New Online Tax Help For Small Businesses

For those of you just starting out in business, or thinking of doing so, there's a new online resource, set up by HMRC, via Business Link, to help you through a few of the basics, such as starting out in business, National Insurance, record keeping and employing other people.

This help takes two main forms. There are 10 brief, bite sized videos, providing an overview of each topic, as well as a downloadable guide, entitled; "Giving your business the best start with tax".

It's not going to answer every question, and as usual, I would always suggest seeking specific business advice from an expert, however, it's a useful start for those wishing to answer a few of the more common questions.

This information can be found at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1081677261&type=CAMPAIGN&site=1000&furlname=taxhelp&furlparam=taxhelp&ref=&domain=www.businesslink.gov.uk

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Definately worth a quick look.

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**Update** These videos have now been updated to our own web site. You can also check them out there. http://www.1stadditions.biz/30920/info.php?p=9&pno=0

New 'Ask Alan' Spot For Enterprise Nation TV

Always keen to help the small business person wherever I can, I have been involved with Enterprisenation.com for a litle over a year now, providing articles and features for the site as and when required, and answering questions in the Forums, as they arise.

It seemed a logical next step to take this to the small screen, and I have agreed to host a fortnightly 'Ask Alan' slot on Enterprise Nation TV, starting with a trip to Redbrick House this Wednesday (17 June) to film the first of these slots.

Enterprise Nation is an invaluable and free resource for anyone running, or thinking of starting, a home based business, and I'm really excited to be involved with this new project.

OK. Two days to find a clean shirt and get it ironed. Best get cracking.

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**Update** Enterprise Nation has been taking suggestions for alternatives to coffee in the workplace. They are running a taste test tomorrow, looking at some of these ideas. No prizes for guessing who will be doing the taste test. Should be interesting.

New 2009 Tax Amnesty

What can I say? We've only just all surrendered our weapons in the latest knife amnesty, and now HMRC have re introduced the Tax Amnesty.

Announced in the 2009 Budget, there is one last chance to review any irregularities in your tax affairs, and take advantage of the new disclosure facility, before the window of opportunity closes in March 2010.

Although penalty rates have yet to be published, they are likely to be lower than under normal penalty legislation.

1 April this year saw the introduction of higher penalties for incorrect Tax Returns, making it even more important to assess any potential tax risks and, where appropriate, make a disclosure to HMRC.

An interesting decision then. Do we keep quiet and risk having both of our children seized and sold into slavery, or do we 'fess up and guarantee that only one child is sold?

The decision is yours....