The Musicians’ Answering Service

Service Newsletter May 1996

For Fixers & Orchestral Managers

 

173 High Street Dorking Surrey RH4 1AD

Diary Service: 01306 880669 Accounts: 01306 880404

Fax: 01306 888041

 

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The Service That Does As It’s Told

 

MAS Staffing

 

It is with regret that we are having to say goodbye to Karen who after two years of Stalwart service with us is leaving at the end of this month to join the Performing Rights Society as Music Service Assistant. Instead of her looking after your diaries here she will be helping to look after your residual payments.

 

We all at MAS wish her luck and will be very sorry to see her go. To recap: Staff coverage and names are as follows:

 

Mon - Fri          8 am - Midnight            3 Operators on at any given time

Sat & Sun          8 am - Midnight            2 Operators on at any given time

 

Current staffing is as follows:-

 

                                                Isobel - Manager

                                                Alison               Karen

                                                Ann                  Louise

                                                Danielle            Madeleine

                                                Gill                  Rachel

                                                Helen

 

 

 

 

 

CV Listing

 

Be warned, a C.V Listing update is going out to all the fixers and orchestral managers mid June. If you wish to be included in the listing or update your C.V. from a previous listing the copy deadline is the 1st June so hurry up and let us have your C.V.s now

 

If you are not sure whether this service is appropriate for you please give me a ring. I am very happy to talk it through with you. Remember it is not just applicable to people new to the Diary Service or new to the freelance world. We have very many established players included and what is more IT IS FREE.

 

Messages To Fixers

 

Just a reminder that if you wish to take advantage of our "messages to fixers service" i.e. answers to work offers we have had to refer to you for your decision, please instruct us on each occasion - if you don't - we will assume you do not want us to do it.

 

The Service Continues To Grow

 

Congratulations to you all. It is thanks to you that the service continues to grow. Your recommendations are keeping musicians choosing us which in turn is helping to give a more and more comprehensive service to the fixers and people searching for deputies etc.

 

Please Come And Visit

 

Don't be shy - cone and say hello. It is great for us to meet in person the clients we usually only talk to on the phone. Dorking may seem the other end of the universe but it is only 44 minutes away from Waterloo or Victoria or about the same in the car from central London. If we know you are coming we will do you proud with wine and food in abundance.

 

Please contact me on 01306 880669 to arrange the date. You will not be disappointed I assure you. We really enjoy meeting the faces behind the voices.

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile News

 

You are all, no doubt, aware of the dynamic discounts and free accessories with Orange that PMC are now offering to clients of MAS.

 

 

Sec the enclosed leaflet for details of their latest projects, services and products. PMC will advise you of the least expensive route to your mobile requirements. Their strict policy is that honesty comes before sales. Contact PMC on Tel No. 01306 740077

 

Bulletin Board

 

Stephen Milne has moved

Nick Thompson has moved

Andy Crowley's has a new home telephone number

 

Steve Levine is leaving the Philharmonia to freelance and is available for work from June 1st.

 

Reminder

Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is anything you require listed on our Bulletin Board. Such things as instruments for sale, change of telephone number, lost instruments or any other information that you may feel would be of interest or useful to our members or to the fixers.

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Tips – Performing Arts Pension Scheme

The Performing Arts Pension Scheme is now in it's third year. There is not a single member of the scheme whose notional fund value is less that the premiums invested. Indeed, all members have notional fund values far greater than the premiums paid. This is because it is a group pension scheme that attracts lower charges. New members joining the scheme before 5th June 1996 will attract an introductory bonus equivalent to a cash injection of at least 3 times the monthly contribution. Further information and personalised quotations can he obtained from Graeme Blair Financial Planning on 01732 743092. Graeme Blair Financial Planning is totally 'independent' and regulated by the Personal Investment Authority.

 

Tax Tips – Self Assessment Updates

The self-assessment regime is now almost upon us. The purpose of this article is to highlight the major difference in the new system and the major pitfalls awaiting the unwary taxpayer. The first self-assessment returns, for the year ended 5th April 1997, will be issued in April 1997 and must be returned to the Inland Revenue by 31st January 1998 if the automatic £100 penalty is to be avoided. Unlike existing returns, the self-assessment return includes a calculation of liability which the taxpayer or his agent is expected to complete. It is possible to have the Inland Revenue calculate the liability provided the return is made no later than 30th September following the end of the year assessment. It will he possible to amend the return withing one year of submission, provided it was originally sent in on time and that the Inland Revenue has not started an enquiry.

 

Payment of tax

Taxpayers will normally make two payments on account on the 31st January within the tax year and on 31st July after the end of the tax year. As all self-employed taxpayers will now be assessed on a current year basis, a significant number will have to pay estimated amounts on 31st January and 31st July. A final payment will then be made at the time the self-assessment return is sent. The Inland Revenue have stated that they intend issuing a taxpayer with a statement, similar to a credit card statement, showing tax liabilities including interest and penalities, less any payments made, leaving the balance due.

 

Interest and penalties

There is a range of penalties which are intended to encourange compliance. These include interest on all late payments, a fixed surcharge on late payments of tax due with a return, a fixed penalty for late returns and a variable penalty for incorrect returns. Self-assessment was heralded as a government initiative reducing red tape with the aim of cutting down the burdens placed on small business!

 

For further information call:     

Mike Harding

Harding Whiteman

36 Rose Hill, Sutton, Surrey, S:M 13EU

Tel : 0181 641 0102 Fax: 0181 641 4002