TAX RETURNS UPDATE:

For the tax year ending 5th April 2008, HM Revenue and Customs will no longer accept Self Assessment Tax Returns in a paper format after 5th October 2008. All returns after that date will need to be filed online.

If your home Internet connection is frustratingly slow or you don’t have a computer and are worried about using an Internet café then don’t panic! The Smooth Group can complete the online assessment for you taking away all the hassle.

Please note, that you can only file a Self Assessment Return online if you have been registered as a self-assessment taxpayer and have been allocated with a Unique Tax Reference (UTR).

The Smooth Group can help you by administering your Self Assessment Tax affairs on your behalf. All we will need is the necessary paperwork no later than 30 September 2008. This will enable us to resolve any queries regarding the your tax affairs and to file the necessary paperwork and information with HM Revenue and Customs on time to ensure you don’t suffer any late penalties. For information and the relevant documentation to be sent to you, please contact The Smooth Group on 0845 644 1871.

Mariske Byrnes from Smooth Tax told us that the Tax office recently confirmed that it is best to register as a self-assessment taxpayer (if needed) or, if you need to appoint an agent to act on your behalf, to have your agent register you as a self-assessment taxpayer under their care, by 5th October 2008. This will enable your agent to file your Self Assessment Tax Return online after 5th October 2008.

PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCES:

Some good news! On the 13th of May, Chancellor Alistair Darling announced that he would increase personal tax allowances by £600 this year, funding the handout through additional borrowing.

The change will be backdated to 6 April 2008 and should fully compensate four-fifths of the 5.3 million who lost out from the abolition of the 10p rate. This will see personal income tax allowances increased from £5,435 to £6,035 (as a one-off measure) this year, which will take effect from September 2008.

TAX REBATES:

If you are not liable to file a Self Assessment Tax return, The Smooth Group can still help you!

If you are either returning to your home country, or feel that you may have overpaid in taxes for any previous tax year, we can help you claim back any overpayments in tax. It is possible for an individual to claim for up to 6 tax years.

It is very important to always keep your P60s (end of tax year forms) and P45s (end of employment forms), as HM Revenue and Customs will not process a tax rebate without these forms. For The Smooth Group to administer your tax rebate on your behalf, we will need the right HMRC forms from you. Please contact us so that we can send you the necessary documentation and instructions.

IMMIGRATION UPDATE:

On the 30 June 2008 the new points-based tier system, introduced by the UK’s Home Office, comes into effect on a global basis. Urvi Shah from our Immigration Department explains that this date is a milestone for the changes that were launched by the Home Office on 28 February this year, as it will be the date that marks the completion of the roll-out of Tier 1 (General) and the introduction of Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Post Study Work). Urvi goes on to explain, “ Tier 1 will replace the eight existing immigration categories which we know as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, Business People, Fresh Talent, Working in Scotland Scheme, International Graduates Scheme, Innovators, Investors, Self-employed Lawyers and Writers and finally the Writers, Composers and Artists category. Anyone currently in the UK under one of these categories who wishes to extend their stay will need to apply under the appropriate Tier 1 category of the points-based system when their existing permission to stay ends.”

If you are affected by these immigration rule changes and would like further information on the new immigration laws then please contact us. Further information releases will be covered in future newsletters.

TRAVEL & SCHENGEN VISAS

Thinking about going abroad on holiday this summer? Need a Travel or Schengen visa for the place you’d like to visit? The Smooth Group is on hand to help you get the visa you need. We can assist with French Schengen Visas and travel visas to Egypt, Canada and Ireland.

Happy Summer Holidays!

SA AIRWAYS ICONS Competition;

South African Airways launches the "SAA-Icons" campaign in honour of Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday.

Inspired by the lifelong work of Nelson Mandela, SAA is launching the South African Airways Icons 2008 list to celebrate the Birthday of "Madiba" as he is affectionately known. South African Airways invites entrants to vote for their top dreamer from the last 90 years, heroes and inspirational humans, who have demonstrated and share many of Mandela's characteristics - dignity, courage, humanity, humility, persistence, forgiveness, kindness, and more.

The campaign introduces icons from various disciplines including, Medicine, Science, Arts, Politics, Religion, Music, Sports, Teaching, Technology and more, and highlights exemplary efforts that ordinary people have made.

To mark this occasion South African Airways has partnered with The Telegraph to give away 90 return flights to the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, South Africa. 45 entrants stand to win 2 of the 90 tickets to match the years this honoured man has lived, by participating in the creation of an icons list, by public votes online. To have your say and join us in wishing Mr Mandela an honoured happy birthday, vote or enter the competition at www.saa-icons.com.

In order for us to offer additional services to you, for example how to increase your take home pay, The Smooth Group, a member of Charterhouse Group International may need to exchange information concerning you with other companies within the Charterhouse Group. Your information will only be used within the Charterhouse Group. Please click here if you wish to opt out.

Smooth Group Limited
1 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays, London, SE16 2XU
Tel: 0845 644 1871 Email: info@mysmoothgroup.com
www.mysmoothgroup.com
OISC Registered No: F200300158

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