If you are reading this article, you have probably heard of R&D credits. Congratulations. Whether or not you know what they are, or if you could benefit from them, you are already one step ahead of many companies across the UK.

R&D tax credits are incentives offered by the UK Government for businesses to invest in research and development.

If companies do so, and in turn contribute to the overall innovation of the country and technological advancement in itself, they are offered funding from the Government in the form of R&D Tax credits.

However, accessing these funds and ensuring that you business’s projects are eligible for the credits is no easy task, especially with so much else going on in your business on a daily basis.

If your business is innovating and you want to ensure that you and your employees are benefits from your hard work, using the taxation services of an expert accountant to analyse your eligibility and oversee your application could save you a significant amount of money in the form of tax relief.

Do I qualify for R&D?

If you are unsure if you qualify for R&D get in touch with 2one of our expert tax accountants today and we will advise you.

However, in general, the following guide should give you a pretty good indication of whether or not you are eligible for R&D credits.

In order to obtain tax relief via R&D credits, the research activities of your business must meet the following criteria:

The project in question must:

• Aim to advance the field of research itself NOT just your business. This doesn’t mean that successful research wouldn’t benefits you tremendously, it simply means that you must not be the only one to benefit.
• Demonstrate that there was uncertainty about the question you are trying to answer. Research focussing on a problem that has already been solved is unlikely to qualify.
• Show how it is that you have been able to tackle the scientific challenges in question using research and analysis.
• Show that the problem was not easily solved by experts in the field. This is often done by providing examples of attempts in the same research areas that have been unsuccessful.

What type of R&D might I qualify for?

There are different types of R&D schemes depending on the size of your business. Small and medium sized businesses can apply for relief via the SME R&D tax credits scheme whilst larger businesses can apply via the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) scheme.

To qualify for the SME scheme, your business must have less than 500 staff and a turnover of no more than 100 million euros. You must also have a balance sheet showing assets of no more than 86 million euros.

Making a claim

R&D claims can be made going back up to 2 full accounting periods, but it is important to avoid the wrath of the HMRC by applying for relief for projects that do not qualify.

Consult with a professional to avoid doing just that.

Knowing when to have your roof repaired is one of the most important things that you can do as a homeowner.

Your roof guards you from the elements and ensures your home remains a safe and comfortable environment throughout the seasons. Fail to maintain it, and you will soon realise exactly what you were taking for granted with structural damage, destruction of property, mould growth, and health problems all potential problems associated with a badly compromised roof.

Like anything in your home, your roof needs regular maintenance to keep it in great condition and this includes the occasional fix carried out by a professional roof repairs Glasgow expert. But how exactly do you know when the time comes to call in the professionals? Well, you should have your roof cleaned every so often as part of regular maintenance and any issues may well be flagged up at that point, but there are also a range of early warning signs to look out for that can prevent you facing major issues further down the line.

8 signs that your roof needs to be repaired

Leaks

Perhaps the most obvious and common sign that your roof is failing in its fundamental task as guardian against the elements is a water leaking inside the property.

There are many reasons that your roof might be leaking, from missing tiles to cracked seals or displaced flashing, but whatever the cause, you need to take action to resolve them quickly. Allowing a leak to grow can have very serious consequences including rotten structural beams, destruction of valuable possessions, and mould growth.

Call a professional in your area the moment you see water stains on your ceilings or in the attic.

Missing shingles

Shingles are a fundamental part of your roof’s structure and your first line of defence. Missing shingles, even in the absence of any leaks are a sign that serious problems aren’t too far away. Over the years shingles can be displaced in many different ways including strong wings, cracking, or bird activity. Luckily, act early at this stage and the repair will be very affordable and no serious damage will be done.

Granules on the floor

Granules are small sand like particles that protect the shingles themselves from harm and play a key role in preventing UV rays from harming your roof. If you keep finding these in your gutters or on the floor around the exterior of your home, repairs may be needed. This is most common on properties with an aging roof and is more a sign of gradual deterioration than one single incident.

