Anna’s Accountancy Alerts – Week 32 (9th – 15th November 2020)

Close up of business people working with business document during discussion at meeting.

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PAYE For Employer’s Webchat Service In The Business Tax Account

From 17th September, a webchat service has been added to the 2020-2021 Annual Statement page within the ePAYE online service.

If a green button appears at the bottom right hand side of this page, you can click to ask HMRC a question and start a conversation with one of their staff members on the Employers’ helpdesk (depending on availability).

This is part of a test and learn initiative where, after 3 months, HMRC will assess how successful this initiative has been and decide whether it will remain as a permanent feature.

So, if you need to contact HMRC about your PAYE for employers, why not try webchat as an alternative to telephone.

PAYE RTI Penalties

Late filing and late payment penalties will continue to be considered on a risk-assessed basis rather than issued automatically. The first penalties for this tax year (beginning 6 April 2020) were issued in September 2020.

Support is available for employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including more time to appeal. Employers can now include problems caused by COVID-19 as the reasonable excuse that prevented them from meeting their tax obligation. For more information about this, go to https://www.gov.uk/tax-appeals/reasonable-excuses

Late Filing Penalties

HMRC will not charge penalties automatically if a Full Payment Submission (FPS) is filed late but within 3 days of the payment date and there remains no pattern of persistent late filing.

Employers are still required to file their submissions on time unless any of the circumstances set out in the

https://www.gov.uk/running-payroll/fps-after-payday

Employers who persistently file after the statutory filing date but within three days will continue to be monitored and may be contacted or considered for a late filing penalty as part of our risk-based approach.

HMRC’s Business Tax Account

The Business Tax Account is an online account which brings together all of your business taxes in one place – including Pay as You Earn for Employers.

From one sign in, you can view a summary of your tax position, manage your information such as address, telephone number and email address as well as make payments to HMRC.

To find out more about the benefits of using the Business Tax Account and how to set it up, go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-hmrcs-business-tax-account

Changes To HMRC Opening Hours

At the start of the pandemic they reduced their phone helpline opening hours to 8am-4pm

Hours are now extended to 8am – 6pm.

https://www.gov.uk/contact-hmrc

Stay Up-To-Date With Coronavirus & Brexit News

Coronavirus has affected us all. Whether you’re a sole trader, employer or employee. Stay up to date with the latest news – including government support, tax implications, and more.

