News
Want to pay-off your student loan in full?14/05/2019 - More...
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 is HMRC’s responsibility to collect repayments where the borrower is working in the UK. The Student Loans Company (SLC) is
Tax on a private pension you inherit
14/05/2019 - More...
Private pensions can be an efficient way to pass on wealth, but it is important to consider what, if any, tax will be payable on a private pension you inherit. The person who died will usually have nominated you by telling their pension provider that you should inherit any monies left in their pension pot. If the nominated person
CGT and chattels
14/05/2019 - More...
A charge to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) usually arises after an asset is sold. However, there are special rules concerning the sale of certain personal assets that are worth considering. That is because these assets or possessions with a predictable useful life of 50 years or less are normally exempt from CGT. A chattel is a legal term that
Entrepreneurs’ relief minimum period increased from April 2019
14/05/2019 - More...
Entrepreneurs' relief applies to the sale of a business, shares in a trading company or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership. Where this relief is available Capital Gains Tax (CGT) of 10% is payable in place of the standard rate. CGT on the disposal of chargeable assets is usually chargeable at 20%. There are a
The scope of CGT incorporation relief
14/05/2019 - More...
Where a taxpayer owns a business as a sole trader or in partnership, a Capital Gain will be deemed to arise if the business is converted into a company by reference to the market value of the business assets including goodwill. This could give rise to a chargeable gain based broadly on the difference between the market value of the assets
Employee Car Ownership Scheme (ECOS)
14/05/2019 - More...
An Employee Car Ownership Scheme (ECOS) is a set of arrangements whereby employees acquire cars from a specified, often single source and within a specified financing framework. The use of an ECOS can be seen as a halfway measure between providing a company car and leaving an employee to make all their car arrangements privately. An ECOS
HMRC phishing emails warning
14/05/2019 - More...
HMRC continues to warn of the ever-present problem of fraudulent phishing emails. The emails typically look to obtain taxpayers personal and or financial information such as passwords, credit card or bank account details. The phishing emails often include a link to a bogus website encouraging the recipient to enter their personal
Using the Help to Save scheme
14/05/2019 - More...
The Help to Save scheme for people on low incomes was launched in September 2018. The scheme allows those in work entitled to Working Tax Credit and in receipt of Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits, to save and receive a 50% government bonus. The scheme is also open to UK residents who are claiming Universal Credit and have a
Be Data Aware campaign
09/05/2019 - More...
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched a new "Be Data Aware" campaign to help people understand how organisations might be using their personal data to target them online and why, and how people can control who is targeting them. This includes, understanding how organisations use people’s data to
Landlords, time to consider your options?
07/05/2019 - More...
Two changes to the way Private Residence Relief works are due to come into effect from April 2020. These changes could reduce the amount of CGT relief available on the sale of a private residence. The government has said that the measures are being introduced to better focus Private Residence Relief at owner-occupiers and the changes will
Submitting P11Ds is just the start of your obligations
07/05/2019 - More...
We would like to remind employers that the deadline for submitting the 2018-19 forms P11D, P11D(b) and P9D is 6 July 2019. P11D forms are used to provide information to HMRC on all Benefits in Kind (BiKs), including those under the Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRAs) unless the employer has registered to payroll benefits. This is
Last call, are you ready for revised digital filing of your VAT returns?
07/05/2019 - More...
Most VAT registered businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold need to be ready to keep digital records for VAT purposes, and to file their VAT returns, as required by the new Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules. What does this mean? For VAT return periods starting on or after 1 April 2019, businesses with a turnover above the VAT
Chargeable benefits from cheap loans
07/05/2019 - More...
An employee can obtain a benefit when provided with an employment-related cheap or interest-free loan. The benefit is the difference between the interest the employee pays, if any, and the commercial rate the employee would have to pay on a loan obtained elsewhere. These types of loans are referred to as beneficial loans. A taxable cheap
How to treat post-cessation items if property business ceases
07/05/2019 - More...
There are special rules for the taxation of post-cessation receipts after a trade has ceased. The legislation clearly states that the person who receives or is entitled to the post-cessation receipt is the person who is subject to Income Tax or Corporation Tax on the income. This does not have to be the same person who carried on the
What is a Close Company?
07/05/2019 - More...
A Close Company is broadly defined as a company that is controlled by: five or fewer participators or any number of participators who are also directors or where more than half the assets would be distributed to five or fewer participators, or to participators who are directors, in the event of the winding up of the company. A
Child benefit payments
07/05/2019 - More...
The weekly rates of child benefit for the only or eldest child in a family is currently £20.70 and the weekly rate for all other children is £13.70. These rates have remained unchanged for some time. Taxpayers entitled to the child benefit should be aware that HMRC usually stop paying child benefit on the 31 August following a
NICs and termination payments
01/05/2019 - More...
The National Insurance Contributions (NICs) Bill was introduced into Parliament on 25 April 2019. The Bill will see the introduction of a new 13.8% Employer Class 1A NIC charge on termination payments and sporting testimonials that are already liable to Income Tax from 6 April 2020. The government announced this change at Budget
What is business relief for Inheritance Tax purposes?
30/04/2019 - More...
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is levied on a person’s estate when they die and can also be payable during a person’s lifetime on certain trusts and gifts. Currently, no tax is payable when a person’s estate is worth £325,000 or less. Certain business assets may be exempt There are a number of reliefs available that can
Will your gift aid donations create a tax bill?
30/04/2019 - More...
The Gift Aid scheme is available to all UK taxpayers. The charity or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC) concerned can take a taxpayer’s donation and provided all the qualifying conditions are met, can reclaim the basic rate tax allowing for an extra 25p of tax relief on every pound donated to charity. Higher rate and additional
Beware Limited Cost Test if you use the VAT Flat Rate Scheme
30/04/2019 - More...
The VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) has been designed to simplify the way a business accounts for VAT and in so doing, reduce the administration costs of complying with the VAT legislation. The scheme is open to businesses that expect their annual taxable turnover in the next 12 months to be no more than £150,000. In April 2017, HMRC