Cracking

We get a lot of different weather and temperatures in Scotland and whilst roofs are designed to cope with them in the main, they will take their toll over the years. Cracked and curling shingles are not that unusual, but do compromise the weather protection that your roof provides, and makes you more susceptible to  wind and rain in the future.

Damage to the flashing

Roof flashing is the thin metal installed around any opening to your roof such as sky lights or chimneys. It is there to protect the seals between these fixtures and your roof and prevent water from seeping inside. If it starts to come away from the roof, is cracked, or damaged in any other way, leaking won’t be far away and swift action should be taken.

Soaring energy bills

Everyone is dealing with a spike in the energy bills at this point in time, but if you spot a sudden rise in your energy use, with no change in your tariff, everyday activity, or other obvious cause, a damaged roof may be to blame.

Your roof plays a vital role in determining how easy it is to regulate temperature inside your home and having it repaired will allow you to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter without forking out an overly excessive amount for energy.

Pests in the attic

If you think that you have squirrels or rats in your loft, you need to call a professional pest controller as well as a roof repair expert. However, they must be getting in somehow, and these rodents will often chew their way through your roof and the eaves of your roof in order to gain access. A professional roofer will be able to locate any holes in your roof and seal them to prevent further animal infestation issues.

You have an old roof

If your roof is several decades old and has never been inspected or repaired to your knowledge, the chances are that some work will need to be carried out. Being pro-active and having your roof examined at this stage will help you to catch any minor problems and prevent them from turning into anything more serious.

Winter is finally at an end and the warmth of long summer evenings are finally in sight. With so much to look forward to, you don’t want anything to ruin the mood this summer, and nothing does this quite like the threat of a pest infestation.

From wasps’ nests to cockroach infestations, many pest problems are much more common during the warmer summer months. Knowing the common species to keep an eye out for and some key tips for deterring them will ensure that you can enjoy your summer without having to worry about your health or property being threatened by pests.

Some of the most common pests found in the UK during the summer include:

Rats and mice

Rats and mice do not hibernate during the winter, but they are less active and will tend to stick to their nests and stockpile food in order to stay warm.

As temperatures rise, they begin to become a bit more adventurous, venturing into human inhabited buildings in the search of food and breeding at a rapid rate.

Once breeding begins the population of rodents in your property will grow extremely quickly so it is vital that you take early actions to limit the damage done.

This springtime, take the opportunity to examine the interior and exterior walls of your property looking for any gaps that rats and mice might use to gain access and seal them.

Carpet beetles

Carpet beetles will destroy your carpets and other soft furnishings if allowed to thrive and become much more common in the springtime. Adult carpet beetles are around 4mm in length and tend to be black or brown in colour.

If you see an adult there is a good chance that eggs, and larvae are nearby and you should get in touch with a professional pest controller as soon as possible.

Wasps

As you are probably aware, wasps are one of the biggest summertime pests in the UK, causing chaos in kitchens and picnic tables across the nation.

If you are seeing more than a few of these stinging menaces inside your property, there is a chance that you have a wasp nest nearby.

Wasp nests take the form of circular paper balls, varying in size with often intricate patterns on the exterior. Do not attempt to remove a wasp nest yourself even if you do spot one as if you get the timing wrong by a second or two you could find yourself swarmed by hundreds of the insects, leading to multiple painful stings and possible allergic reactions. Call a professional, it’s not worth the risk and they will have the nest removed in seconds.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are some of the most overlooked pests in the UK and thrive in the hot and humid heat of summer. Many people assume that roaches are only really an issue overseas as they are not a common sight in this country, but this illusion will soon come crashing down if they decide to take up resident in your home or business.

Cockroaches are some of the filthiest pest species and will spread disease and contaminate food at a prolific rate once they access your property.

 Ants

If you have ever tried to have a picnic on the grass during the summer, you will likely be all too aware of the presence of ants.

