- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Don't pay too much national insurance
The increases in national insurance announced for 2012/13 mean that a director will pay personal and company contributions of 25.8% (2011/12 25.8%).
If you have income from more than one job, or if you have self employment income as well as being employed, you should take care to ensure that you do not pay more in national insurance contributions than you need to.
The prescribed annual maximum normal contribution for an individual is 53 weeks at the standard primary (employee) Class 1 contribution rate between the earnings threshold and the upper earnings limit. For 2012/13 this works out to be £4,267.56. There is also an additional 2% payable on earnings in excess of the upper earnings limit.
If you think there is a chance of your exceeding this limit, you can apply for deferment of contributions on the 'surplus' employments and/or self employment. The Deferment Group recommends that application should be made before the start of the tax year, but will accept applications up to 14 February during the tax year.
Class 1 contributions
The Deferment Group will tell you for which employments they have allowed deferment of contributions and will send to the relevant employer(s) a certificate telling them not to deduct primary class 1 contributions from you during the tax year and asking them to refund any contributions they may already have deducted from your wages/salary during the year.
Class 2 contributions
If you expect your earnings from self employment to be less than the small earnings exception limit (£5,715 for 2012/13), you may apply for exception from paying class 2 contributions.
However you may, if you wish, continue to pay class 2 contributions voluntarily to keep up your entitlement to the benefits they provide (Incapacity Benefit, Retirement Pension, Widow's Benefit and Maternity Allowance).
Your class 2 contributions may be deferred if you can show that you are otherwise likely to pay above the annual maximum normal contribution (£4,267.56 as set out above) in class 1 and class 2 contributions.
Class 4 contributions
Your class 4 contributions may be deferred if your normal national insurance contributions (Classes 1, 2, and 4) are likely to exceed the maximum for Classes 2 and 4 normal contributions on their own (£3,278.75 for 2012/13).
After the year end
After the end of the tax year, the deferment group will work out your overall contribution position for the year and collect any balance of contributions that may remain payable.
Contribution refunds
If you do not apply for deferment in time, it is still possible to claim a refund of overpaid national insurance contributions. The time limit for claiming is broadly six years after the end of the tax year in which the payment was made.
Please contact us if you would like further information or assistance in this area.