The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) is a generous tax relief that allows for the total amount of qualifying expenditure on plant and machinery business assets to be deducted from your profits before tax.

Our last National insurance blog listed the expected national insurance contribution rates for 2024; however, from what has recently been changed in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget for 2024 As had been widely expected, the Chancellor announced further changes to National Insurance contributions (NIC) rates for employees and the self-employed.
 

Tax Diary January 2024

Key dates for your tax diary in December 2023.

What are Capital Losses
Usually, if you sell an asset for less than you paid, you will make a capital loss. As a general rule, if the support would have been liable to CGT had a gain occurred, then the loss should be an allowable deduction.

 

What are Capital Losses
Usually, if you sell an asset for less than you paid, you will make a capital loss. As a general rule, if the support would have been liable to CGT had a gain occurred, then the loss should be an allowable deduction.

 

A large number of taxpayers are at risk of a fine if they miss a key deadline at the end of July.

There are special rules to follow if you have submitted a Self-Assessment return and subsequently realise you need to change it. For example, this can happen if you made a mistake such as entering a number incorrectly or omitted information from the return.

There are special rules to follow if you have submitted a Self-Assessment return and subsequently realise you need to change it. For example, this can happen if you made a mistake such as entering a number incorrectly or omitted information from the return.

The annual exempt amount on capital gains tax for individuals in2023-24 was reduced to £6,000 (from £12,300) and is set to be further halved to £3,000 from April 2024. A married couple each have a separate exemption. This also applies to civil partners who are treated in the same way as married couples for capital gains tax purposes. 

The annual exempt amount on capital gains tax for individuals in2023-24 was reduced to £6,000 (from £12,300) and is set to be further halved to £3,000 from April 2024. A married couple each have a separate exemption. This also applies to civil partners who are treated in the same way as married couples for capital gains tax purposes. 

Inheritance tax (IHT) is commonly collected on a person’s estate when they die but can also be payable during a person’s lifetime on certain trusts and gifts. The rate of IHT currently payable is 40% on death and 20% on lifetime gifts. IHT is payable at a reduced rate on certain assets if a taxpayer leaves 10% or more of the 'net value' to charity of their estate.

If you’re earning £50,000 a year or more, and you’re part of an employer NEST pension scheme or other ‘relief at source’ arrangement, you could be missing out on significant tax reliefs.

The deadline for submitting the 2022-23 forms P11D, P11D(b) and P9D is 6 July 2023. The forms can be submitted using commercial software or via HMRC’s PAYE online service. Employees must also be provided with a copy of the information relating to them on these forms by the same date. 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 is including such benefits through their payroll.

Business Asset Rollover Relief is a valuable relief that allows for the deferral of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on gains made when taxpayers sell or dispose of certain assets and use all or part of the proceeds to buy new business assets. The relief means that the tax on the gain of the old asset is postponed. The amount of the gain is effectively rolled over into the cost of the new asset, and any CGT liability is deferred until the new asset is sold.

The annual exempt amount applicable to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is to be more than halved from April 2023. This means that the exempt amount will be reduced from £12,300 to £6,000 from April 2023 before being further reduced to £3,000 from April 2024. 

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his Spring Budget on 15 March 2023.  We take a look at some of the key announcements.

The Government recently announced important changes to the R&D scheme for companies claiming under either the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) scheme and/or the RDEC scheme.  These changes impact on the amount of tax relief/repayments due in respect of expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2023.

The Non-resident Landlord (NRL) Scheme is a special scheme for the UK rental income of non-resident landlords. This includes companies or trustees whose 'usual place of abode' is outside the UK. HMRC classifies a person living abroad for 6 months or more per year, as a non-resident landlord. This is the case even if the person is a UK resident for tax purposes.

HMRC’s Code of Practice 9 (COP9) leaflet outlines the procedures for any investigations into serious fraud by HMRC. COP9 covers both direct and indirect taxes and includes confirmation from HMRC that taxpayers will be treated fairly and courteously. Investigations of this type by HMRC are designed to ascertain the full facts of a case and to collect any tax liabilities, penalties and interest deemed owing in cases of fraudulent conduct.