Due to their tiny size, should ants decide to invade your home they can be particularly annoying to deal with and difficult to spot.

Pigeons and gulls

Feral pigeons, gulls, and other pest birds are becoming more and more of an issue all year round in Urban Areas across the UK but are particularly bothersome during the spring and early summer as this is when breeding season begins.

Once gulls have eggs in their nests they will become incredibly territorial and protective and will act extremely aggressively towards anyone that they perceive to be a threat. These birds also create a huge amount of toxic faeces that can wear away surfaces over time and contained many nasty bacteria, including those responsible for E. Coli, Salmonella, and a range of other diseases.

Mosquitoes

According to the British Pest Control Association, the heat of summer creates the perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes to thrive. Whilst the majority of mosquitoes species are relatively harmless to humans in the UK, there are some concerns that as the climate heats up more dangerous species may arrive from overseas and pose a very serious risk to public health.

Even so, mosquitoes and midges can be pretty annoying to deal with so it is definitely worth picking up some insect repellent spray when preparing for your next outdoor adventure this summer.

Contact a professional Preston pest control company today if you spot evidence of any of these pest species.

Regular boiler servicing is essential to keeping your family safe and your energy bills low, not to mention significantly increasing the lifespan of the unit and saving you a huge amount of money on repairs and replacements.

Gas boiler servicing must be conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer who has the training required to identify and resolve any potential issues in a safe manner.

Despite the huge array of benefits that make boiler servicing essential for any responsible homeowner you would be amazed at how many people have never had their boiler serviced or have stopped arranging services over the years.

Here are 9 of the biggest benefits of a boiler service to be aware of:

Keeping your home and family safe

Nothing is more important that the safety of your loved ones. A faulty boiler will increase the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, breakdowns in the freezing depths of winter, and even explosions as a result of a gas leak.

Modern boilers are, in general, incredibly safe but any unit that relies on combustion does come with some inherent risks that a boiler service will help to mitigate.

A Gas Safe engineer will carefully check for any evidence of a carbon monoxide leak during the service as well as looking for any other faults that could put residents at risk.

Reduce the risk of a breakdown

Boiler breakdowns are hugely inconvenient and potentially very expensive. A boiler service from http://chshome.co.uk/ will help reduce the risk of breakdown, which you can guarantee would otherwise occur exactly when you need it least.

Think of a boiler service a bit like your car’s MOT, making sure that it can safely be used and that all the essential components are in good working order.

Protect your warranty

Almost all new boiler warranties are dependent on annual servicing being carried out by a Gas Safe engineer. If you want to protect yourself from having to fork out for major repairs within 10-15 years of purchasing your boiler then servicing is an absolute must.

Keep your energy bills under control

The better that your boiler is maintained the more efficiently it will run, and the less fuel will need to be consumed in order to meet the heat requirements of your property.

The less fuel you use, the less you need to pay, helping you keep your energy bills as low as possible at a time when doing so has never been more of a challenge.

Meet your legal obligations

For domestic homeowners, having your gas boiler serviced is highly recommended for all the reasons that have been mentioned in this article.

If you are a landlord, however, or you run your own business, it is a legal requirement that you obtain an annual gas safety certificate from a Gas Safe engineer. This certificate will demonstrate that all the gas appliances in the property or properties that you rent out have been checked and maintained appropriately to keep your tenants safe.

Keeps you warm when it matters most

At the end of the day, your boiler’s job is to keep your home heated and provide meet your hot water requirements.

If you don’t have it serviced there is a good chance that at some point it will fail to do just that, leaving you to face the freezing temperatures of winter unprotected. Emergency engineers will be in high demand at this time, and you might have to endure several days of shivering before heat is restored, often at a significant cost.

Extend the life of your boiler

New gas boilers do not come cheap and the last thing that you need is the unexpected shock of having to fork out for a new one long before the existing unit should need to be replaced.

A boiler service Glasgow will spot minor problems with your boiler that without intervention will develop into major ones and potentially fatal breakdowns.

