IFA 17 - briefs                                                                             Ruth Allen/Ruthmedia

Investing in Employee Healthcare pays dividends and can help reduce the negative effect of absenteeism. It can also contribute towards improving productivity. For £1 per week per employee, an employer can protect themselves against stress-related claims and provide assistance towards optical  care, particularly beneficial when computer screens are such a major feature of the workplace. Other benefits for dental care and therapy treatments can improve the employee's personal quality of life. For details, contact Kenneth MacPhie at Anderson MacPhie, telephone : 0800 458 1474


If you have not arranged your ISA for this tax year it is worth remembering that interest payments from fixed interest Bonds within an ISA are tax free until at least April 2009, whereas there will be no tax reclaim on equity dividends within ISAs from April 2004. For details contact Colin Rodger of Alexander Sloan Financial Planning Ltd., telephone : 0141 332 3882


Did you know that the tax treatment and contribution limits in respect of pension plans changed with the introduction of the Stakeholder Pension regime? Now everyone in the UK can benefit from tax relief on pension contributions.
If you are married, have you decided who should own the family investments to benefit from each of your tax allowances including lower income tax bands and the annual capital gains tax exemption? Changing ownership of assets can significantly reduce tax liability.
Have you checked your tax codes to ensure the Inland Revenue has given you the correct allowances for both 2002/03 and 2003/04?
If any of the above catch you attention, you may well want to seek out the recently published IFA Promotion's 'Top Ten Tax Tips', which is brimming with similar ideas to help with your pension, investment and taxation decisions. To find out more about this booklet, consult your local Independent Financial Adviser - every IFA should have one!