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. The current IHT nil rate band is £325,000 per person, below which no IHT is payable. This is the amount that can be passed on free of IHT as a tax-free threshold.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 2 February 2023 and voted 6-3 in favour of raising interest rates by 50 basis points to 4% in a move to try and continue to tackle upward pressures on inflation. This is the tenth time in a row that the MPC has increased interest rates with rates now the highest they have been since November 2008.

Have you thought about taking on an extra job during the COVID – 19 pandemic? Perhaps you have been put on furlough and have spent time thinking of innovative ways to start a side business, to pass some time and inevitably save up some money, for when life returns to normal. 

•    Early tax rises would hit business and consumer sentiment
•    Businesses also want assistance targeted at those that need it – more means checking and anti-fraud checks
 

1 October 2020 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 December 2019.
 

The countdown has begun for this years’ paper tax return, a crucial time for around 400,000 taxpayers who are self employed or those that receive other income that requires the submission of a tax return, which is normally rental income, or interest and dividend income that is liable to income tax at more than the basic rate.

The Chancellor has made a series of announcements about ongoing support for businesses suffering because of the coronavirus, intended to help them through the winter.

1 September 2020 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 November 2019.
 

Your UK residence status affects whether you need to pay tax in the UK on your foreign income. 

Important dates for your diary 

The Chancellor has written to the OTS (Office of Tax Simplification), to ask the OTS to undertake a review of Capital Gains Tax and aspects of the taxation of chargeable gains, in relation to individuals and smaller businesses.
 

Measures were announced by the government on 23rd April 2020, designed to protect tenants of commercial property from aggressive rent collection, potentially pushing viable businesses into insolvency.

Measures were announced by the government on 23rd April 2020, designed to protect tenants of commercial property from aggressive rent collection, potentially pushing viable businesses into insolvency.

The impacts of Covid-19 are far reaching. Almost every business has been impacted to some degree. So what action can businesses take to weather the storm? There is currently a huge amount of information in the ether to absorb, so to help navigate it all, Moore South have compiled a user friendly list of measures to help businesses trade through.

The impacts of Covid-19 are far reaching. Almost every business has been impacted to some degree. So what action can businesses take to weather the storm? There is currently a huge amount of information in the ether to absorb, so to help navigate it all, Moore South have compiled a user friendly list of measures to help businesses trade through.

It is unlikely that our businesses will be unaffected by the inevitable slow-down in economic activity as the Coronavirus outbreak starts to bite.

It is unlikely that our businesses will be unaffected by the inevitable slow-down in economic activity as the Coronavirus outbreak starts to bite.

February 2020 - Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 30 April 2019.

If a company makes loans to its employees (including directors) there may be tax consequences. The same may also apply to loans extended to their family members.

Stamp Duty Land Tax or “SDLT” is due when someone buys a property, or land, over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland. 

Although the Brexit process continues to throw a spanner into the normal workings of government, there are a few certainties from a tax point of view that will be effective from April 2020. A few property related changes are noted in this article:

When an employee or director has use of a company car, they are subject to benefit in kind tax. The amount of tax payable depends on the car’s value when new, and the CO2 emissions it produces. Therefore, an employee with a 1.2l petrol Toyota will pay much less tax than one with a 2.0l diesel Audi. 

A FIC is a “family investment company” and a tax efficient way of passing on your wealth without losing control of it.

It is possible to make small tax-free payments to employees, including directors, and this might be an appropriate time to make a small tax-free bonus in advance of the annual holidays.

Important tax dates for your May diary

You will pay Scottish Income Tax if you live in Scotland, Income Tax if you live in England or Northern Ireland and the Welsh Income Tax if you live in Wales.

A reminder that HMRC may consider extended options for settling your outstanding tax bill. The key is to contact HMRC, explain why you can’t pay on time, and discuss how you can settle any outstanding liabilities.

