News

Daily Automotive Retail Update 9th of April

09-04-2020

ASE Gloabal Announces Daily Covid-19 updates from our Chairman Mike Jones. Please watch the video to be up to date with all the latest news. Update from 9th of April

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Daily Automotive Retail Update 8th of April

08-04-2020

ASE Gloabal Announces Daily Covid-19 updates from our Chairman Mike Jones. Please watch the video to be up to date with all the latest news. Update from 8th of April

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Daily Automotive Retail Update 7th of April

07-04-2020

ASE Gloabal Announces Daily Covid-19 updates from our Chairman Mike Jones. Please watch the video to be up to date with all the latest news. Update from 7th of April

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ASE Coronavirus Update

06-04-2020

On 4th April the Government published an update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The full details of the changes are set out below. Guidance - Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Guidance - Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Summary of Changes The changes include…

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Relaxation in company car tax rules

06-04-2020

With all but essential travel now banned, car journeys have become a rarity. Consequently, dealers have been telling us that employees are trying to hand their cars back to avoid incurring a benefit in kind. Due to social distancing measures, employers are reluctant for these vehicles to be physically returned and have so refused. The good news is…

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Daily Automotive Retail Update 6th of April

06-04-2020

ASE Gloabal Announces Daily Covid-19 updates from our Chairman Mike Jones. Please watch the video to be up to date with all the latest news. Update from 6th of April

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Delay to “digital links” requirement for VAT MTD

04-04-2020

In a welcome move, the need for your different VAT systems to be digitally linked under Making Tax Digital has been delayed until next year. These rules had specifically excluded the use of ‘cut and paste’ or ‘copy and paste’ as a way of inputting information from say your DMS into a spreadsheet, but some dealers have struggled…

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Daily Automotive Retail Update

03-04-2020

ASE Gloabal Announces Daily Covid-19 updates from our Chairman Mike Jones. Please watch the video to be up to date with all the latest news.

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Answers to Furlough Questions raised during the Auto Trader webinar to Mike Jones, Chairman of ASE Plc, on Wednesday 25th March

02-04-2020

Hundreds of questions were submitted during the webinar to Mike and lots of them were around Furlough, so ASE has produced a Q&A guide to try and help retailers through this unprecedented timeIn case if you would like to watch the recorded webinar: 1. click the link below 2. Leave your details 3. Proceed watching the webinar https://What-options-do-Retailers-have-amidst-COVID-19?…

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ASE Coronavirus Update

01-04-2020

ASE Coronavirus Update As at 1 April there have been no specific further announcements by the Government concerning the core issues that face businesses; loan facilities, meeting liabilities and furloughing of staff. However, anecdotal evidence is now beginning to circulate as to the effectiveness of the measures announced and in particular the availability…

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Coronavirus and Insolvency

30-03-2020

Various new sources reported on Saturday 27th March that the Insolvency Service, which sits within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has begun canvassing views among restructuring professionals about urgent changes to company legislation. The reforms, which would be implemented through emergency laws, could include…

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Coronavirus and the Self Employed

27-03-2020

The Government has finally published guidance for the self-employed. The guidance is very comprehensive and set out in the attached link. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme The guidance sets out a grant of 80% of trading profits over years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 or…

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Coronavirus and Employees

27-03-2020

The Government have published more details about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will operate. It is a very detailed set of guidelines enabling employers and employees to have a clear understanding of the way forward. There are some oddities and there are certain contrasts to those self-employed that may well need a little more clarification in…

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Commission Payments and the Corona Virus Job Retention Scheme Addendum

27-03-2020

We have had a number of queries regarding how commissions factor in to the calculation of pay for the purposes of this scheme. Although the government guidance states that bonuses and commission do not form part of earnings this should be interpreted to mean one off payments which are made irregularly. Where such amounts are used to calculate…

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Further Accounts Filing Extension

25-03-2020

It seems like ages ago that the Chancellor stood alongside Boris Johnson and announced £330bn of loans which would be made available to businesses through banks with an 80% guarantee from the government. The larger business loans, which effectively require them to issue corporate paper, will not be applicable to the most of the motor trade.…

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Further Accounts Filing Extension

25-03-2020

Companies House have just announced that from today (25 March) the extension to the year end accounts filing deadline is to be increased to three months due to any inability to file on time as a result of CoVid-19. You will still need to apply for the extension online (takes no more than 15 minutes) and if you cite COVID-19 or Health issues as the…

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Additional extension rules for MOT`s

