WITH a raft of new regulations on the way, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is helping smaller firms to understand how their businesses will be affected.

Government departments issue all their changes in business regulations twice a year, on April 6 and October 1. These are called common commencement dates (CCDs). The FPB is advising firms to prepare for some significant changes effective from April 6.

To help guide firms through the maze of new regulations, the FPB produces a range of practical business guides. These include the Employment Guide and Health & Safety Guide, which are updated annually. Many members of the FPB can also take advantage of a 24-hour legal helpline.

Health and safety - the Corporate Manslaughter Act: The Corporate Manslaughter Act, which comes into force on April 6, creates a new offence of corporate manslaughter (corporate homicide in Scotland).

Corporation tax: Smaller firms' tax contributions is set to increase, while the rate paid by bigger businesses is being cut. The main (higher) rate of corporation tax will be slashed from 30 per cent to 28 per cent, while the lower rate will go up to 21 per cent by April 2009.

Tax credits and allowances: There will be an increase in research and development credits, and a new annual investment allowance applicable to businesses of all sizes (replacing first-year allowance schemes available only to small and medium-sized firms).

There will be changes to PAYE and NI rates and thresholds. From April, only two PAYE rates will apply - a basic rate of 20 per cent and a higher rate of 40 per cent, applicable to earnings over £34,600.

Empty property relief: Business owners with property that has been empty for three months or more (six months in the case of industrial property) will have to pay full business rates.

Employment - Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE Regulations): For the first time, these will apply to organisations with 50 or more employees.

P46 and P45 requirements: From April 6, all new employees, other than pensioners, will be required to submit additional information about themselves. In addition, from April 6, employers at large and medium-sized businesses will have to electronically file Parts 1 and 3 of P45 forms.

Agency workers: Agency workers will be protected by new rules from April 6. These rules will particularly affect agencies and their clients in the entertainment and modelling sectors.