A reminder that HMRC may consider extended options for settling your outstanding tax bill. The key is to contact HMRC, explain why you can’t pay on time, and discuss how you can settle any outstanding liabilities.

Making Tax Digital is fast approaching; therefore it is important for mandated businesses with taxable turnover of £85,000+ start preparing for the switch over in April 2019.   The first VAT period affected is the period which begins after 1 April 2019.

Making Tax Digital is fast approaching; therefore it is important for mandated businesses with taxable turnover of £85,000+ start preparing for the switch over in April 2019.   The first VAT period affected is the period which begins after 1 April 2019.

Important tax dates for March.

Important tax dates for March.

It is a commonly held point of view that when you sell your home you won’t pay any tax, and in particular, that you won’t pay any Capital Gains Tax on the difference between the purchase and sales prices.

It is a commonly held point of view that when you sell your home you won’t pay any tax, and in particular, that you won’t pay any Capital Gains Tax on the difference between the purchase and sales prices.

Can we still use spreadsheets after MTD comes into force?
One of the most commonly asked questions concerning the Making Tax Digital changes coming in from April 2019 concerns whether spreadsheets count as “functional compatible software”.  The answer to this is both yes and no.

In the autumn budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond proposed the UK implement a ‘digital services tax’ on sales by technology giants. 

What is cloud accounting?

Cloud accounting uses software that is hosted on remote servers rather than on a company’s own servers. Data is sent to and stored in "the cloud," where it is processed and returned to the user - all application functions are performed off-site and not on the user's desktop.

On Friday 1st February, HMRC announced that over 93% of taxpayers filed their self-assessment tax returns on time and before the 31st January deadline.

On Friday 1st February, HMRC announced that over 93% of taxpayers filed their self-assessment tax returns on time and before the 31st January deadline.

You can give away £3,000 worth of gifts each tax year (6 April to 5 April) without them being added to the value of your estate. This is known as your ‘annual exemption’.

You can give away £3,000 worth of gifts each tax year (6 April to 5 April) without them being added to the value of your estate. This is known as your ‘annual exemption’.

2019 is set to be a year of changes for finances, with everything from council tax, state pension payments and inheritance tax set to change. Find out about the changes below and how your finances could be affected.

2019 is set to be a year of changes for finances, with everything from council tax, state pension payments and inheritance tax set to change. Find out about the changes below and how your finances could be affected.

In the autumn budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond proposed the UK implement a ‘digital services tax’ on sales by technology giants. 

In the autumn budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond proposed the UK implement a ‘digital services tax’ on sales by technology giants. 

Ministers in the United Kingdom are considering new ways to fund the increasing cost of social care. 

One of the suggested methods has been successfully used in Germany for nearly two decades and involves placing a 2.5% levy onto the income and earnings of those aged over 40.

Ministers in the United Kingdom are considering new ways to fund the increasing cost of social care. 

One of the suggested methods has been successfully used in Germany for nearly two decades and involves placing a 2.5% levy onto the income and earnings of those aged over 40.

Named the additional rate, the highest rate of Income Tax is 45%, and some might say 45% is high enough.

However, if the rate of tax is measured as the relationship between income and tax plus tax related penalties paid, there are times when this 45% can rise, to as much as 90%.

Named the additional rate, the highest rate of Income Tax is 45%, and some might say 45% is high enough.

However, if the rate of tax is measured as the relationship between income and tax plus tax related penalties paid, there are times when this 45% can rise, to as much as 90%.

See important tax dates for January here.

See important tax dates for January here.

As the year draws to a close, the thought of your tax return is there, at the back of your mind. But with so much time before the deadline, you decide not to worry about it for now.

As the year draws to a close, the thought of your tax return is there, at the back of your mind. But with so much time before the deadline, you decide not to worry about it for now.

Fraudsters will disguise themselves as HMRC and other government departments/professional bodies to:
•    Obtain personal details which they will sell or use for identity theft,
•    Coax victims into handing over money,
•    Use victims’ details to steal money from their accounts. 
 

