Chapman, Robinson & Moore February Update

Can I claim?… Pandemic working from home expenses

With more people working at home than ever before, deciphering the tax relief on those home-related expenses is no longer solely the headache of the self-employed. In addition to getting your head around the regular policies, there are some new COVID-specific rules that now apply.

I employ people who work from home
Employers can still make tax-free and NI-free payments to cover employees’ reasonable additional expenses. The employee must be doing some or all of their work at home, under homeworking arrangements (ie. they work from home frequently or it follows a pattern of so many days per week). Taking work home to do outside office hours doesn’t count.

Learn what you’re able to claim on

Unpredictable cash flow management

One thing the uncertainty of the past year has taught us is that events beyond our control can have a disruptive and sometimes catastrophic affect on our business strategy. The global pandemic and subsequent economic recession; Brexit and subsequent trade difficulties; political elections and social unrest worldwide; climate change – are all putting enormous strain on businesses.

Even in ‘normal’ times, cash flow is one of the biggest challenges and threats to business success. Every organisation experiences periods where cash flow is extremely tight and they struggle to meet their monthly overheads. Keeping the finances under control and properly planned can ensure business survival and promote growth, but how is that possible in such unpredictable times?

The best way to manage your cash flow in uncertain times

Social media & the pandemic

Our friends over at ads creative solutions have shared their top five reasons why businesses should be active on social media during the pandemic.

We asked the excellent marketing, design and advertising agency, ads creative solutions, to help us understand how to use the social media landscape to maximise our business marketing in these difficult times. Thanks to Kelly and the team for this insightful blog: The pandemic has changed how we work in countless ways, from something as simple as working from home or completely restructuring your business plan to meet the demands of what is the new normal.

What are ads creative solutions’ top tips?

Keeping your Health & Fitness business in a fit state

Our Health & Fitness sector expert Emma Bullock has been busy guiding gym, spa, personal training and beauty clients through the immense challenges of the past year. As a keen gym-goer herself, Emma is passionate about the sector and has seen first-hand the tremendous impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on businesses.

Before 2020, the UK’s fitness sector was booming, with over 10 million memberships at thousands of locations across the country and a market value of £5.1 billion in 2019, according to independent database specialist LeisureDB. Driven by a more health-conscious population, this equated to one in seven of us with a fitness membership.

Read what Emma has to say

Planning your net carbon zero strategy for 2021?

Is 2021 the year you want to set targets to make your business net carbon zero? Before setting your net zero target, it’s vital that you understand the path to take and begin with small steps to reducing emissions steadily and sustainably.

The first step to take is to determine what net zero means to your business, as one size doesn’t fit all. It can be hard to wade through the levels of definitions to create a credible roadmap that enhances your green credentials rather than damages them.

What you can do to reach net carbon zero