25-03-2020

From 30 March 2020, MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans are being extended by 6 months to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The extension is automatic. Cars failing their MOT before 30 March 2020 will not get the extension and will need to pass the MOT before they can be driven. The government is still allowing MOT centres and…

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Coronavirus, the Employed and the Self Employed (“the Furloughed”)

24-03-2020

Coronavirus, the Employed and the Self Employed (“the Furloughed”) Employees The concept of supporting employee earnings is now beginning to register such that businesses are “furloughing” employees albeit the detail remains unclear. The latest from HMRC gives HM Treasury the power to direct HMRC to pay grants to businesses…

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ASE COVID-19 Business Continuity Response

24-03-2020

Dear All, Following the Prime Minister’s announcement last night I wanted to share a quick update from everyone at ASE Automotive Solutions. As a business we have taken the necessary decision to instruct all our employees to work from home and will be closing the Manchester office for three weeks. This will be reviewed regularly,…

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Coronavirus Update – Saturday 21st March 2020

21-03-2020

Coronavirus Update – Saturday 21st March 2020 At 9pm on 20th March, HMG published two very important notes that all businesses operators should read as soon as possible. The links are noted below. COVID-19: support for businesses COVID-19: guidance for employees ASE Commentary Unlike many documents published by HMG, these two…

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Help for businesses

20-03-2020

At Budget 2020 on Wednesday 11 March, the Chancellor announced a ‘Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme’, and that it would become available ‘over the coming weeks’. The new scheme will become available in week commencing 23 March 2020. The scheme provides the lender with a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding…

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ASE Global Advice & Guidance Automotive Dealer Support What to do? – CoVid19

20-03-2020

We at ASE understand this is a unique emergency. Therefore, the likelihood of more “unknown unknowns” revealing themselves is very real. It is difficult not to be overwhelmed by such uncertainty, but survival depends on accepting uncertainty will be a constant for the foreseeable future and being prepared to be agile…

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Business rates and Coronavirus

19-03-2020

Where a business occupies a property in the retail sector with a rateable value of £51,000 or more, or if your business occupies a property in the leisure or hospitality sectors, the Government have announced that the business may be eligible for the 100% discount on your business rates bill. If your business is in the retail, hospitality or…

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Coronavirus and SSP changes

18-03-2020

On March 11, Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a new £12 billion plan to combat the Coronavirus. This includes temporary changes to SSP legislation and support for employers. Here’s what bureaux, employers and employees need to know. What’s changing? Under the current legislation, employees must wait…

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Coronavirus and IR35

18-03-2020

The Government has announced a last-minute postponement to the implementation of the Off-Payroll Tax to the private sector in light of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, with the legislation now due to be reintroduced in April 2021. The decision was taken following significant pressure from contractors and others who warned that the inevitable loss of work…

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Coronavirus and Financial support

18-03-2020

In last week’s Budget, the Chancellor provided £30 billion of support to the economy to deal with the crisis by investing in public services, increasing support for vulnerable people and providing business with tax reliefs and loans. I think we were all astonished at the quantum of support and perhaps took little notice of his further comment…

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Areas to consider and focus upon in these difficult times

18-03-2020

General Communicate with all staff the current guidance on keeping safe Review current debtor situation and chase for payment Dispose of all non-retail used card to generate cash Review of all supplier agreements and terms Review and understand Government support Carry out cash flow modelling to look at scenarios from minimum downturn (10%) to extreme…

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Coronavirus and Taxation

17-03-2020

The medical opinion seems to be forecasting that more and more people self isolate in the coming weeks as the world struggles to cope with the virus. Along with many other staff, I am now grounded at ASE with virtually no clients willing to allow us to attend audits / hold meetings. Lord knows how businesses will be expected to go about their normal…

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Accounts Filing Extension

16-03-2020

Companies House have just announced that they are willing to grant a 30 day extension to the year end accounts filing deadline due to any inability to file on time due to CoVid-19. The application can be made online or by post and they are committing to decide on all applications within 5 days. The application must include the company number, information…

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Holiday Pay Entitlement

16-03-2020

From 6 April 2020, “the government will be changing the holiday pay reference period that applies for calculating an average week’s pay where a worker has variable remuneration” comments Martin Redfern Taxation Manager at ASE Plc. Variable remuneration exists where there are normal working hours, but the remuneration varies due to:…

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“ASE can help you manage your business remotely”

15-03-2020

“ASE can help you manage your business remotely” As the UK government continues to make additional announcements in relation to the recent Covid-19 virus the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise. Whilst at the moment it is business as usual in the main, we expect that we will see an increase in the number of people required…

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How does the Chancellors announcements affect motor retailers?