Fraudsters will disguise themselves as HMRC and other government departments/professional bodies to:
•    Obtain personal details which they will sell or use for identity theft,
•    Coax victims into handing over money,
•    Use victims’ details to steal money from their accounts. 
 

This article is our usual reminder of the tax breaks available if you are organising a Christmas party for your staff.
 

This article is our usual reminder of the tax breaks available if you are organising a Christmas party for your staff.
 

Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,190 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner - if they earn more than you.
This reduces their tax by up to £238 in the tax year. To benefit from this arrangement, you (as the lower earner) must have an income below your Personal Allowance - this is £11,850 for the current tax year.

Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,190 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner - if they earn more than you.
This reduces their tax by up to £238 in the tax year. To benefit from this arrangement, you (as the lower earner) must have an income below your Personal Allowance - this is £11,850 for the current tax year.

If you have received a refund from a PPI claim, the premiums refunded are not taxable.

However, many successful claims are being paid out with a simple 8% interest to compensate the time you were without the benefit of your money.
 

If you have received a refund from a PPI claim, the premiums refunded are not taxable.

However, many successful claims are being paid out with a simple 8% interest to compensate the time you were without the benefit of your money.
 

November is a very busy time for returns and tax payments. Below are the important dates coming up over the next month. 

November is a very busy time for returns and tax payments. Below are the important dates coming up over the next month. 

Commercial property firms are being urged to ensure their capital allowance provisions are in order after a tribunal sparked a debate over claims.

HMRC is still required to obtain certain returns from you even if there is no income or tax to declare. Failure to submit will likely trigger late filing penalties and unfortunately, pleading ignorance of your obligations to file “nil” returns is not a reasonable excuse.

HMRC is still required to obtain certain returns from you even if there is no income or tax to declare. Failure to submit will likely trigger late filing penalties and unfortunately, pleading ignorance of your obligations to file “nil” returns is not a reasonable excuse.

HMRC has about-faced regarding the ban on using spreadsheets to work out your VAT return data from 1 April 2019, when the new requirement to file VAT returns using Making Tax Digital (MTD) format is introduced.

HMRC has about-faced regarding the ban on using spreadsheets to work out your VAT return data from 1 April 2019, when the new requirement to file VAT returns using Making Tax Digital (MTD) format is introduced.

1 August 2018 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 October 2017.

1 August 2018 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 October 2017.

Whether you pay income tax or National Insurance, the effect on your cash flow is the same.

Whether you pay income tax or National Insurance, the effect on your cash flow is the same.

It would seem, that HMRC is keen to plug the apparent drain from VAT receipts when contractors and sub-contractors charge their customers VAT and then go missing, keeping the VAT for themselves. This is described in legislation as “missing trader fraud”.
 

It would seem, that HMRC is keen to plug the apparent drain from VAT receipts when contractors and sub-contractors charge their customers VAT and then go missing, keeping the VAT for themselves. This is described in legislation as “missing trader fraud”.
 

Many of you may have seen the recent press regarding HMRC’s calculation errors when it comes to income ta payable for individuals in 2016/17.

Many of you may have seen the recent press regarding HMRC’s calculation errors when it comes to income ta payable for individuals in 2016/17.

May is a very busy time in the tax calendar, with critical filing dates.

May is a very busy time in the tax calendar, with critical filing dates.

Up to 5 April 2018, certain payments in lieu of notice were not taxable, primarily, those not contractually required to be made.

Up to 5 April 2018, certain payments in lieu of notice were not taxable, primarily, those not contractually required to be made.

A number of Isle of Wight residents’ landline numbers have been targeted in a HMRC telephone scam and this has now led to police issuing a warning to all residents on the Isle of Wight.
 

A number of Isle of Wight residents’ landline numbers have been targeted in a HMRC telephone scam and this has now led to police issuing a warning to all residents on the Isle of Wight.
 