They will also guard against the build up of soot and debris inside the boiler that will cause it to degrade at a faster rate, both in terms of ongoing performance and overall condition.

Provide you with peace of mind

Even if your boiler is in good working order, having it serviced will provide you with valuable peace of mind that your family and home are safe and that you are not overpaying for your energy.

Without having your boiler serviced you will constantly be faced with the lingering threat of a potential breakdown, adding unnecessarily to your everyday worries.

Save time

A boiler service will be over and done with within just 45 minutes to an hour and a half, and can be arranged around your busy schedule.

With minimal disruption to your daily life and a whole raft of potential benefits, there really isn’t any reason to delay your boiler servicing any longer.

No matter what the nature of your case, finding a great lawyer is absolutely vital to success in legal proceedings.

You’ve done plenty of research online, read testimonies, and looked at reviews but how exactly can you tell is a lawyer of law firm is the right match for your needs? Well, we are here to help you do that, and have complied a list of 10 of the biggest signs that a lawyer is the right choice.

They have extensive experience

Having years of experience is a lawyer is great, but what really matters is the type of experience that your lawyer has. Someone with a well rounded background will have heard and seen it all in their time, but make sure that they have experience handling specific cases that are similar to your own.

During the consultation phase you should ask them about how they intend to handle your case and they should be able to answer with reference to their previous successes and prior cases, although they might not be able to go into specific detail.

They have an impressive track record

A lawyer might have handled hundreds of cases similar to yours, but if they don’t have a track record of success in those cases they probably aren’t your best option.

There are a couple of ways to check the results of a lawyer in their previous cases, objectively through a win/loss record, or subjectively by listening to the experiences of their previous clients.

They do well in court

Many legal cases never make it to the courtroom, being settled out of court in the form of a plea agreement, or because the charges were dropped completely.

However, it is important to know that should your case end up going to trial that you will have a formidable force representing you. This not only gives you peace of mind but also puts you in a powerful negotiating position as the opposing counsel will be willing to offer a better deal in order to avoid facing your lawyer in the courtroom.

They are upfront with you

Be wary of a lawyer who is overly optimistic about your case or guarantees victory. Your lawyer should be completely upfront with you from the start in terms of what they believe the best case scenario in your case may be. This will ensure that you are both on the same page.

There is no point in a lawyer telling you that they will be able to get charges dismissed when the evidence is not in your favour, for example, simply to get your services.

They should also be honest about their legal fees with no hidden costs.

They are objective

Any lawyer who has a conflict of interests or who is not fully committed to your case should declare this to you and you should go your separate way.

If a lawyer does not declare this conflict of interests they may well be breaking the law as it prevents them from being objective during the case.

Creative thinking

Any lawyer who has gone through the relevant training can fill out the paperwork and go through the motions of a legal case.

What really makes the best stand out from the pack, however, is their ability to be creative and devise a strategy for success that others may not have considered.

The more experienced that a lawyer is the more they will have seen throughout the years and the better they will be at thinking on their feet and devising new strategies. That said there is also something to be said for a young and upcoming lawyer who may bring fresh ideas and imagination to a saturated field.

Great Communication

You are choosing a lawyer that will negotiate on your behalf, interview potential witnesses, and potentially represent you in court so it is essential that they are a great communicator.

From the very first consultation with your lawyer they should be able to articulate clearly what their plans are for your case and you will be able to get a good idea of if the two of you are well suited to working together as a team. Many legal cases takes many months to resolve so if you don’t feel as though you are going to be able to work well together, it is best to end the partnership at the earliest possible stage.

They are available

Lawyers should be there when you need them, and if you can’t pick up the phone and be confident that your lawyer will answer then you should consider other options.

It might be worth paying a little bit extra to obtain the services of a more specialist lawyer who takes on fewer clients in order to guarantee their attention and availability.

Aamer Anwar Law Firm Glasgow are the experts that you need to call if you are looking for a lawyer that ticks all the boxes mentioned above, and many more besides.