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For all the talk of recessions and rising inflation and interest rates, employment levels seem to be higher than ever. As of this summer, the UK unemployment rate sits at an estimated 3.5% – the lowest it’s been since 1974.

This may be partially due to the fact that more people in the UK over 65 years old are either remaining in work or going back to work even after reaching retirement age.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that in the second quarter of 2022, the number of people in employment aged 65 or above increased to a record 1.468 million. The increase of 173,000 from the previous quarter was also a new record.

You may be wondering what exactly this means. Is it good or bad news for our ageing population that older people are working for longer? Will it become necessary for people over 65 to continue working instead of retiring when they reach State Pension age?

Here’s what you need to know about these record-breaking statistics, and what you should do if you’re worried about planning for retirement or continuing to work as a pensioner.

Just over a month ago, then Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced a series of proposals as part of the government’s Growth Plan. These included several upgrades to the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), which helps companies to raise money.

However, after Kwarteng’s departure from the position a few weeks later, his replacement Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced on 17th October that the government would actually be making a U-turn on the majority of the measures in Kwarteng’s plan.

There were few clear survivors from this mini-budget reversal, but the proposed SEIS changes seem to have made it through. Hunt’s speech stated that they will, “continue with […] the wider reforms to investment taxes”, which SEIS adjustments would surely be a part of.

While nothing permanent has been announced or approved yet, full details of the government’s updated plans should be published soon – though the new tax and spending plan originally anticipated on Halloween has been pushed back to 17th November.

In the meantime, here’s what we know about the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme updates, and how they could help if the government pushes them through.

The last few weeks have been chaotic for the UK government. Due to the ever-changing plans for taxation and investment procedures, business owners especially have been affected.
After then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget proposals caused government borrowing to rise and the value of the pound to drop at the end of September, his replacement Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stated on 17th October that most of the unvetted proposals would be cancelled.
If any owner-managed business had already begun making decisions for their future operations based on Kwarteng’s proposals, these reversals will have thrown a spanner in the works.
Here’s what you need to know about which tax changes have been axed and which ones owner-managers can still expect to benefit from in the next tax year.

The government’s rules for working off-payroll, known as IR35, apply when workers or contractors provide services through their own company or an intermediary, ensuring that workers pay the same Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) as direct employees.

The IR35 reforms introduced in 2017 and 2021 were poorly received across the public and private sectors. So, when previous Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced in September that these reforms would be rolled back in the next tax year as part of the Growth Plan 2022, many contractors and businesses welcomed this reversal.

However, new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed in his first statement to the House of Commons in October that many of the measures proposed by Kwarteng would no longer be going ahead. This includes the repeal of the IR35 reforms, leaving the current implementation the same.

With so much confusion over the government’s tax plans, where does this leave IR35 – and what should contractors and businesses do now?

Though VAT-registered businesses should be submitting tax returns through Making Tax Digital already, some businesses have been able to continue using their VAT online account as well.

However, from Tuesday 1st November, this option will not be available for businesses filing monthly or quarterly VAT returns. The only option is to file through Making Tax Digital using compatible software – otherwise, your business could face a penalty from HMRC from 1st January 2023.

As difficult as adjusting to the new system might be, Making Tax Digital isn’t here to catch you out. It’s here to help reduce errors and make filing and paying VAT easier so businesses can get it right the first time. According to gov.uk, over 1.8 million businesses are benefitting from MTD, with more than 19 million tax returns filed through the service already.

If you’re concerned about Making Tax Digital penalties, here’s a quick guide to what could happen if you don’t file your VAT returns correctly, and what you can do to make sure your business complies with the new rules and doesn’t receive a financial penalty.

Every business using temporary labour should be aware of the potential for mini umbrella company fraud in their supply chain, which is why HMRC recently released updated guidance on this issue.
No matter which industry you work in, a fraudulent mini umbrella company (MUC) could pose serious risks to your business. Not only will you be participating in criminal activity if you get caught up in a tax fraud scheme, but the financial and reputational damage could destroy your business.
Not to mention that MUCs abusing the VAT Flat Rate Scheme and National Insurance contribution allowances will result in your workers not receiving the money and tax benefits they’re entitled to.
This blog explains everything you need to know about mini umbrella company fraud, including how to look out for it and what you should do if you need to report a mini umbrella company to HMRC.