1 April 2018 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 June 2017.

1 April 2018 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 June 2017.

A reminder that making loans to your employees or their relatives can create tax problems for employees and employers. For example, the employer will have an obligation to report a beneficial loan to HMRC and the deemed benefit would be a taxable benefit in kind for the relevant employee.
 

A reminder that making loans to your employees or their relatives can create tax problems for employees and employers. For example, the employer will have an obligation to report a beneficial loan to HMRC and the deemed benefit would be a taxable benefit in kind for the relevant employee.
 

Since 14 February 2018, tax-free childcare has become available to all remaining eligible families: parents whose youngest child is under 12. The new scheme aims to help working parents with the cost of childcare. 

According to government, it is quick and easy to apply, and parents could save thousands of pounds each year. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year. HMRC has been gradually rolling out tax-free childcare since April 2017. 

Since 14 February 2018, tax-free childcare has become available to all remaining eligible families: parents whose youngest child is under 12. The new scheme aims to help working parents with the cost of childcare. 

According to government, it is quick and easy to apply, and parents could save thousands of pounds each year. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year. HMRC has been gradually rolling out tax-free childcare since April 2017. 

New rules for car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) come into force this year and unfortunately, it can mean a substantial hike in tax for some drivers if your car was first registered on or after 1 April 2017, especially if your car is a diesel vehicle. 

New rules for car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) come into force this year and unfortunately, it can mean a substantial hike in tax for some drivers if your car was first registered on or after 1 April 2017, especially if your car is a diesel vehicle. 

HM Revenue & Customs has published updated guidance on the VAT treatment of grants and contracts to clarify which grants are outside the scope of VAT and which are subject to VAT.
 

HM Revenue & Customs has published updated guidance on the VAT treatment of grants and contracts to clarify which grants are outside the scope of VAT and which are subject to VAT.
 

The countdown has begun for this years’ online tax return, a crucial time for around 11 million taxpayers who are self employed or  receive other income that requires the submission of a tax return, which is normally rental income, or interest and dividend income that is liable to income tax.  Because of changes made to the taxation of dividends with effect from 6 April 2017, any one who receives more than £5,000 of dividends in a year is likely to have an income tax liability, even if they are only basic rate taxpayers.  In the past only higher rate taxpayers have had to pay any tax on their dividend income.

The countdown has begun for this years’ online tax return, a crucial time for around 11 million taxpayers who are self employed or  receive other income that requires the submission of a tax return, which is normally rental income, or interest and dividend income that is liable to income tax.  Because of changes made to the taxation of dividends with effect from 6 April 2017, any one who receives more than £5,000 of dividends in a year is likely to have an income tax liability, even if they are only basic rate taxpayers.  In the past only higher rate taxpayers have had to pay any tax on their dividend income.

In the past, the directors of larger organisations have been able to avoid personal responsibility for the tax evasion acts of their employees and other associates if they can plead ignorance of the act.

In the past, the directors of larger organisations have been able to avoid personal responsibility for the tax evasion acts of their employees and other associates if they can plead ignorance of the act.

The headline for the Autumn 2017 budget was building a Great Britain fit for the future, creating jobs, preparing for a digital age and supporting families. With the surprise of the day being the abolition of stamp duty (up to £300,000) for first time buyers. 

 

The headline for the Autumn 2017 budget was building a Great Britain fit for the future, creating jobs, preparing for a digital age and supporting families. With the surprise of the day being the abolition of stamp duty (up to £300,000) for first time buyers. 

 

Today marked the first Autumn Budget in 20 years and some may say that it was the ‘most important’ of Philip Hammond’s tenure as the Chancellor. It followed in similar suit of the last Budget, with a substantial focus on the UK property market and the governments bid to tackle the need for affordable housing.
 

Today marked the first Autumn Budget in 20 years and some may say that it was the ‘most important’ of Philip Hammond’s tenure as the Chancellor. It followed in similar suit of the last Budget, with a substantial focus on the UK property market and the governments bid to tackle the need for affordable housing.
 

