Showing posts with label VAT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VAT. Show all posts

Friday, 26 January 2024

VAT fraud offset by selling gold bars

Image of Anthony Bond courtesy of HMRC
Gold bars, luxury watches and rare coins will be auctioned off to recover public money stolen in a VAT fraud.

Anthony Bond, 66, from Great Missenden, Bucks, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in April 2019 for a ‘missing trader’ VAT fraud.

He lived a luxury lifestyle after stealing millions of pounds and some of his assets will now be sold to recover money for the public purse.

The auction follows a court order that requires Bond to pay back over £1.8 million or face an extra eight years in jail.

Bond’s companies, all of which were based in Chesham, Bucks, dealt mainly in scrap silver and platinum but he used the business to steal VAT through a ‘missing trader’ fraud.

Bond used stolen money to fund a lifestyle that included regular overseas travel, a Spanish holiday home, high-value cars and jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Seized items including gold bars, luxury watches and rare coins will now be auctioned to recover the stolen money.

Debbie Porter, Operational Lead, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Bond stole vast amounts of money to fund a lavish lifestyle he had neither earned nor deserved.

“Our work does not stop when a fraudster is jailed, which is something Bond has discovered with the loss of his luxury assets.

“We will continue to pursue criminals until they repay the money they stole from honest taxpayers which should be used to fund vital public services.

“We urge anyone with information about tax fraud to report it to HMRC via the online form. Search ‘Report Fraud HMRC’ on GOV.UK.”

Bond claimed to have paid millions of pounds in VAT to suppliers over a six-year period.

He used missing traders, companies he knew would disappear and default on VAT payments, to evade paying £17 million.

If Bond does not pay back £1.839,317 by 18 April 2024, he will serve an extra eight years in prison and will still owe the money when he is eventually released.

Friday, 13 October 2023

Top Tools for Small Business Accounting

Accounting is an absolutely vital part of any successful business, regardless of its size. For small businesses, effective financial management is crucial to monitor expenses, track income, and make informed decisions.

 Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, there is an abundance of accounting tools and software available to simplify the process. In this blog post, we'll explore the top tools for small business accounting that can help you streamline your financial operations and keep your business on track.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a household name in the world of accounting software, and for good reason. It offers a range of solutions tailored to the needs of small businesses, including QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and QuickBooks Self-Employed. 

These tools allow you to manage expenses, track income, generate reports, and even connect with your bank for real-time transaction updates. QuickBooks is user-friendly and offers various integrations with other software to make accounting and financial management more efficient. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/uk/

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software designed with small businesses in mind. It offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and reporting. With FreshBooks, you can easily create professional invoices and accept online payments. It also offers a user-friendly mobile app for managing your finances on the go. https://www.freshbooks.com

Xero

Xero is another cloud-based accounting solution that is gaining popularity among small businesses. It provides a wide range of features, including invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, and inventory management. Xero's user-friendly interface and collaboration features make it a favourite among small business owners and their accountants. https://www.xero.com/

Wave

If you're looking for a free accounting software option, Wave is an excellent choice. It's a cloud-based platform that offers accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning tools for small business owners. Wave is especially suitable for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs who want to maintain a tight budget while managing their finances effectively. https://www.waveapps.com/

Zoho Books

Zoho Books is part of the Zoho suite of business tools, and it's a great choice for small businesses seeking a comprehensive accounting solution. It offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, inventory management, and project management. Zoho Books also integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications, providing a complete business management solution. https://www.zoho.com/uk/books/

Sage 50cloud

Sage 50cloud (formerly known as Peachtree) is an accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers features like invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll processing. Sage 50cloud can be a solid choice if you need more advanced features and robust reporting for your small business. https://www.sage.com/en-gb/products/sage-50-accounts/

QuickBooks Self-Employed

For freelancers, solopreneurs, and independent contractors, QuickBooks Self-Employed is an excellent tool. It's designed to help you track income and expenses, estimate quarterly taxes, and simplify your financial management as a self-employed professional. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

ZipBooks

ZipBooks is another free accounting software that provides basic accounting features, including invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting. While it may not offer as many advanced features as some paid options, it's a great choice for start-ups and small businesses looking to manage their finances without a hefty price tag. https://zipbooks.com/

Effective accounting is essential for the success of any small business. Fortunately, there is no shortage of accounting tools and software to choose from, each offering various features and capabilities. When selecting the right tool for your small business, consider your specific needs, budget, and how well the software integrates with your existing systems. By leveraging these top accounting tools, you can streamline your financial operations, save time, and make informed decisions to help your business thrive.

(Image courtesy of Steve Buissinne from Pixabay)

Thursday, 5 May 2011

VAT a concern? Not any longer


Top independent VAT and customs duty specialist, The VAT Consultancy, is today launching a new bite-sized programme of specialist webinars. The fast fact sessions will cover a broad range of topics as part of the company’s commitment to providing the latest intelligence in these complex financial arenas.

The webinar program kicked off at 9.30am Thursday 5th May with ‘Managing VAT Cashflows’, a critical topic for businesses of any size and never more important than in the current economic climate. VAT & Customs Director Julie Park will demonstrate how, with good housekeeping in this area, it is possible to add real value to the bottom line.

A second webinar, taking place at 2.00pm on Friday 6th May will look at Managing VAT for Academies, focusing on new rules which were introduced on 1 April 2011. VAT Director and local authority expert, Steve McIntyre will outline the changes, detail what can be claimed, how to do so, and provide tips on how to submit accurate returns.

The VAT Consultancy webinars are free. Register at vat@thevatconsultancy.com

For those unable to attend, a helpline is available via VAT webinar.