Together We Count are delighted to announce that we are now active partners of SimPRO What is simPRO? simPRO (which is short for ‘simple processes’) is a leading job management software solution for service, maintenance and project contractors. Connect the office to the field, deliver exceptional customer service and gain invaluable business insights with automated processes, streamlined workflows and in-depth business reporting. Trusted by 7,000+ business globally, simPRO has offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. A cloud-based solution, simPRO offers a range of features for the management of service jobs, project work and asset maintenance, including: Comprehensive scheduling, estimating and invoicing Real-time office to field connectivity Streamlined inventory management Supplier catalogue and pricing from a single system Integrations with industry-leading accounting packages, Xero, QuickBooks and Sage. 70+ reports for accurate business insig...

Are you a builder, electrician, Gas Safe installer, renewables engineer or a Ref.com registered installer, repairer or supplier of air conditioning units? Did you know that air conditioning units are eligible for reduced rate VAT if they’re supplied for a qualifying use? Here we will explain the basics of how the reduced rate of VAT could apply to you, your business and your customers! The government is keen to encourage energy efficiency as part of the Climate Change Programme and the Kyoto Protocol. With residential properties accountable for a quarter of all energy emissions, the only way for the UK to meet its obligations under Kyoto is for the government to encourage the uptake of lower cost, energy-saving solutions, including air source heat pumps and other air conditioning and refrigeration units. HMRC has decided that one way to help consumers make the right choice is to provide a tax incentive in the form of reduced VAT on modern air conditioning and refrigeration units, su...

Last month Aaron appeared as a guest on Wayne Bettess’ ‘Off The Tools’ podcast to discuss his new book, The Quote Handbook- Essential Steps to Building the Perfect Boiler Quote . We recommend you subscribe to Wayne’s podcast, especially if you are a tradesperson, or business owner. The topics covered in his regular podcasts are always on point and relevant to current economic circumstances and are full of insight and fresh ideas from real business owners, making the content so authentic. You’ll find ‘Off The Tools’ on Spotify , Apple Podcasts, or whatever podcast app you like to use and for the link to the episode featuring Aaron click here .  Here’s some of what you can look forward to in the podcast………. Ever wondered what an accountant could possibly have to say about quoting for a boiler installation? Well Wayne gets straight to the point and asks exactly that. Aaron’s years of experience as a finance director for a large plumbing and heating firm has given him an alternative ...

Following on from our previous communication about the HMRC Pre-Verification Check - Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) on 11/03/2021 , it has come to our attention that some of you have dismissed the email from HMRC as a scam. If you have recently had an email from HMRC please keep reading as time is running out. Have you received this email? HM Revenue & Customs sent out this email to self-employed individuals on 26 February 2021. HM Revenue & Customs did not send a copy of your email to us. If so, action is needed by Mon 22 March If you received the email then you will need to respond to HM Revenue & Customs by 22 March 2021. Contact HMRC by email to seisscomplianceteam@hmrc.gov.uk , using your business email address, if you have one. Include in your email; Reference number(s) for SEISS grants SEISS grant claim date periods Evidence trade has continued What evidence is required? HM Revenue & Customs require evidence that trade has continued, but do no...

Today’s newsletter looks at the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Enquiries and 4th Grant Claim. What period does the 4th grant cover? February 2021 to April 2021 inclusive. When can the 4th grant claim be made? If you are eligible, HMRC should contact you around mid-April 2021 to provide you with a date from which you can make the claim through the Gov.UK online portal. The final deadline for making the claim will be 31st May 2021. What is the eligibility criteria for the 4th grant? You must have been self-employed during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 tax years. You must have submitted your 2019/20 Tax Return by 2nd March 2021. If you commenced trading during the 2019/20 tax year, you must have provided the information requested by HMRC when they carried out a pre-verification check on you sometime between 8th March and mid-April 2021. You must either be trading but impacted by reduced demand due to the pandemic or Have been trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to the p...

With the 4th SEISS Grant announced in the budget, HMRC have announced that they will be doing pre-verification checks. Here we look at what that means.   What is the background to this check? If you commenced self-employment during the 2019/20 tax year you may be eligible for the 4th SEISS grant. If you fully fit the eligibility criteria, the grant would cover up to 80% of your average trading profits (maximum £7,500) in a 3 month period. If eligible and the pre-verification check has been completed to HMRC’s satisfaction, you will be able to make a SEISS claim between the end of April and 31st May 2021. Who is the check aimed at? Those who commenced self-employment during the 2019/20 tax year. What is the purpose of the check? To check the individual’s identity. To provide evidence of a trade. How will HMRC approach the individual concerned? By letter between 8th March and mid-April 2021. What will the letter say? To expect a phone call from HMRC within the next 10 wor...

Well I’m sure for many of you today is a big day as children return to school and we begin the slow transition back to normal life. If you require further explanation on any of the topics in todays newsletter then don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our contact details are at the bottom. Todays topics include: Super Deduction 130% Corporate First Year Allowance Electric Switchover – The benefits In my previous newsletter dated 01/03/2021 I shared with you some benefits of electric cars for your business. I want to revisit that as there is still more to say on the matter. The Corporate Super Deduction Allowance (SDA) - 130% What is it? It is a 130% first year allowance deduction for expenditure incurred in purchasing plant & machinery (P & M)  that would normally qualify for main rate writing down allowance of 18%. When can you claim it? You can claim it for expenditure incurred on or after 1st April 2021 up to and including 31st March 2023. When is the expenditure deemed to be ...

***OUT NOW*** Are you stressed and overworked? Do you wish your customers paid you more? Do your customers value your work? Do you have a cash flow problem? If you have answered yes to any or all of the above, ‘The Quote Handbook’ is for you! Since 2013, I have worked as an accountant within the plumbing and heating industry, so I know the ins and outs of this trade from a financial perspective. I often find when gas engineers start up in business, they have massive drive and ambition. They dream of turning over £1million plus per annum, owning the best sign written vans, having office staff and a team of loyal, trustworthy engineers working for them - The Boss! They want the financial freedom, wish to retire young and leave a legacy behind which will make their family proud. Most plumbing and heating engineers are excellent on the tools, but with the running of the business, they fall short. Many plumbing and heating businesses churn out jobs and work to please their customers, with ...

Cars If you have been considering buying a new car for your business, then you may have wondered whether electric is the right way to go. In this newsletter we look at the benefits. Electric Switchover – The benefits There is a Government ‘plug in’ grant of up to £3,000 or 35% of the purchase price if lower, off the cost of acquiring a new car with CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km. It must have an electric mileage range of 70 miles or more and the recommended retail price (Including delivery fees and VAT) is less than £50,000. The car benefit charge for a pure electric car for the present tax year is nil. For the 2021/22 tax year it will be 1% of the list price (2% for 2022/23 – 2023/24 inclusive 2%). If an employee has a company car provided by their employer under a salary sacrifice arrangement, the taxable benefit is usually the higher of the salary given up or the taxable car benefit. This is not the case if the company car has CO2 emissions of less than 75g/km. Businesses that ...