11-03-2020

As taxpayers, we look and listen to Chancellors delivering their budget in the expectation that he or she will say something directly relevant to what it is we are interested in such that we often spend little time listening to what he or she has said overall. The motor dealership network and their advisors are no less guilty of this than any other…

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Weathering the storm with ASE

03-03-2020

As the met office declared last month to be the wettest February on record, police in flood hit South Wales declared a temporary critical incident. Meanwhile emergency services, councils and other bodies have worked hard to try and protect, property, infrastructure as well as residents. In addition, several Welsh Automotive retailers have been badly…

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Profitability Statistics - December 2019

03-02-2020

Average UK car retailer profitability for December 2019. Click to download Profitiability Statistics December 2018

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Just how hard is it to get things wrong when you think you are saving carefully for your retirement?

31-01-2020

Just how hard is it to get things wrong when you think you are saving carefully for your retirement? “It is not just a case of saving for retirement or investing it in the right way, HMRC set out a minefield of traps that you need to avoid or woe betide the unwary” says Nick Lanigan, Tax advisor at ASE Plc. If you get things wrong then…

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Who Regulates The Regulators

31-01-2020

With all of the talk in the last few days about Huawei and who is watching who, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has suffered the embarrassment of being fined by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) over deficiencies in the paperwork relating to its pension scheme The pension watchdog fined the FCA Pension Plan £2,000, the maximum possible, during…

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Happy New Year

13-01-2020

It’s all go at present within the Personal Tax Department at ASE Plc with clients keen to file their tax returns by 31 January 2020 deadline. Michelle Malone, Tax Director, commented that “most taxpayers know the drill nowadays and so it’s only in one or two cases where reminders are necessary to encourage the more reluctant to file…

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Christmas is the time for goodwill

11-12-2019

Christmas is a time for goodwill to all men according to the carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the American Civil War ….but not it appears at HMRC where the taxpayer remains fair game. In a new case, Taylor Pearson (Construction) v HMRC 2019 (UKFTT 691), on 6th December,…

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Profitability Statistics - October 2019

04-12-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for October 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics October 2019

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Spot the difference?

11-11-2019

In the case of R Toome and another v W Ross and another EWHC 2855 decided on 30th October, the court held that monies paid into an employee benefit trust where the company subsequently became insolvent amounted to unreasonable behaviour by the directors notwithstanding that the court had some “empathy” with the directors who they believed…

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Profitability Statistics - September 2019

06-11-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for September 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics September 2019

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An open tax system or the "gates of the Kremlin"?

04-11-2019

An open tax system or the “gates of the Kremlin”? Is it realistic to assume that where HMRC publish information either in letter, booklet or on the internet, a taxpayer should be able to rely upon it to be both accurate and binding? Can we trust statements made by HMRC to be binding as to the consequences they highlight? Where a taxpayer…

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Profitability Statistics - November 2019

01-11-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for November 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics November 2019

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Just what is deliberate?

28-10-2019

Just what is deliberate? In a recent case a taxpayer set himself up as a tax consultant specialising in the racing industry. In addition he bought and sold racehorses. He described himself as a thoroughbred (horse) dealer. He argued that losses which he made trading horses were tax allowable against other income. HMRC argued otherwise and the Tribunal…

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FCA Senior Managers Certification Regime (“SMCR”)

28-10-2019

With effect from 9th December 2019, Motor Dealers who are registered as a credit broker with the FCA must comply with the new Senior Managers Certification Regime. The aim of the SMCR is to encourage greater individual accountability and higher levels of personal conduct for those involved in the provision of credit broking. Senior Managers (a…

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Profitability Statistics - August 2019

07-10-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for August 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics August 2019

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Beware of 30th September 2019

12-09-2019

Beware of 30th September 2019 In Finance Act (no 2) 2017 HMRc introduced a charge on “disguised remuneration”. It is conveniently known as the “loan charge”. Martin Redfern of ASE Plc commented that the loan charge “it is an attempt to impose an Income Tax and NIC liability upon both employers and individuals where…

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VAT on Deposit Payments

02-09-2019

VAT on Deposit Payments From March 2019, HMRC have new legislation which they are now using to recover VAT on deposit payments in circumstances where the customer has not completed the sale but equally has not requested the repayment of the deposit. In these circumstances the dealer may well have accounted for the VAT on the deposit and…

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Profitability Statistics - July 2019

02-09-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for July 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics July 2019

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Profitability Statistics - June 2019

06-08-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for June 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics June 2019

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ASE Global Partners Alliance Manchester Business School Programme

29-07-2019

Together they will research future of consultancy services in the global automotive sector ASE Global, the automotive industry advisor, is to partner with the prestigious Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) Programme of MSc Business Analysis and Strategic Management. Part of the University of Manchester AMBS runs its programme annually…

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Construction Expenses and the new Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA)

29-07-2019

Construction Expenses and the new Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA) SBA, introduced in 2018, is designed to give an immediate relief against taxation for any capital expenditure on buildings for which there is no other relief (such as capital allowances). The rate is calculated at 2% per annum of the cost to construct a building or structure.…

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Life, Death and Taxes – a modern reflection?

