TAX HELP FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Summertime: but the living isn’t always easy

Just like ladies’ hats at Royal Ascot and strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, summer would not be the same without some contact from HMRC. Now in their third year, HMRC’s annual tax calculations (P800) are being sent out to approximately two million people who pay tax under Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and whose other involvement with HMRC would normally beminimal.

Your employer/pension provider will advise HMRC of your earnings, operate the correct tax code, take the correct tax and inform HMRC at the end of the tax year of your total income and any tax deducted. Generally, HMRC’s systems run smoothly and no further action is ever needed. However, things can go wrong for a number of reasons, such as changing jobs, receiving multiple incomes or taxable benefits, retiring and even bereavement.
For someone who is not experienced in the tax system it can often be difficult to calculate the amount of tax you should be paying during the year and to check that this is actually happening. Things are made more complicated where employers and pension providers have stopped sending out regular pay slips, and in some cases P60s (when no tax has been taken).

Bearing this in mind, it can be quite a shock when you unexpectedly receive a P800 stating that you owe tax. You may be aware that you have underpaid your tax and be expecting the bill, but if you are unsure why you owe the tax it is time to ask questions of HMRC. As the calculation is computer generated, it is quite possible that the information contained in it will be incorrect. For instance, the savings income might be estimated, a source of income could be duplicated, or the wrong personal allowance is given because your date of birth is recorded incorrectly.

You should check the figures against your end of year P60s for work and pensions, as well as interest on your savings income - and don’t forget any dividend vouchers.

If an earlier year underpayment is shown (half way down the P800), check you agree with it and that it has not already been paid or a payment plan agreed.

If you are at all concerned you should ask HMRC for an explanation. If you fail to get a satisfactory answer find someone else to help like a tax adviser/accountant or, if you are on a low income, a tax charity.

Finally, even if you agree that the tax underpayment is correct, and before paying the tax, consider if it was HMRC or your employer/pension provider who was responsible for the underpayment. If you feel you have done everything expected of you, you can ask HMRC to investigate whether they or the employer/pension provider is at fault. If it is the employer/pension provider’s fault, HMRC should pursue them instead of you. But if HMRC decides it is not the employer’s fault, you should get a ‘Regulation 72 directive’ which allows you the right of appeal to a tax tribunal. If HMRC itself is at fault there is not much you can do for 2013/14 underpayments, unless the same problem occurred in earlier years. If this is the case, ask for the ESC A19, ‘exceptional circumstances’ to be considered.

This article is by Tax Help for Older People (operated by registered charity no 1102276), offering free tax advice to older people on lower incomes. The Helpline number is 0845 601 3321 or geographical 01308 488066

TAX HELP
FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Alex Stewart, Scottish Regional Co-ordinator (Phone No: 01355 458835), can:
• Be your first point of contact in Scotland
• Arrange for the delivery of literature in the form of Explanatory Leaflets Booklets & Posters for distribution to local offices, advisers, clients etc. If you wish a supply please provide details of the number required together with your address and I will arrange for these to be delivered.
• Publicise and promote the charity at information events/open days and in particular those arranged by your organisation.
• By arrangement give talks about personal tax to older people groups and forums including groups/organisations that care for the elderly.
• By arrangement give talks to advisers/volunteers about both the services provided by the charity and a brief overview of the tax problems encountered by older people.
The above talks last around 45 minutes to an hour and if the forum, group or your organisation are able to reimburse or make a contribution towards the travelling expenses incurred this would be much appreciated.

Distance Befriending Going For National Glory We Need Your Help

Distance Befriending Going For National Glory
We Need Your Help

Distance Befriending is a finalist in the UK National Lottery Awards.
We are in the category of Best Voluntary Organisation and are the 
only Highland organisation in the finals.

We have been selected from over 750 entries to go into the public vote to decide the winners of this year's National Lottery Awards - the annual search for the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Distance Befriending is the only Scottish project competing against six other organisations from around the UK to win the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category, scoop a £2,000 prize and attend the National Lottery Awards on BBC One in September.

It's just fantastic to be up against projects from around the UK competing for the title of the Best Voluntary/Charity Project and we thank all of our volunteers who have made this possible. It is your dedication that has enabled the success of Distance Befriending to be recognised in this way.

To help us win we need you to: vote for Distance Befriending,
by going to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards
or www.befriendershighland.org.uk
or telephone 0844 8369713
and follow the campaign on twitter: hashtag#NLAwards.

Contact all of your family, friends, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn contacts and anyone else in the world that you can think of and ask them to vote for us.

Voting runs for four weeks from 9am on Wednesday 25 June until midnight on Wednesday 23 July.

Remember we are only a very small charity compared to some and need all the help we can get in order to win. Voting can be by anyone anywhere in the world so get thinking and encourage everyone to vote for Distance Befriending.

Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/befriendershighland

on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BefHighland

Free Seminar - Enterprising Thinking: Community Lead Solutions for Health and Social Care Needs

A Highland Third Sector Interface Seminar

Enterprising Thinking:
Community Lead Solutions for Health and Social Care Needs

Free Seminar

10.30am – 4.30pm, Tuesday 8th July 2014

Ullapool Village Hall, Market Street, Ullapool, IV26 2XE
PROGRAMME DETAILS FINALISED

The Highland Third Sector Interface are hosting a seminar to consider the opportunities for community based delivery of health and social care services through a social enterprise model. The seminar will provide an opportunity for information sharing, discussion and consideration of the strengths and challenges in using social enterprise as a delivery model.

Presentations will include context setting around children and adults services by Highland Council’s Director of Care and Learning, Bill Alexander and NHS Highland as well as an overview of what we mean by Social Enterprise. Key note presentations will come from CALA Chief Executive Valery Gale and Fiona Johnstone from Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services. Workshop participation will include input from Ann Pascoe, Dementia Friendly Communities, Bob Bull, Glachbeg Croft and Karrie Marshall, Creativity in Care. The Social Enterprise Academy will join us to give a short presentation on what Social Enterprise is and will be present throughout the day for questions as will Social Enterprise Scotland.

Further training and discussion will be detailed at the event but we can confirm that attendees will have access to Social Enterprise Academy training to develop both their understanding and business plans around Social Enterprise.

The seminar is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Full details of the agenda are available on the HTSI website and places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Deadline for booking – 5pm, Thursday 3rd July 2014

Programme:
Please note you will sign up for the workshops on the day

10.00 Refreshments and registration

10.30 Welcome and aims of the day

10.45 Health and Social Care in Highlands, the increasing role of communities?

Highland Council’s Director of Care and Learning Bill Alexander and NHS Highland will provide a short overview of the current landscape within the context of meeting the needs of children and adults respectively and the role of communities in doing so.

11.15 What is Social Enterprise in brief, David Bryan SEA

11.30 Refreshment break

11.50 Workshops – A chance to hear from a locally based Enterprise and discuss – Why Social Enterprise? Participation will be include from Ann Pascoe, Karrie Marshall or Bob Bull.

12.50 lunch and networking

13.30 Fiona Johnstone and Rikke Iversholt – Creative Care and Support: Pitlochry

Consideration of the micro enterprises that are developing in Pitlochry as a result of the project Creative Care and Support. Q & A to follow.

14.00 Care and Learning Alliance Chief Executive Valery Gale

Looking at opportunities for children and child services. Q & A to follow.

14.30 Workshops – Another chance to hear from a locally based Enterprise and discuss the SWOTs to community engagement in supporting the needs of children and older adults? Participation will be include from Ann Pascoe, Karrie Marshall or Bob Bull.

15.30 Refreshment break

16.00 Group session to ‘brainstorm’ the possible opportunities for communities around supporting the needs of children and older adults living in Highland.

16.30 Closing remarks and what next?

http://bit.ly/1lL2yPG

Partnerships for Wellbeing, this opportunity has arisen for this small but successful charity.

Looking to make a difference to your community?

An opportunity has arisen with Partnerships for Wellbeing, a small but successful charity working to improve health, wellbeing and independence in the Highlands.

We are seeking a new Manager to work closely with the Trustees; the post is an excellent opportunity to lead our staff and team of volunteers delivering transport services and health walks in the community.

Utilising your excellent business administration, people management and organisational skills, you will ensure the efficient operation of the Charity as well as identifying new opportunities and securing additional funds to deliver the charity’s aims.

The post is permanent, subject to successful annual funding. Hours of work are 24 to 28 hours per week, subject to negotiation. Salary will be £26,000 per annum pro rata.

Application forms and job descriptions are available to download at www.pfw.org.uk or from the Manager, Partnerships for Wellbeing Ltd, 31/33 Wells Street, Inverness, IV3 5JU, tel. 01463 729997.

Informal expressions of interest are welcome. No C.V.’s are accepted without PfW’s application form.

Closing date for applications is 4^th July 2014.

Birchwood Highland, Celebrating over 25 Years, Volunteer opportunities.

Birchwood Highland, Celebrating over 25 Years.

Now have Volunteer opportunities in the following roles:

Administration/Office Work, Arts (Music, Drama, Crafts),
Buddy, Computing, Driving Support, Facilitating/Training Assistant,
Fundraising, Gardening, Home Based Volunteering, Management/Business Skills, Marketing/PR/Media,
Mentoring, Newsletter Researcher/Editor, Practical/DIY,
Research/Policy Work, Service User Groups, Specialist/Technical,
Sports/Outdoor Activities, Tutoring/Support.

Find out more: Signpost Volunteer Centre, Tel: 01463 711393, Email: reception@signpost-inc.org, www.signpost-inc.org

Highland Third Sector Interface, info@htspinterface.org.uk

creativity in dementia care course

Trees for life.Conservation Days

Trees for life.
Upcoming dates:

Weds 11th June - Grudie Oakwood, Garve 
Aspen maintenance tasks, non-native removal. Some rough ground and brash.

