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This Week's Contents:
AstrA Millennium for OSX has been released
Serial Drivers on OS X
EPOS equipment - NEW PRICES!!
It can still pay to incorporate
New UK childcare benefits from 2005
Business miss out on bank interest
Money laundering
More access under disability act
Inheritance tax rule to change
New rules on company vans
AstrA Millennium for OSX has been releasedTop of the Page
This week saw the release of the native OSX version of AstrA Millennium, which means that this versatile product can now be seamless run on a combination of OSX, OS9 and Windows platforms.

Existing users who have one of our Software Update Maintenance (SUM) or Total Cover (TC) support packages can obtain their free update by going to our Updates Centre.

New users who would like to evaluate a demo of this new OSX version can download this by going to our Downloads Centre.
Serial Drivers on OS XTop of the Page
It has been known for some time that Apple have omitted to include some form of Serial Driver routines on the OSX platform simply because there are no serial ports on newer Macs.

This of course would mean that if you were using a serial based tally toll printer connected to your EPOS system, it would now be useless when running under the OSX versions of Astra and so a new USB based printer would be needed.

We are therefore pleased to announce that we have developed a serial routine (within Astra) to emulate the old style serial drivers. This now means that your older serial devices can still be used with the OSX version of Astra.
You will of course still need a physical serial port and so will need a USB to Serial adapter. We strongly suggest that you consider the KeySpan USA28X product as this now has a tried and tested run with Astra.
EPOS equipment - NEW PRICES!!Top of the Page
Due to a price re-structure, S&S are pleased to announce a reduction in the cost of some of the EPOS equipment that they can supply.

Serial Thermal Receipt Printer NOW GBP 260.00
USB Thermal Receipt Printer NOW GBP 260.00

ADB Barcode Reader NOW GBP 120.00
USB Barcode Reader NOW GBP 120.00

Please note that all prices are plus VAT and carriage, E&OE.

Should you wish to order any of the above please call us on 0845 644 1670 or email us at info@AstraAccounts.co.uk
It can still pay to incorporateTop of the Page
The new minimum corporation tax charge on dividends has reduced the attraction of incorporation for smaller businesses, but there is still a benefit to be had.

From 1 April 2004 companies have to pay a minimum 19% corporation tax on profits paid out as dividends, but the charge on profits retained within the company is uncharged. Companies with profits of £50,00 or more are unaffected by the change since they already pay at least 19% corporation tax.
New UK childcare benefits from 2005Top of the Page
From 6 April 2005 employers will be able to provide up to £50 a week of tax-free childcare benefits for employees following the extension of the existing tax relief.

Employees will qualify for the new exemption where their employers provides vouchers to pay an approved child-carer or contracts directly for the services.
Business miss out on bank interestTop of the Page
UK businesses miss out on £422 million in interest a year because they do not shop around for the best bank accounts, according to a study commissioned by the Alliance & Leicester bank (A&L).
Money launderingTop of the Page
UK business life will never be quite the same again for accountants, estate agents, lawyers, and other firms that accept large cash payments, as well as for their clients and customers.

On 1 March 2004 these and other similar businesses joined financial and investment firms in the regulated sector for money laundering. They now have to report all known or suspected money laundering to the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), otherwise they themselves could face serious criminal charges.
More access under disability actTop of the Page
By UK law every business, large or small - from local off-licences to big hotels - will need to become more user-friendly to Britain's 8.6 million disabled people from 1 October 2004. New duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) call for improvements including adapting premises, removing physical barriers and providing services in an alternative way to disabled customers.
Inheritance tax rule to changeTop of the Page
This year's budget has killed arrangement aimed at avoiding inheritance tax on homes by putting the home into trust or giving it away, but then continuing to have use of it.

Starting in the tax year 2005-06, individuals will be subject to an income tax charge where they have free or low cost enjoyment of property or other assets that they used to own. The rules will quantify an annual cash value for the benefit, which for land will be based on market rentals. No charge will be made on benefits worth less than £2,500 a year, a threshold that is too low to exempt the use of a house.
New rules on company vansTop of the Page
New rules are going to greatly increase the tax payable where an employee uses a company van for private journeys in the UK, Although the changes will not take place until 6 April 2007, employers and van drivers will need to plan ahead.

At present if a van is available for private use, the employee is taxed on a charge of £500 or £350 if the van is at least four years old at the end of the tax year. There is no additional charge if fuel is provided.

From 6 April 2007 the taxable benefit for unrestricted private use of a van will increase to £3000, and there will be no discount for older vans. If the employer also pays for fuel for the private use, an additional charge of £500 will apply.
If any of these news clippings are factually incorrect or there are any omissions,
could you please email our Editorial Department for prompt correction.
If you would like to send us your own news stories, please do
not hesitate to email our Editorial Department for future inclusion.
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