29-07-2019

The Labour Party has published a report entitled “Land for the Many” – see attached link https://landforthemany.uk/ In the report, there is both good news and bad news One of its principal recommendations is that inheritance tax should be abolished, and replaced with a lifetime gifts tax levied on the recipient. One the face of it,…

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Profitability Statistics - May 2019

05-07-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for May 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics May 2019

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Putting our customers’ data security first

27-06-2019

In today’s digital era trust between a vendor and its customers is more important than ever, but it is also harder than ever to protect because the threats to this relationship are no longer just physical, but also online and can happen at anytime. That is why we have always prioritised data security at ASE Global. We recognise how…

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Profitability Statistics - April 2019

11-06-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for April 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics April 2019

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Building scale, winning share - expanding our global reach

29-05-2019

Building scale, winning share – expanding our global reach ASE Global expanded its service offering and geographic footprint with the acquisition of Edentity Software Solutions, an Austria-headquartered automotive software provider. The acquisition has allowed us to grow our network in central Europe, and to provide more comprehensive software…

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If it looks like a van is it possible that it is in fact a car

16-05-2019

If it looks like a Van is it possible that it is in fact a Car. The distinction between whether a vehicle is a car or a van is important for the purposes of whether an employee is subject to tax on a benefit in kind provided by his or her employer. Coca Cola supplied employees estate cars but in 1997 decided that employees needed vans. The users claimed…

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Minister Counsellor Bao Ling Visits ASE Global’s Headquarters

15-05-2019

MINISTER COUNSELLOR BAO LING, HEAD OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTION, CHINESE EMBASSY VISITS ASE GLOBAL’S HEADQUARTERS Meeting comes as ASE Global explores opportunities for the automotive industry in China ASE Global, the automotive industry advisor, was delighted to recently welcome Minister Counsellor Ms Bao Ling, the Head of the Commercial Section…

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How well are your used car sales performing

14-05-2019

From the start of 2019 ASE have witnessed significantly more demand for used car sales consulting. Please see below the high level details from one of our recent assignments. On 15th January 2019, we started to work with one of our UK Dealers to see if we could help reverse current losses. Trevor Jones says: At that point, first half…

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VAT – hints and tips from our experts

08-05-2019

VAT just how simple can a simple tax be? VAT is a simple tax – the consumer / end user pays the VAT whilst the business recovers the VAT charged upon goods and services it uses. Given that the rate of tax is 20%, one can almost calculate the VAT in your head or at the very least on a piece of paper, a pen and a calculator, deducting the VAT you…

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Profitability Statistics - March 2019

02-05-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for March 2019

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Finance act 2019

23-04-2019

Despite the sense that all that Parliament has been addressing in recent months is Brexit, the Finance Act has been published changing the taxation landscape in relation to the taxation of properties. Bearing in mind that for many motor dealers property assets are the single most significant added value component of the net worth of a business, the…

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Electric charging points

11-04-2019

The environmental rejection of both lead free petrol and diesel vehicles has led to an increase in interest in hybrid vehicles, but in future vehicles that are fully electric will become the norm on our roads.According to the RAC, the network of public chargers is best suited for longer journeys, with a rapid charging unit providing up to 80% of charge…

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Profitability Statistics - February 2019

03-04-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for February 2019 Click to download Profitiability Statistics February 2019

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Act now to avoid filing P11Ds by payrolling benefits in kind

01-04-2019

The rush to file P11Ds in July can put pressure on already stretched dealership accounting resources. By opting to payroll benefits in kind, this could be the last year you have to file these forms. You will need to act quickly though as you must inform HMRC of your decision before the start of the tax year in April.With payrolling, instead…

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Personal contract purchase - VAT change advice from HMRC

25-03-2019

On 27 February 2019, HMRC published advice to the motor trade concerning “personal contract purchase” agreements (“PCP’s”) – Revenue and Customs Brief 1 (2019) – change to the VAT treatment of personal contract purchases.The CaseThe advice follows on from HMRC’s decision to withdraw its appeal following…

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Analysis of Treasury Announcements in the the 2019 Spring Statement

18-03-2019

Last week we had the Spring Statement 2019 where the Chancellor provided the country with an update on the health of the economy. Our Tax experts are enclosing a summary of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement and other recent tax changes for your attention. Although the Statement does not include tax measures, a number of tax related consultations…

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Spring Statement 2019: What to expect next?

