Whilst I’m not big on New Year Resolutions as they are so often and quickly broken, as we start another New Year, it is an opportunity to look afresh at what we do and how we do it. Should we do things differently? Can we be more effective in achieving our goals? Are there ways that we don’t perform well as an organisation that need some attention? NOW is as good a time as any to do something about it.
There are sometimes issues that are forced on us, and in 2013 this will be the case. Changes in legislation that take effect in April will force one issue, but also provide us with an opportunity. I am talking about the changes to PAYE reporting known as Real Time Information (RTI) that we have no choice in complying with, and the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme that gives us the opportunity to claim some additional money back from the taxman!
Real Time Information (RTI)
If you are employing staff, then you will need to run a PAYE system to pay them. From April 2013, due to the need for the government to gather additional data for the new Universal Credit, you will have to report more information to HMRC, and more regularly than currently. Instead of making an annual report of PAYE information, this will now need to be sent to HMRC every time that you pay staff.
All PAYE systems will need to be electronic and you will need to ensure that whatever system/software that you use has made the necessary changes. This will enable the regular reports to be sent online directly to HMRC. There will be penalties for those getting it wrong from April 6th this year.
There is further information available, but if you need any help with these changes, or you need someone to run a payroll system for you, please give me a call and I would be pleased to help.
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme
Isn’t it nice to take money off the taxman instead of the other way around? Hopefully, as a charity, you are claiming Gift Aid on your donations – and if not then you really do need to get in touch with me.
From April, the new Small Donations Scheme will allow you to claim Gift Aid on anonymous donations up to £5,000 (as long as any single donation is not over £20) without requiring donors to complete a Gift Aid Declaration. This means that, if you are claiming Gift Aid already, you will be able to claim up to an additional £1,250 from the taxman.
There are conditions relating to eligibility where you need to be already claiming Gift Aid to be able to claim these additional monies. Again, if you need any help relating to this new Scheme – or are not already claiming Gift Aid and need help to get registered to do so, please get in touch.
The Alliance For the Voluntary Services (AFVS) is an umbrella body that provides advice and support to charities, and I am an associate adviser for the organisation. AFVS has detailed briefings available on both of these issues – as well as many others. If you are interested in becoming a member – or would like me to send you a copy of either briefing, please let me know. For more details, please look at www.afvs.org.uk.
This year will be a challenge for all of us – as a good friend of mine says “there will be winners and losers”. Make sure that you are ready for these changes and help you increase your chance of being in the ‘winners’ category!
Please get in touch if I can help you with these issues – or anything else to do with the running of your organisation.
Finally, can I wish you all a happy, successful and prosperous 2013 – let’s set ourselves up to be winners!