Dear Reader

Well, the PBTG pixies have been hard at work this week, tweaking, polishing, improving, tweaking again, and just generally kicking the tyres of the site…have a look, for example, at the newly updated Apprenticeships section and let us know what you think…

Following a decline in take-up of positions under the existing apprenticeship scheme (and the almost exclusively male interest in such positions), the Cypriot authorities announced in 2007 that they planned to gradually replace it with the New Modern Apprenticeship (NMA) scheme, offering training in a wider number of areas, and for a broader age range, and providing Cypriot employers with arguably more attractive incentives to take on apprentices.

In the run-up to the full implementation of the NMA scheme, improvements are being made to the existing regime, and to this end, the Cyprus Productivity Centre (KEPA) announced recently that it is now accepting applications for a new tranche of funding (jointly provided by the European Social Fund and the Cypriot government), providing variable levels of subsidy for the training of apprentices.

According to KEPA, participating establishments in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos are offering vocational education and training in various areas for the 2010-11 academic year, including: mechanical training, welding, electrical repairs, building, hairdressing, carpentry, and hospitality.

Here in the PBTG basement, meanwhile (I still have hopes of securing better quarters for us, but the Editor is away on a business trip this week – as, coincidentally – is my Lowtax opposite number, Kitty. Hmmm….) we have our own apprenticeship issues, as Bob the maintenance man has been given a minion…sorry, assistant.

A heady cocktail of sweaty adolescent, cigarettes, coffee and curry now greets PBTG staffers at the start of every working day. Which is nice.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, the sub-editor’s just fainted again, so I really ought to go and prop him up somewhere.

Until next week (if we make it that far!)

Caroline (Basement Ed.)

UK Small Businesses Lacked Confidence In Q4 2011

Wednesday 1/2/2012

According to figures recently released by the UK's Federation of Small Businesses, SMEs and micro-businesses were hard hit in the final quarter of last year by a combination of factors, including increased utility bills, high inflation, and reduced consumer spending power.

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Re-Employment Legislation Takes Effect In Singapore

Wednesday 25/1/2012

The implementation of new rules and support for SMEs and other businesses in Singapore to re-employ older workers, in the face of a rapidly ageing population took effect earlier this month.

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Hong Kong Start-Ups Reached Record Level In 2011

Wednesday 18/1/2012

Figures published by the Hong Kong Companies Registry earlier this month have revealed that the number of start-ups registering in 2011 showed an increase of 6.31% last year on 2010 figures, with a record 148,329 registering over the course of the year.

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ISME Slams Ongoing Jobs Initiative Delay

Wednesday 11/1/2012

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has this month slammed the Republic's government once again for delays in implementing the jobs initiative that was a key post-election pledge.

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UK Small Businesses Concerned By HMRC Spot Check Plans

Wednesday 4/1/2012

Concern has been expressed regarding a ramping up of HM Revenue and Customs' Business Record Checks programme set to take place in April, with many small businesses fearing that the fine which can be imposed if they fail to provide adequate records to support their tax returns may push them into insolvency.

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Latest Comments

Expat Brit

Hi,

I am facing a dilemma and would like to invite any reader to advise me.

I am a Brit who has lived outside UK since 1993- initially in Belgium (5 years) & subsequently in 4 African countries. After a year outside UK, the UK Inland Revenue confirmed my status as ‘non-resident’ for tax purposes and as I have had no income in UK, I have not completed a UK tax return for many years. I visit UK very rarely, normally for one or two weeks per year.

In May 2011, I was made redundent by my employers, who were downsizing. This coincided with a move to retire in the Netherlands, where I now have official residency (my wife is Dutch). I thought that, at 63 years of age, I would be unlikely to find suitable employment; in fact, I have not tried hard and had resigned myself to permanent (but slightly premature) retirement.

However, to my surprise, I have recently been approached (through a mutual acquaintance) by a company that wishes to use my skills on a project in the Isle of Man. The role, if & when confirmed, would see me working for about 10 days a month in Isle of Man, with about 5-7 additional days per month, working from home. Contract will be for about two years. The firm has asked me to confirm if I would prefer to be paid (and therefore be taxed) in Netherlands or Isle of Man, the idea being that I create a self-employment entity for this employment. I have no data on which to base a response. Given Isle of Man's traditional ‘low tax ‘environment, are there any benefits to declaring an income in IOM? Are there any Isle of Man residency implications? Netherlands takes a tax cut on total world wide income, and, as I have never had any contact with the Dutch authorities, I am reluctant to start such a relationship now. Do I have to declare income in both countries, with a breakdown prorata to the time spent in each jurisdiction? Should I declare income to UK Inland revenue?

If anyone has pertinent advice on these points, I’d be grateful to hear them.

TJM @ Eindhoven, NL

T. Dog

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Purchasing investment-link insurance for my staff

Would that count as income tax to my staff? And would that count as expense to my company?Michael

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Irish crisis - effects on small business?

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone 'on the ground', as it were, might be reading and able to help me...I was considering relocating my hairdressing business from the UK to Ireland before the economy started to go properly belly-up...now, not so much.

Are things as bad as they seem over there, or is it being over-hyped by the media? And is the government still keen to support small business people? Cos if not, I'll look elsewhere...

Thanks,Kate

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Jersey vs. Malta??

Hi, I live in South Africa, and along with 2 business partners (one in South Africa and one in Ireland - all South African citizens though) are setting up a company that designs Smart phone applications. As they will be sold on the various platforms (none of which operate out of South Africa)we have to list our company as operating out of Ireland anyway. As such, we have decided to set up our company in the best tax country and are wanting info on whether Jersey or Malta is best? If anyone has some inside info we would really appreciate it!! Thanks!Mary

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Living in France contracting to Australian company

I am moving full time to France in Jan 2012 where I will be working as a freelance contract engineer to a number of Australian based companies. It is my choice to move to France not a work requirement. I will be renting my house out in Austrlalia and renting a house while I am in France. I hold both EU & Austrlain citizenshiip. I am married with 2 young children. Approx total family income $100k AUD.
Do I pay tax in France or Australia or both ?
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.France move

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