18-03-2019

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ASE Audit Team Advances!

11-03-2019

As a nice update – we would like to outline a couple of changes to the department in line with recent promotions and recognition Please meet our stars: Paul Smith Has been promoted to the role of Audit Director with effect January 2019, which is in recognition of his client handling and project delivery for the ASE client base. During…

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Profitability Statistics - January 2019

06-03-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability for January 2019 Click to download Profitability Statistics January 2019

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Making TAX digital for VAT

04-03-2019

WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT HAPPENING? MTD introduces the requirement to keep VAT records in digital form and file returns using software. It is part of HMRC’s drive to introduce digital reporting for most taxes, as seen with the introduction of RTI for PAYE purposes. HMRC believes billions of pounds of tax revenue are being lost to genuine human…

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ASE guests visit Ferrari of San Francisco

29-01-2019

Exclusive insight into digital marketing strategy Delegates on the ASE Global trip to this year’s NADA Show in San Francisco were treated to an exclusive visit to Ferrari of San Francisco, one of the top Ferrari dealerships in the USA. Ferrari of San Francisco is part of the Boardwalk Auto Group, which has nine luxury and premium brand outlets…

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Prison sentence issued after data breach in automotive sector

22-01-2019

A former motor industry employee has been sentenced to six months in prison for unlawfully accessing personal data. Mustafa Kasim, who worked for accident repair firm Nationwide Accident Repair Services (NARS), used the Audatex system to access thousands of customer records containing personal data without permission. Using a colleagues’ log-in…

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Profitability Statistics - November 2018

07-01-2019

Average UK car retailer profitability - November 2018 Click to download Profitiability Statistics December 2018 Click here to view video

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Profitability Statistics - December 2018

11-12-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for December 2018 Click to download Profitiability Statistics December 2018 Click here to view video

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Profitability Statistics - October 2018

10-12-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for October 2018 Click to download Profitability Statistics October 2018

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Minimum Wage Compliance

13-11-2018

It has been reported in the press that Iceland Foods is to challenge a ruling by HMRC concerning two matters which impact upon the minimum wage legislation. Both of the issues may have impact upon motor dealerships in particular as well as the workplace overall. The first concerns the deduction by the employer of money from an employee’s…

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Profitability Statistics - September 2018

05-11-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for September 2018 Click to download Profitability Statistics September 2018

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2018 Budget Announcement

30-10-2018

2018 Budget Announcement Click to download 2018 Budget Announcement Budget provides boost to automotive facility investments, albeit too late for many and a missed opportunity to stimulate electric and hybrid sales.

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Profitability Statistics - August 2018

02-10-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for August 2018 Click to download Profitability Statistics August 2018

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Profitability Statistics - July 2018

05-09-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for July 2018 Click to download Profitability Statistics July 2018

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Profitability Statistics - June 2018

13-08-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for June 2018 Click to download Profitability Statistics June 2018

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Profitability Statistics - May 2018

09-07-2018

Average UK car retailer profitability for May 2018 Click to download Profitability Statistics May 2018

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Advisory Fuel Rates

26-06-2018

Please see the updated advisory fuel rates for June 2018. Download PDF

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Driving Force Summer 2018

18-06-2018

Read via our e-zine online now, download or call for a copy of the magazine. Click to download DRIVING FORCE SUMMER 2018

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Profitability Statistics - April 2018

13-04-2018

April recovery as average UK motor retailer improves profit by £9,900. Mike Jones comments on this month's profitability statistics.

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Profitability Statistics - March 2018

13-03-2018

Average UK motor retail profitability falls 6.7% in March. Click to download Profitability Statistics March 2018 Mike Jones comments on this month's profitability statistics.

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Profitability Statistics - February 2018

09-02-2018

Average UK motor retailer produces good start to 2018 with profit in February. Click to download Profitability Statistics February 2018 Mike Jones comments on this month's profitability statistics.

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Profitability Statistics - January 2018

08-01-2018

Click to download Profitability Statistics January Average UK motor retailer produces good start to 2018 with profit in January.

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