Free VAT Open Day for Businesses

Free VAT advice open day for businesses

Shropshire Council and HM Revenue & Customs will be holding a free advisory day in Shrewsbury on 11 March to help explain to newly-registered businesses the importance of filing their VAT returns online.

Under government proposals it will become compulsory from April 2010 for VAT registered business to complete VAT returns online and pay any VAT due electronically.

Shropshire businesses affected by this change are being invited to the exhibition and seminar programme at the Prostar Stadium on Thursday 11 March to meet experts from government department agencies, and to find out more about help and support to start, survive or grow in business today.

Jill Poole, from HM Revenue and Customs Business Liaison Team, said: “I am pleased to be able to invite businesses to this event which offers a wide range of advice for small and medium sized businesses. In addition, we will be offering assistance to VAT registered businesses for the VAT Online service.”

Councillor David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for local environment and economy said: “I’m pleased that we are able to support this important event which I would urge businesses to attend. One of the main aims for the Shropshire Business Board is to work with partners and other organisations to simplify the information available to businesses and to make it easier for them to access existing support services. This event will help to meet this aim.”

For more information about the event, call 01682 755214 or 01743 252531

Tips for Employing a Trader

Top tips for employing a trader

Trading Standards officers from Shropshire Council’s county public protection team are advising residents to properly plan and prepare their home improvement projects, to avoid being caught out with cowboy builders.

The following advice has been issued to help anyone thinking of employing a trader to carry out work at their home.

· Work out how much you want to spend.
· Get at least three written quotations from businesses.
· Compare prices as well as standards of service.
· Discuss the work required with the trader and agree exactly what you want doing in advance.
· Agree all details in writing: a standard contract is available at www.fmb.org.uk.
· Get a completion date in writing before any work starts.
· Discuss any problems with the builder as soon as they arise.
· Never agree to contract with doorstep sellers.

People can also visit the online Trader Register which has been set up by Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council to help consumers locate home improvement traders in the county. People can use this register – at www.traderregister.org.uk – to find a trader who has made a commitment to fair, honest trade, and to providing good customer service.

Anyone needing advice about problems that have already arisen should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Councillor David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for local environment and economy, said: “With Christmas nearly over and many people now thinking about home improvements, we hope this advice will help them avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous or dishonest traders.

“We especially encourage people to visit the Trader Register as members of the scheme have signed up to a code of practice.  In choosing a trader from the Register you are therefore making an important first step towards achieving the repair or home improvement that you want.”

For information on finding a trader visit www.traderregister.org.uk. or telephone Shropshire Council Customer Service Centre on 0845 6789 023.