Essentials - January 2006

This edition of our Essentials newsletter covers the latest accounting, tax and legal matters, plus a calendar for finance directors that features key upcoming dates and deadlines.

Accounting

• Aligning statutory accounts and tax return filing dates for companies
  
• Directors' report requirements for a business review
  
• EU endorsement of amendment to IAS39
  

Direct tax

• R&D tax credits
  
• Marks & Spencer decision
  
• HMRC issues statement of practice on disclosure and discovery
  

Indirect tax

• Recovery of VAT on road fuel
  
• Increase in Intrastat threshold
  

Employer and shareholder

• New regulation on pension scheme investment calls for urgent review
  
• Pensions tax law - further changes