Action plan for jobs – what’s in it for start-ups?

A lack of detail for starters!

Let’s take the main points. The Action Plan for Jobs (APJ) has 15 action points for 2012 relating to indigenous start-up businesses. None of these has a time scale (other than “2012″).

These pronouncements by Government are obviously given an overly positive slant, a little spin, and an inevitable [...]

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PRSI refunds – putting the record straight

There has been a lot of inaccurate reporting and information on so called PRSI refunds due to an error by the Department of Social Protection.

Firstly, what is being talked about is not PRSI refunds but health levy refunds.  That is why refunds can only be claimed up to 2010 as the health levy was [...]

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VAT basics – a beginner’s guide

Rule number #1: you can’t add VAT to your invoices unless you are registered for VAT – ever!

Rule number #2: you can’t claim VAT on purchases unless you are registered for VAT – ever!

Do I need to register?

If you are selling goods you must register if your total sales (turnover) for any [...]

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Starting a business: sole-trade vs limited company

One of the most important decisions to be made when starting a business is what legal structure to adopt: sole-trade/partnership or limited company?

Both have advantages and disadvantages. Each business’s circumstances must be examined in its own right as what may suit one set of circumstances may not suit the next.

Firstly we must explain [...]

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Exploring exports – VAT basics

VAT is a funny old tax. Whether it is charged and who pays it depends on different things, such as whether you are supplying goods or services, the VAT status of the customer, the location of the customer and the supplier, is it a service connected to a building. The place of supply dictates which [...]

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