In the recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced two important changes to National Insurance contributions (NIC) for the self-employed.
The first change concerns the removal of Class 2 NICs ... read more
30-11-2023 NIC changes for employees from 6 January 2024
In the recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a significant change to National Insurance contributions (NIC) for employees.
There will be a cut in the main rate of Employee National ... read more
30-11-2023 Corporation Tax marginal rate
The Corporation Tax main rate for companies with profits in excess of £250,000 increased to 25% on 1 April 2023. A Small Profits Rate (SPR) of 19% was also introduced from the same date for companies ... read more
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is designed to help smaller higher-risk trading companies to raise finance by offering a range of tax reliefs to investors who purchase new shares in those ... read more
30-11-2023 Tax relief for R&D intensive SMEs
In the Autumn Statement it was announced that the existing R&D Expenditure Credit and Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme will be merged from April 2024.
It was also confirmed that there will be ... read more
30-11-2023 Summary of Companies House changes
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act received royal assent on 26 October 2023. The new Act provides Companies House with more power to reduce the abuse of corporate structures whilst at ... read more
30-11-2023 What now, following the Autumn Statement
In some respects, the Chancellor’s predicament is deserving of a sympathetic ear; its as if he has a long journey ahead but has one foot firmly nailed to the floor.
Stagnant growth in the UK and ... read more
28-11-2023 Directors’ duties and responsibilities
To be a director, you must be over 16 and not currently disqualified.
As a director your responsibilities include:
filing your company’s annual accounts and reports or appoint an accountant to do ... read more
23-11-2023 IHT – Giving away your home before you die
The majority of gifts made during a person's life, including gifting a home, are not subject to tax at the time of the gift. These lifetime transfers are known as 'potentially exempt transfers' or ... read more
23-11-2023 CGT - Lettings relief
In general, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on a property which has been used as the main family residence. This relief from CGT is commonly known as Private Residence Relief or PRR. However, ... read more
23-11-2023 Income Tax - £5,000 savings zero rate band
If you have taxable income of less than £17,570 in 2023-24 tax year you will have no tax to pay on interest received. This figure is calculated by adding the £5,000 starting rate limit for savings ... read more
23-11-2023 The badges of trade
The 'badges of trade' tests, whilst not conclusive, are used by HMRC to help determine whether an activity is a proper economic trade / business activity or merely a money-making by-product of a ... read more
23-11-2023 What counts as holiday accommodation?
HMRC’s VAT Notice 709/3 entitled 'Hotels and holiday accommodation' explains how supplies by hotels and similar establishments such as motels, guesthouses and B&Bs should be treated for VAT ... read more
23-11-2023 Gifts of shares to minor (under 18s) children
The settlement legislation seeks to ensure that, where a settlor has retained an interest in property in a settlement, the income arising is treated as the settlor’s income for all tax purposes. A ... read more
22-11-2023 Autumn Statement Summary
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has delivered his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons. The government continues to be faced with challenging economic conditions as the cost of ... read more
21-11-2023 £4.5bn for British manufacturing from 2025
The government has announced £4.5 billion in funding for British manufacturing to increase investment in eight sectors across the UK. The funding will be available from 2025 for five years, providing ... read more
21-11-2023 Fuel price watchdog sharpens its teeth
UK motorists will be protected at the pumps under tough new powers that will shine a light on any attempt from retailers to unfairly hike up fuel prices.
Under new amendments tabled on 15 November ... read more
16-11-2023 Tax credits top-up
The Cost of Living support package has been designed to help over 8 million households in receipt of mean tested benefits. The details for Cost of Living Payments due in the 2023-24 tax year were ... read more
16-11-2023 Marriage allowance entitlement
The marriage allowance applies to married couples and those in a civil partnership where a spouse or civil partner does not pay tax or pay tax above the basic rate threshold for Income Tax (i.e., one ... read more
16-11-2023 Tax relief on pension contributions
Taxpayers can usually claim tax relief for their private pension contributions. There is an annual allowance for tax relief on pensions of £60,000 for the current 2023-24 tax year. The annual ... read more
16-11-2023 Full expensing
The full expensing 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets came into effect on 1 April 2023. To qualify for full expensing, expenditure must be incurred on the ... read more
16-11-2023 Hold-over gifts relief
Gifts Hold-Over Relief is a tax relief that effectively defers Capital Gains Tax (CGT) that may arise on a relevant gift. The relief can be claimed when assets are given away (including certain ... read more
16-11-2023 Time to Pay tax
If you are having trouble paying your tax on time you may be eligible to receive support from HMRC. An online payment plan for Self-Assessment tax bills can be used to set up instalment arrangements ... read more
14-11-2023 Closing the door on tax planning
When the end of a tax year passes, the 5 April 2024 for the current year, or the end of an accounting year if a company, any opportunity to take advantage of tax planning strategies closes.
