expenses to ease cash flow to meet the tax liability.  
  • Statement of intent that you will repay the liability. 
• The same principles are applied to all taxpayers, although the detail of processes can be tailored to reflect the risk/return associated with different liabilities.  
• As a rule, the larger the liability the greater the risk and the greater the need for more information.  

• Although a lockdown is in place and Schools have been closed to the general student population
• The Government has asked that schools remain open so that the children of Key Workers can still attend
• Are you a key worker?
• Croner-i Have provded a detailed list of Key Workers here

• Every worker who is self-isolating is entitled to SSP.
• This depends on earnings meeting the minimum level requirements to be entitled.
• For companies with fewer than 250 staff, the government will refunf SSP for the first two weeks of absence.

• If an Employee has been diagnosed with Coronavirus, they will qualify for SSP
• This is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks

Click here to see what the Goverment is proposing to help those who are Self employed.

• You are able to obtain a digital sick note to pass on to your employers if you suspect you have Coronavirus or have reason to self-isolate.
• For the first seven days of sickness, most workplaces allow you to self-certify and no note is required
• The digital sick note can be accessed via the NHS 111 Website

• See the full list here

Click here to find out

Standard Operating Procedure for internal use by Avar Team.

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A: Answer New Template FAQ 1

A: Answer New Template FAQ 2

We can help enter into a time to pay arrangement (TTP) with HMRC to spread the cost over a number of months

HMRC will apply late payment penalties and interest.

• You will incur a £100 penalty if the tax return is up to 3 months late.
• You will also have to pay interest on late payments.

The following pre-conditions apply to be covered by TiPS: 

• Advice must be sought from Avar on all technical and tax matters before the event.  
• Advice may be covered or not, in the agreed annual fee.  
• Alternatively, Avar will indicate whether the event is covered by the standing fee arrangements or not.  
• No communication whatsoever must take place between HM Revenue & Customs, yourself and any third parties, as advice given by Avar can only be covered.  

To subscribe to our service, payment for the amount due should be sent as stated on the accompanying letter/response slip. If you need any more information, we can provide this by email or post.

Like any other protection to meet an unexpected cost, everyone hopes that they do not need it but when a costly enquiry starts, clients are glad that they have paid the small annual charge.

The cover offered by these types of protection is often not as wide ranging as the service we offer. Such policies are not likely to pay our fees to look after you and may instead bring in an outside consultant who does not know you.

Most tax enquiries are generated by computer ‘risk profiling’ and many are selected completely at random. As a result, anyone can be picked for investigation, even if you have done nothing wrong.

TiPS cover need not be taken out, at all, but specific enquiry can be covered as and when required.  

This will be based on the charge out rate, or a fixed fee quotation can be provided. This will have to be settled before the investigation is acted upon.  

TiPS is valid where a form 64-8 is in place and the assignment is prepared and submitted, on behalf of the client, by Avar, without third party intervention or contribution.

Once you join the service, you will be protected against our fees relating to enquiries raised into previous years, even if we did not prepare the return. Exclusions to this would include any fees incurred by the previous accountant and any fees relating to the reconstruction of books and records that have been poorly maintained.

Protection is only available from the date the subscription payment is received. If an enquiry letter is received from HMRC prior to receipt of payment, our fees will not be settled under the service.

Returns which have been submitted more than 90 days late will be excluded from the service.

Any Tax Investigation work (whether covered by TiPS or not) will be charged at our current hourly charge out rate from 1 April 2022 @ £350/hour, by work performed by any members of the team.

If the company has employees and/or is VAT registered, there are still advantages of joining the service before the first corporation tax return is filed, for example, in the event of a PAYE or VAT enquiry.

Providing the business has subscribed, and we are engaged to prepare the personal tax return for the director/partner, they will automatically be included within the service at no extra cost.

It is a Service set up by us and is backed by an insurance policy we have taken out in our own name with Professional Fee Protection (PFP) and protects our clients who suffer a tax enquiry. For a small annual fee, you can join our Service and obtain the benefits described on the service Summary. When you subscribe to our service we are able to make a claim against our insurance policy held with PFP in respect of our fees incurred.

If you have cover for Sole Trader, you are automatically covered for any Personal Tax investigation. Personal Tax cover is only meant for those individuals who are not self-employed.

PFP are specialist providers of Tax Enquiry Insurance. They pioneered fee protection in the UK over 30 years ago. They have protected over 600,000 different businesses and individuals. They are committed to working in conjunction with us, thus ensuring your interests are fully protected.

Where covered by TiPS, with the exception of the excess, Avar will look to the re-insurers to cover their fees at the agreed prevailing charge out rates.

A business subscription will automatically provide personal tax protection for the partners, directors, company secretary and their spouses providing we also prepare their tax returns. A sole trade supplement may be required where you have additional self-employment income or gross rental income in excess of £50,000 per year.

Both. If you are in this difficult situation let Avar help you. Please pick up the phone and call us for a no-fee chat.

As long as you don’t reach the threshold, each penalty point will automatically expire after two years.

See the link above or call us and we will explain the complexities to you.

Not if Avar is dealing with your affairs and you provide the necessary information on a timely basis.

There are complex rules for this adjustment. Call Avar and we would be happy to explain the government guidance to you.

The rules are complicated. We suggest you call Avar as soon as possible so we can help regularise your affairs.