Weds 18th June - Dundreggan/Balnacarn
Nursery work or fertilising trees at Balnacarn. Gentle and tougher options!

Weds 25th June - Glen Affric
Aspen maintenance tasks. Some walking over rough ground.


Induction days:

Tues 3rd June
Tues 1st July

For volunteers new to Trees for Life or those that would like to hear more about the background to our work and Dundreggan. The days will be split between an overview of our work: Dundreggan estate, deer management and volunteering, and visiting one of our project sites at Dundreggan. Pick up in Nairn, Inverness or Drumnadrochit.


Wildlife Week - Offer!

Up Close to Nature - 21st to 28th June, only £25 to our local volunteers.

Led by Trees for Life's founder, Alan Watson Featherstone, this week offers fascinating encounters with Caledonian Forest species - from the colourful strawberry spider and rare wood ants, to the world of lichens, mosses and fungi. This exceptional wildlife experience wil be combined with practical conservation work.

If you would like to join any of the dates above, please contact us by calling our office 01309 691292, or emailing info@treesforlife.org.uk.

new start yard sale/ volunteers needed

WEA (Women@Work) - Dates set for Council budget consultation

WEA Women@Work
Women working together for change

Dates set for Council budget consultation

See  http://bit.ly/1pLWBjX

WEA (Women@Work) Event

Caithness - Re-use Your Empties! Recycling Workshop 
Friday 27th June 2014

http://bit.ly/1oNyDrj

WEA (Women@Work) Event

Argyll - Getting Your Message Across Using Social Media - Argyll College, Lorne Street, Lochgilphead - 23rd June 2014, 10.30 – 1.30 
Monday 23rd June 2014

http://bit.ly/1rCprrR

Highlands & Islands Equality Forum, the latest..

New Service to benefit deaf and blind people opens in Inverness

http://bit.ly/1jM51CP

'Listening and Learning: how feedback, comments, concerns and complaints can improve NHS services in Scotland'

http://bit.ly/1l0nkJ0

MSPs say fathers should have same right to flexible hours

http://bbc.in/1nYHLsA

Enter now for the Scottish Top Employers for Working Families awards

http://bit.ly/1jM6cCc

Inclusion Scotland Survey of Disabled People living in Scotland

http://bit.ly/1kxB6TP

Training and events

Shaping the Future of Health Research - 6 June, Glasgow

Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health & Life Sciences and SCVO are running an interactive session for third sector organisations who are interested in working in partnership on research opportunities in the area of applied health.

Find out more  http://bit.ly/1n3L7bf

Carers Week: 9-13 June 2014

As part of Carers Week, Connecting Carers are running a series of free events for unpaid carers across the Highlands.

Find out more  http://bit.ly/1rC7cma

Arthritis Care Scotland Train the Trainer - 17/18 and 27/28 June, Inverness

Arthritis Care Scotland are running a free fou day Train the Trainer course as part of the recruitment of volunteer trainers in the Highlands.

Find out more  http://bit.ly/1jM71ek

Funding opportunities

Bank of Scotland Foundation Medium Grants Programme

The Bank of Scotland Foundation has announced that its Medium Grants Programme is open for applications. Grants of between £10,001 and £25,000 are available to charities for projects that develop and improve local communities and those that develop financial literacy and financial inclusion. Application deadline 14 July 2014.

Find out more  http://bit.ly/1ki3n1v

Cairngorms National Park travel grant

Cairngorms National Park Authority will be continuing its outdoor learning travel grant to support schools and community groups to make educational trips to the National Park. Grants are available to cover up to 75% of costs or £200 to cover transport costs to the Park.

Find out more  http://bit.ly/1pu25Q6

Children in Need Small Grants Programme

Funding up to £10,000 is available for projects that combat disadvantage and improve children and young people's lives Through the BBC Children in Need Small Grants Programme. Application deadline 15 September.

Find out more  http://bbc.in/1eEEC7t

HIEF representation

Highland Public Services Partnership Equality and Diversity Strategy Group

Highlands & Islands Equality Forum, along with the Highland Third Sector Partnership, is represented on this group to provide a voice for third sector organisations and community groups as part of the partnership's work to promote equality and diversity in Highland and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Find out more  http://bit.ly/1tBii6D

Inclusive Cairngorms  

Highlands & Islands Equality Forum is represented alongside other third sector organisations, community groups and individuals as part of Inclusive Cairngorms, the advisory group to the Cairngorm's National Park Authority, to support the group's aims to promote social inclusion and involvement in the Park.

Find out more   http://bit.ly/1nHwI7S

Make sure your voice is heard!

Please help us to ensure that your voice is included in Highlands & Islands Equality Forum's representation work by getting in contact with us at hief@scvo.org.uk, or calling 01463 251 727, to share your views and experiences and tell us what the key issues are for you and the people you work with.