There is continuing speculation in the financial press about the likely changes that Philip Hammond will introduce in his budget announcements on 22nd November 2017.

There is continuing speculation in the financial press about the likely changes that Philip Hammond will introduce in his budget announcements on 22nd November 2017.

If you file your 2016-17 self-assessment tax return on or before 30 December 2017, you can elect to spread the repayment of any underpayment of tax for 2016-17 to the tax year 2018-19. This is done by amending your tax code for 2018-19 such that any arrears are repaid by increasing your tax payments each pay period.

If you file your 2016-17 self-assessment tax return on or before 30 December 2017, you can elect to spread the repayment of any underpayment of tax for 2016-17 to the tax year 2018-19. This is done by amending your tax code for 2018-19 such that any arrears are repaid by increasing your tax payments each pay period.

For many, when they think of what occurs on 31^st October they think of Frankenstein, trick or treating, ghosts and pumpkins….. but for some the answer is PAPER TAX RETURN DEADLINE!

For many, when they think of what occurs on 31^st October they think of Frankenstein, trick or treating, ghosts and pumpkins….. but for some the answer is PAPER TAX RETURN DEADLINE!

The countdown has begun for this years’ paper tax return, a crucial time for around 10 miilion taxpayers who are either self employed or  receive other income that requires the submission of a tax return, which is normally rental income,  interest or dividend income. It is also necessary to submit a tax return if you have realized capital gains on which a tax liability arises, or if you have made a loss on the disposal of a capital asset that you want to carry forward to set against future gains.

The countdown has begun for this years’ paper tax return, a crucial time for around 10 miilion taxpayers who are either self employed or  receive other income that requires the submission of a tax return, which is normally rental income,  interest or dividend income. It is also necessary to submit a tax return if you have realized capital gains on which a tax liability arises, or if you have made a loss on the disposal of a capital asset that you want to carry forward to set against future gains.

Are you self-employed? If you are, or if you are someone who doesn't pay all their tax at source, you may need to make your second payment on account for 2016-17, due date for payment is 31 July 2017.
 

Are you self-employed? If you are, or if you are someone who doesn't pay all their tax at source, you may need to make your second payment on account for 2016-17, due date for payment is 31 July 2017.
 

In 2014, the DVLA scrapped the displaying of a paper tax disc, as for the first time in 90 years drivers would resort to a new procedure and meet the new rules, by renewing their car tax by phone, DVLA website or at the post office. 

In 2014, the DVLA scrapped the displaying of a paper tax disc, as for the first time in 90 years drivers would resort to a new procedure and meet the new rules, by renewing their car tax by phone, DVLA website or at the post office. 

1 June 2016 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 August 2015.

1 June 2016 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 August 2015.

In the context of this article tax credit does not refer to the child or working tax credits – these are part of the benefits system. Tax credits in this article refer to a deduction made from your overall tax liabilities, usually at a fixed percentage rate of the relevant income.
 

In the context of this article tax credit does not refer to the child or working tax credits – these are part of the benefits system. Tax credits in this article refer to a deduction made from your overall tax liabilities, usually at a fixed percentage rate of the relevant income.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the tax on private fuel provided with company cars is so high, many employers now have an arrangement whereby they no longer pay for private fuel. In this case, the employee must reimburse the employer for private fuel included in petrol bills paid by the employer. Otherwise, the employee may face a tax charge.

Since the tax on private fuel provided with company cars is so high, many employers now have an arrangement whereby they no longer pay for private fuel. In this case, the employee must reimburse the employer for private fuel included in petrol bills paid by the employer. Otherwise, the employee may face a tax charge.

Most of our readers will be aware that they can make chargeable gains of up to £11,100 in the tax year 2015-16 and pay no CGT. This exemption cannot be transferred to a future tax year or carried back to a previous tax year if it is not utilised.

Most of our readers will be aware that they can make chargeable gains of up to £11,100 in the tax year 2015-16 and pay no CGT. This exemption cannot be transferred to a future tax year or carried back to a previous tax year if it is not utilised.