Crystal Blog

Thank you for clicking on the link.  We’ll keep this article short, so here goes…. What is RTI and how do you get a penalty? RTI stands for Real Time Information.  First introduced in April 2013 and is a way for employers to notify HM Revenue & Customs how much they owe in income tax, […]

Whether you missed a payment deadline due to oversight or unexpected circumstances, understanding how to appeal a late payment penalty can save you time and money. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, providing tips to increase your chances of a successful appeal, along with our short video showing you the actual process. […]

Updated on September 18, 2024. For those seeking HR and Employment Advice, this post provides up-to-date information that can help you navigate the complexities of the workplace. Over time, we have received numerous inquiries from our clients about a comprehensive HR and Employment Advice Service tailored for larger employers. In response to this demand we're […]

Have you been asked to “get the contractor sorted”, but aren’t really sure what that means? If so, you’re not alone. For many businesses, contractors and subcontractors are part of day-to-day operations, but misusing these terms, or misunderstanding their meaning, can lead to expensive payroll errors, HMRC fines, and serious HR issues. We've put this […]

A short introductory HMRC presentation for tax agents covering the way in which penalties can be applied for inaccuracies in tax information, documents and returns supplied to HMRC. For more detailed information, please watch the longer presentation on the HMRC YouTube channel.

Contractors in the building industry are often very busy.  Now is a good time to make sure you’re getting everything right for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Successful businesses normally plan ahead, so make sure you have the time to avoid making mistakes. Learn about being a contractor in CIS by watching our two short […]

Thousands of businesses are applying for Growth Vouchers. It’s a government scheme that covers up to half the cost of getting professional advice for your business. Click here to apply. Growth Vouchers is a government scheme to help businesses like yours get strategic business advice. Businesses can get a grant of up to £2,000 towards […]

Thousands of small businesses have benefited from HMRC live webinars, and HMRC receive a lot of positive feedback about the service. If you haven’t attended one of their webinars yet, then you may be missing out on important help with your taxes. A few of HMRC's upcoming webinars are listed below.  If you work in […]

Introduction As an employee, your employer deducts National Insurance contributions from your wages and pays it to HMRC. However this is not the same if you work for yourself. When you are self-employed you are responsible for paying your National Insurance contributions to HMRC. There are two types of National Insurance contributions that you may […]

Got a lot of questions about tax, National Insurance, business records and expenses? Our articles will build your confidence by guiding you through everything you need to know to get started. There are useful tips from others who have been where you are now and practical case studies to help you along the way. We […]

Tribunal ruling links holiday pay to overtime An employment tribunal recently ruled in favour of an employee who argued that his holiday pay should reflect his overtime pay as well as his basic wages. The case has implications for how employers apply the rules under the Working Time Regulations and has moved the UK closer […]

An independent complaints review body has ordered HMRC to pay £4.4m in refunds and write-offs last year and upheld 94% of PAYE complaints. The tax adjudicator – currently Judy Clements OBE – reviews complaints against HMRC, as well as against the Valuation Office Agency and the Insolvency Service. Her annual report for 2013/14 shows that […]