Pension Credits can provide extra income to those over State Pension age and on a low income. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently launched a Pension Credit action week to boost take-up of this vital benefit.

It is thought that up to 880,000 pensioners could be missing out on benefits worth on average up to £3,900 per year. A valid claim for Pension Credit will also entitle eligible pensioners to secure this year’s Winter Fuel Payment. This follows the Chancellor’s recent announcement that the Winter Fuel Payment will be means tested.

Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they are eligible. If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs. Not all benefits are counted as income.

The DWP have also joined forces with charities, broadcasters and a range of partners to encourage pensioners to check if they are eligible for Pension Credits. The DWP is also asking families, friends and neighbours of elderly people to assist if required.

Pensioners must apply by 21 December 2024 in order to make a backdated claim for Pension Credit and be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. Details of how to make an application for Pension Credit can be found on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.

The deadline for submitting paper self-assessment tax returns for the 2023-24 tax year is 31 October 2024. Late submission of a self-assessment return will generate a £100 late filing penalty. The penalty usually applies even if there is no liability or if any tax due is paid in full by 31 January 2025.

Daily penalties of £10 per day will also take effect if the tax return is still outstanding three months after the filing date up to a maximum of £900. Additional higher penalties will be incurred if the return remains outstanding after six and twelve months.

We would recommend that anyone still submitting paper tax returns consider the benefits of submitting the returns electronically. This would allow for an additional three months until 31 January 2025 in which to submit a return.

In addition, you must inform HMRC by 5 October 2024 if you need to complete a tax return for the 2023-24 tax year and have not done so before. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

To apply for trademark protection in the UK, you will need to follow these steps:

Check if Your Trademark is Eligible
Ensure your trademark is unique and not too similar to existing trademarks. A trademark can include a word, logo, slogan, or a combination of these, but it must be distinctive and not misleading, offensive, or too generic.

Conduct a Trademark Search
Before applying, it's important to conduct a search of existing trademarks to ensure yours doesn’t conflict with others. You can search the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) database for registered trademarks and pending applications.

Choose the Right Trademark Class
Trademarks are registered under specific "classes" that define the types of goods or services covered. There are 45 different classes (34 for goods and 11 for services), and you must select the appropriate ones when filing your application.

File Your Application with the UK IPO
You can apply online through the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) website. The application form will require details about your trademark, the goods or services it applies to, and the classes you’ve chosen.

The standard online application fee is £170 for one class, with an additional £50 for each additional class you include.

Apply here https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-apply.

Examination by the UK IPO
Once you’ve submitted your application, the UK IPO will examine it to ensure it meets the criteria for registration. If there are any issues, such as similarities to existing trademarks or incomplete information, the office may contact you for clarification or to correct the issues.

Publication for Opposition
If your application passes the examination, your trademark will be published in the UK Trade Marks Journal for two months. During this time, other parties can oppose the registration if they believe it infringes on their rights. If no opposition is raised, or if any opposition is resolved, the process continues.

Registration and Protection
If no opposition is raised, or any opposition is successfully resolved, your trademark will be registered. The UK IPO will issue you a certificate of registration, and your trademark will be protected for 10 years. After this period, you can renew the trademark every 10 years indefinitely.

By following this process, you can secure trademark protection for your brand in the UK, safeguarding your intellectual property from unauthorised use.

PSC stands for Person with Significant Control. It is a legal term used primarily in the United Kingdom under company law. A PSC is someone who holds significant influence or control over a company. Companies in the UK are required to identify and register their PSCs with Companies House to ensure transparency about who owns and controls companies.

A person can be classified as a PSC if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Holding more than 25% of shares in the company.
2. Holding more than 25% of voting rights in the company.
3. Having the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors.
4. Exercising significant influence or control over the company.
5. Having control over a trust or firm that meets any of the above conditions.

This register of PSCs helps combat issues like money laundering and tax evasion, ensuring there is transparency in company ownership and control.

PSC Register Requirements

Every UK company (unless exempt) is required to maintain a PSC Register and submit it to Companies House. This register must be kept up-to-date and include information on all PSCs. The process ensures transparency in company ownership and helps regulators, and the public, understand who controls UK companies.

Information Required for the PSC Register

For each person or legal entity classified as a PSC, the following details must be recorded:

1. Full name
2. Date of birth
3. Nationality
4. Country of residence
5. Service address (this can be different from their residential address)
6. Residential address (this is not made public)
7. The date they became a PSC
8. Which of the PSC conditions they meet (e.g., holding over 25% of shares)
9. Details of any significant influence or control they have over the company

Self-assessment taxpayers are usually required to pay their Income Tax liabilities in three instalments each year. The first two payments are due on 31 January during the tax year and 31 July following the tax year.

These payments on account are based on 50% each of the previous year’s net income tax liability. In addition, the third (or only) payment of tax will be due on 31 January following the end of the tax year. If you think that your income for the next tax year will be lower than the previous tax year, you can apply to have your payment on account reduced. This can be done using HMRC’s online service or by completing form SA303.

It is important to note that you do not need to make any payments on account where your net Income Tax liability for the previous tax year is less than £1,000 or if more than 80% of that year’s tax liability has been collected at source.

There are no restrictions on the number of claims to adjust payments on account a taxpayer or agent can make. The payments are based on 50% of your previous year’s net income tax liability. If your liability for 2023-24 is lower than 2022-23 you can ask HMRC to reduce your payment on account. The deadline for making a claim to reduce your payments on account for 2023-24 is 31 January 2025.

If taxable profits have increased there is no requirement to notify HMRC although the final balancing payment will be higher.