Read COVID News
Read Brexit News

What Our Client's Say

At a time when there is so much uncertainty, in the working environment and for directors / self-employed it is priceless to have someone like Anna in your corner. Anna has supported me with a couple of one off sessions for me to ask questions about my accounts and business. What was immensely useful for me was to be able to ask in-depth detailed queries about payroll and business accounting, as well as to have a wider strategic discussion about my work and where my business is heading. Anna has the kindness, human connection, listening skills and business / finance expertise to support me and I will continue to work with her in the future, however I can.
Amarjot BhogalAmarrouh Limited
As the owner of a small business my core team is essential. Essential for the skills they bring, how they communicate, how they motivate and how they contribute to the growth of my business. My Accountant, Anna Goodwin, is undoubtedly a critical and integral part of my core team. Over the past year I have leaned on her heavily, both professionally, and personally. Professionally, as we have weathered covid-19 and the ensuing upheaval; and personally, as she supported me to jump through the various hoops required to secure a mortgage as a self-employed person. She has responded to every request with professionalism, a sense of urgency and true empathy for my predicament. Her patience, approachability and openness have ensured that what could have been a very daunting experience has instead been approached in a measured, organised, and confident way. I am lucky to have her on my team and in the HappyMaven tribe.
Suki K BassiHappyMaven Ltd
I think it is really important to choose the right person to work with from administration to bookkeeping and accounting. In Anna I have found someone who is extremely helpful and supportive. Anna is Customer focused and a great accountability manager. She is understanding, patient, motivational and has great network links. Having the confidence to leave the accounting aspect of my business and yearly tax return to Anna provides peace of mind and space for me to focus on the fundamentals of business growth.
Gaynor Grazier Owner, Gaynor Grazier Acupuncture Ltd.
My most recent meetings with Anna have helped me to understand why I might transition my business from running it as a sole trader to a limited company in terms of the benefits that it could have for me and my future. Not only has Anna been able to fully educate me on the options regarding my salary, dividends and so forth, but with Anna's help I have been able to make informed decisions regarding my pension, banking and client payment methods too. Anna offers such a wholistic and personal service that helps me to take my business from strength to strength!
Myia Khela Maze Tuition
My circumstances and self-employed income changed significantly half way through last year, which would affected my payment on account. Anna went back through my Tax Return and adjusted it to reflect the changes which had a positive outcome financially for me, it brought a huge sense of relief.
Jayne Differ
Anna has helped me feel more confident in my business. She has a lot of experience and asks all the right questions. Highly recommend.
Lucy Johnson
APA Training Ltd as a growing business needed a first class accountant who was professional, helpful and responsive to my company's requirements. I found Anna Goodwin Accountancy Ltd excellent - I cannot praise them enough.
Phil AlexanderAPA Training & Development Limited
Working with Anna makes everything seem alright again. You can have a spaghetti-tangle of a book recording situation and she calmly and professionally makes sense of it all. Anna has such a reassuring style, she's able to advise and assist without ever seeming to judge, so my ineptitude with numbers is never a problem! I'd recommend working with Anna if you need someone to help you see the wood from the trees and sort your financial housekeeping without causing a fuss.
Pam BurrowsPeople Booster
I had spent a lot of time "pond􀀌ring" about my business and the financial implications. After explaining how I want to progress with my business, Anna clarified what were to me "grey" areas, answered all my queries clearly (being mindful of my lack of financial expertise) and offered information which opened up options I had not considered before! As a result, I have the confidence to make informed decisions. I really value the advice Anna provided and will certainly recommend her services to others.
Michelle Fakes L&D Practitioner
Really nice to speak to someone who didn't boggle me with jargon. I felt listened to and very happy with the advice. Hope to work with you again.
Clare ClaxtonWalsall Housing Group (WHG)
As my accountant, Anna earns my highest recommendation. I have recently had a business review/mentor session with Anna, and her knowledge of how to run her own business and ideas for me were an inspiration. She has encouraged me to develop my own business and given me valuable advice, I highly recommend these sessions.
Tricia Mills Freelance Graphic Designer
It is a pleasure and a joy to work with Anna. Not only is she an expert accountant, but she is an excellent mentor as well. During our working meetings she takes time to listen to me and to show me different ways of doing things and approaching problems which helps me to improve the services that I offer to my clients. In a short time we have developed a successful and mutually beneficial working relationship: She is very easy to get along with, genuine and friendly with a calm and non judgmental approach. I heartily recommend her both as an accountant and as a business mentor.
Alison TownsendATP Bookkeeping
I recently had a mentoring meeting with Anna, as I was just about to embark on the next phase of my business and had become "stuck" on the best accounting options, business set-up etc. moving forward. The mentoring time with Anna gave me friendly, practical and kind advice and support. The advice has given me options to consider and provided me with clarity, and the support has helped with focus on the practical, with no feelings of negative judgement on the business plan. As someone with over 15 years in business it's been refreshing to invest in this time with Anna, it's help me to feel more "centred" around my current business activities to enable me to create my future business products and services.
Linda Hill Linda Hill Fitness
Having worked with Anna on a personal level for several years I recently asked her to speak at one of our South Staffordshire Association of Driving Instructors meetings in Penkridge. Not only was her talk interesting and informative but she was very engaging and open to any questions that were asked. She also provided us with some very useful handouts. What we found particularly good was the fact that she was able to provide the correct advice and guidance for our needs as driving instructors. I would have no hesitation in recommending Anna for any form of accounting, mentoring or speaking as she has a very down to earth and friendly approach. We will definitely invite her back in the future!
Chris Scott-Douglas Deputy Chairman, South Staffs Association of Driving Instructors
Anna delivered a really interesting presentation to FSB Black Country branch members, in an entertaining style and with calm authority that proved her practical expertise to help businesses of all shapes and sizes. We will invite her back very soon.
Steve ParkerChairman, FSB Black Country Branch
I am delighted I chose to work with Anna on my tax return. She is professional but carries a warming and caring nature which straight away put me at ease.

Very easy to work with and is there on the other end of the line if you have any concerns. I would highly recommend her.
Raman Devi
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