For ... read more
14-11-2023 Why breakeven analysis can be illuminating
If you focus your energy on sales, there is a chance that your efforts will produce losses. Which is why we always encourage our business clients to keep their accounting records using software that ... read more
14-11-2023 Tax Diary December 2023/ January 2024
1 December 2023 - Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 28 February 2023.
19 December 2023 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 December 2023. (If you pay your tax ... read more
09-11-2023 Help to Save bonus payments
The Help to Save scheme is intended to help those on low incomes to boost their savings. Eligible users of the scheme can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month and receive a 50% government ... read more
09-11-2023 Childcare support from HMRC
Parents may be eligible to receive childcare support from HMRC using the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. The TFC scheme can help parents of children aged up to 11 years old (17 for those with certain ... read more
09-11-2023 Due a student loan refund?
Student Loans are part of the government's financial support package for students in higher education in the UK. They are available to help students meet their expenses while they are studying, and it ... read more
09-11-2023 Company tax return obligations
After the end of its financial year, a private limited company must prepare full annual accounts and a company tax return. In most cases a company’s tax return must be submitted within 12 months from ... read more
09-11-2023 Reminder of not-so-trivial tax-free benefits
There is a benefit-in-kind (BiK) trivial exemption that applies to small non-cash benefits like a bottle of wine, or a bouquet of flowers given occasionally to employees or any other BiK classed as ... read more
09-11-2023 What is a business repair?
HMRC’s internal manuals provide some useful information on the definition of a business repair. This is important because it is required to identify the asset on which work has been carried out.
This ... read more
06-11-2023 Cost of living payments
You may have been entitled to a Cost of Living Payments of £301 (paid April/May 2023) and should be about to receive £300 (payable early November 2023) and a further £299 due spring 2024. Payments are ... read more
02-11-2023 Paying tax by direct debit
One of the many ways that payments can be made to HMRC is by using a direct debit. The direct debit can be set up online.
You can pay your tax bill using direct debit if you have an online account ... read more
02-11-2023 Filling gaps in National Insurance record
National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. This can assist taxpayers to build up the number of qualifying years of National Insurance ... read more
02-11-2023 Current State Pension age
The second review of the State Pension age has been published by the Department for Work and Pensions. The State Pension age is currently 66. The review has stated that a further increase in the State ... read more
02-11-2023 Do you need to pay tax when you sell your home?
In general, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when you sell your home. This applies to a property which has been used as the main family residence. An investment property which has never been used ... read more
02-11-2023 Trusts and Income Tax
A trust is an obligation that binds a trustee, an individual or a company to deal with the trust assets, such as land, money and shares, and which form part of the trust. The person who places assets ... read more
02-11-2023 Taxable gains on gifts
Gift Hold-Over Relief is a tax relief that effectively defers Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The relief can be claimed when assets are given away (including certain shares) or sold for less than they are ... read more
01-11-2023 Back of an envelope
If you run a business and manage your planning by scribbling notes on the back of an envelope, you might be advised to read the contents of this article.
When the economy is vibrant, effectively when ... read more
01-11-2023 Cash flow v supplier credit limits
In a recent article we explained how granting lengthy credit limits to customers was as good as letting them keep your money in their bank account.
In this post we describe the opposite situation, ... read more
25-10-2023 Countdown to Self-Assessment filing deadline
There are now less than 100 days to file your 2022-23 Self-Assessment tax return online. The deadline is 31 January 2024. The deadline for paper returns ended on 31 October 2023.
You should also be ... read more
25-10-2023 Scottish council tax frozen
Humza Yousaf, Scotland's First Minister, has announced that council tax rates will be frozen in the next financial year to support people struggling with the effects of high inflation.
First ... read more
25-10-2023 Self-Assessment scam warning
Fraudsters are continuing to target taxpayers with scam emails in advance of the deadline for the submission of Self-Assessment returns for the 2022-23 tax year. In the 12 months to September 2023, ... read more
25-10-2023 Tax free annual party
The cost of a staff party or other annual entertainment is generally allowed as a deduction for tax purposes. If you meet the various criteria outlined below, then there is no requirement to report ... read more
25-10-2023 Replacement of domestic items relief
The replacement of domestic items relief enables landlords to claim tax relief when they replace movable furniture, furnishings, household appliances and kitchenware in a rental property. The ... read more
25-10-2023 Loss of personal tax allowance
If you earn over £100,000 in any tax year your personal allowance is gradually reduced by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income over £100,000 irrespective of age. This means that any taxable receipt ... read more
23-10-2023 New company reporting regulation withdrawn
The Government has withdrawn draft regulations after consultation with companies raised concerns about imposing additional reporting requirements.
Instead, the Government will pursue options to ... read more
