News
What does the Queen’s Speech mean for employment law?17/10/2019 - More...
The Queen’s Speech 2019 outlined several Brexit-related Bills, including an Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, designed to end free movement within the UK after Brexit and to lay the foundation for a new, modern and global immigration system. The Bill will also reaffirm the government’s
New £20 note unveiled
16/10/2019 - More...
The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has unveiled the design of the new £20 note featuring the artist JMW Turner. The new note will be launched on 20 February 2020 and will join the current £5 and £10 notes in being printed on polymer, a thin flexible plastic. The new plastic £20 note will include a
National Living/Minimum Wage entitlement
16/10/2019 - More...
A reminder that the current National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates came into effect on 1 April 2019. The NLW is the minimum hourly rate that must be paid to those aged 25 or over. The current rate for the NLW is £8.21. The hourly rate of the NMW (for 21-24 year olds) is £7.70. The rates for 18-20
Who is eligible for 10% tax on business sale?
16/10/2019 - More...
Entrepreneurs' Relief (ER) can be valuable relief when selling your business, your shares in a trading company or your interest in a trading partnership. Where ER is available, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) of 10% is payable. This rate applies to qualifying lifetime gains of up to £10 million. However, it is important to remember
Tax if you return to the UK
16/10/2019 - More...
There used to be a form that had to be completed advising HMRC if you were returning to live in the UK from another country. Whilst this form was abolished some time ago, there are still various actions that you may need to take if you are returning to live and work in the UK. In most cases, if you return to live in the UK you will be
Provisional date announced for Autumn Budget 2019
16/10/2019 - More...
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, has announced that he is planning to hold his first Autumn Budget 2019 on Wednesday, 6 November 2019. However, this date is based on the UK leaving the EU with a deal on 31 October 2019. At the time of going to press, this was certainly not a foregone conclusion. The Chancellor did confirm
Gifts in anticipation of marriage
16/10/2019 - More...
There is a special exemption from Inheritance Tax for cash gifts made on or shortly before the date that the relevant wedding or civil partnership ceremony takes place. The amount of tax relief varies depending on the relationship between the donor and the recipient. Each parent (including step-parents) can gift up to £5,000 tax
Definition of a Welsh taxpayer
16/10/2019 - More...
The start of the 2019-20 tax year marked a fundamental change to the way Income Tax is calculated for people who live in Wales. The new Welsh rates of Income Tax (WRIT) is payable on the non-savings and non-dividend income of those defined as Welsh taxpayers. The definition of a Welsh taxpayer is generally decided on the question of
Definition of a Scottish taxpayer
16/10/2019 - More...
The Scottish rate of Income Tax (SRIT) commenced on 6 April 2016 and is administered by HMRC on behalf of the Scottish Government. The SRIT is payable on the non-savings and non-dividend income of those defined as Scottish taxpayers. This means that Scottish taxpayers who also have savings and dividend income, need to consider the UK
Simplified import procedures
16/10/2019 - More...
HMRC has automatically registered many businesses to use simplified import procedures should the UK leave the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019. The scheme, called the Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) will make importing from the EU bloc much easier, especially for businesses completing customs processes for the first time.
Changing your company’s year end
08/10/2019 - More...
There are special rules in place which limit your options to change your company’s year-end date. A company’s year-end date is also known as its ‘accounting reference date’ and is historically set by reference to the date the company was incorporated. Under certain circumstances it is possible to make a change to
What is the Inheritance Tax residence nil rate band?
08/10/2019 - More...
The Inheritance Tax residence nil-rate band (RNRB) came into effect on 6 April 2017. The RNRB is a transferable allowance for married couples and civil partners (per person) when their main residence is passed down to a direct descendent such as children or grandchildren after their death. The RNRB effectively increases your existing
What is Capital Gains Tax incorporation relief?
08/10/2019 - More...
If you own a business as a sole trader or in partnership, a Capital Gain will arise if your business is transferred into a company structure. The gain will be assessed by reference to the market value of the business assets, including goodwill, at the date of transfer. This could give rise to a chargeable gain based broadly on the
Overdrawn directors’ loans
08/10/2019 - More...
An overdrawn Director’s Loan Account is created when a director (or other close family members) 'borrows' money from their company. Many companies, particularly 'close' private companies, pay the personal expenses of directors using company funds. Where these payments do not form part of a director’s
When overseas companies need to register at Companies House
08/10/2019 - More...
An overseas company must register with Companies House if they want to set up a place of business or branch in the UK. Generally, this would be if the overseas company had a physical presence in the UK through which it carries on business. If an overseas company does not have a physical presence in the UK, they are not usually required
Objecting to a limited company being struck off
08/10/2019 - More...
There are a limited range of circumstances when a company can request to be removed from the register (known as being struck off). For example, a voluntary strike off can be requested by a dormant or non-trading company. You can object to a limited company’s application to be struck off the companies register if you’re a
Post Brexit funding announced
02/10/2019 - More...
The Chancellor is set to announce a new package of measures to help the UK prepare for a post-Brexit future. We are told that these measures will also help to support the next generation and promote economic growth. It has also been confirmed that British organisations that are receiving certain EU funding, will continue to do so even
Residential landlords’ tax changes complete April 2020
02/10/2019 - More...
The tax relief on finance costs used to buy investment properties is being gradually restricted to the basic rate of tax. The full finance costs restriction will be in place from 6 April 2020. This means that from next April, all finance costs will be disallowed as expenses and any relief will be restricted to a basic rate tax
Making a loss when you sell your home?
02/10/2019 - More...
One of the most often used and valuable of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemptions is Private Residence Relief, which usually exempts any profit made on the sale of a family home. Consequently, there is no CGT on a property disposal that has been used solely as the main family residence. An investment property, which has never been used
Changes to off-payroll working from April 2020
02/10/2019 - More...
The rules for individuals providing services to the public sector via an intermediary such as a Personal Service Company (PSC), changed from April 2017. The new rules shifted the responsibility for deciding whether the intermediaries’ legislation applies, known as IR35, from the intermediary to the public sector receiving the
