LAST CHANCE SALOON

THE Self employed have just 2 weeks to take advantage of tax relief on pension payments according to a leading regional firm of accountants. Duncan Sheard Glass (DSG) is urging people who are self employed to make a pension contribution before 31 January 2005, the date that income tax bills are due to be paid. Those making this contribution could receive up to 40% relief rather than the standard basic rate.

DSG's financial planning department's Roy Crawford said:- "Many self employed people do not realise that they could be missing out on substantial savings.

During the lead up to the deadline for income tax payments the majority of businesses are pre-occupied with paying their tax bill and are unaware of ways in which they could be claiming relief.

This is unfortunate as making a pension contribution before 31 January is one of the obvious ways in which payments could be dramatically reduced."

INLAND REVENUE BOOTLE WARNING

BOOTLE Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre will be staying open late on Monday 31st January to help customers who have yet to complete their Self Assessment Tax Returns.

Anyone who was sent a 2003 / 04 Tax Return by 31 October 2004 must return the completed form by Monday 31 January otherwise they may be charged a penalty of £100.

To help customers, the following office will remain open until 8pm on Monday 31 January:- BOOTLE.

NNTG Update...

THE band No Where Near The Garden, who are featured on our online radio (Liverpool Reporter), has been on SKY TV on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 January with their video for 'String'. James has been out of the country, Jase is preparing for a percussion concert and it looks like Rog will be writing music for TV. NNTG should be hitting a stage near you in April as part of New Blood Of British Metal tour http: / / www.amust4.net / nbobm /

EMPLOYERS... DO IT ONLINE AND GET £825 TAX FREE

MERSEYSIDE Employers who have fewer than 50 employees can get up to £825, tax-free over five years if they file their Tax Returns, electronically. Filing online is secure, quick and convenient.

Local employers can find out more by attending the Inland Revenue's Business Support Team Workshop.

The Workshop is being held at the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool on Friday 28 January 2005, between 9.30am and 5pm

To book an appointment and for more information employers should call 01704 503451. There is no charge to attend the Workshop.

Small firms deserve better disability law guidance

A leading business pressure group says a guide produced by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) aimed at helping small businesses comply with changes to disability legislation, is ambigious and long winded.

The new rules, which came in last October and are part of the Disability Discrimination Act, require businesses and service providers to make "reasonable" changes to ensure that people in wheelchairs, the blind, the deaf and those with other disabilities can access premises. But the Forum of Private Business said many small businesses would remain confused as to how to comply after reading DRC's compliance guide:- "Making Access to Goods and Services Easier for Disabled Customers: A Practical Guide for Small Businesses and Other Service Providers.

To expect businesses to familiarise themselves with a 68 page document which offers little clear guidance is absurd.  You can read this guide and still be none the wiser as to what changes you should make to your business, particularly if you have not had any complaint. What is needed is a concise guide written in straightforward understandable language that provides accurate practical advice." said FPB Chief Executive Nick Goulding.

Mr Goulding said:- "Disability rights groups publicising their intention to launch legal challenges against businesses are not helping small firms. The FPB believes that going straight into legal action is ill-advised and unhelpful.  Small businesses want to comply with this legislation and understand that there are sound economic and social reasons for doing so. Instead of weighing in with a sledgehammer the disability rights groups should be working with small businesses to produce practical solutions to any problems.

Recent press reports create the impression that businesses are under pressure to comply or they will face punitive fines resulting from test cases brought by disability groups. In fact it is only those businesses that ignore advice, or legal notification to make changes or choose to do nothing that will land themselves in trouble.

The FPB would advise businesses to consult with disabled customers and define what reasonable steps can be taken to improve disabled access on a case by case basis."

LOCAL VICAR WINS AWARD

A LOCAL vicar has won a bursary award from Ecclesiastical Insurance to develop his interest in the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church. The reverend Rodney Middleton, vicar of St James the Great in Haydock, will spend time working alongside mission priests in Barcelona and Tarragona. 

He was presented with the award at a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral Chapter House on Wednesday 12 January by the chairman of Ecclesiastical Insurance, Mr Nicholas Sealy. 

Altogether 19 members of the clergy received awards from Ecclesiastical Insurance at the ceremony.