Author Archives: Anna Cummings

The Government is being urged to stop its crackdown on the buy-to-let market, following evidence showing the negative effects of a string of tax changes. The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders’ Association (IMLA) said recent changes are forcing some landlords out of the private rented sector. It found that landlords with one buy-to-let property made up just … Continued

Fewer people should have to pay tax on gifts made to loved ones in the years before their death, according to the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS). Under the current rules, inheritance tax of up to 40% is paid when someone dies within seven years of making a gift. The OTS called on the Treasury … Continued

These are the suggested reimbursement rates for employees’ private mileage using their company car from 1 June 2019. Where there has been a change the previous rate is shown in brackets.   Engine Size Petrol Diesel LPG 1400cc or less 12p (11p)   8p (7p) 1600cc or less   10p   1401cc to 2000cc 15p … Continued

Businesses that flout their workplace pension duties face being subjected to random spot-checks by the Pensions Regulator. Employers that provide details to HMRC are having that data cross-referenced by the watchdog in an attempt to identify non-compliance with auto-enrolment. The checks are designed to identify businesses that are failing to enrol eligible staff into a … Continued

Most people making gifts of money or assets are unaware of inheritance tax rules that might apply to them. HMRC polled 2,090 people and found that only 25% of those who recently made a gift had a working knowledge of the rules. Less than half (45%) were aware of the rules or exemptions surrounding inheritance … Continued

The Government is facing calls to announce a stamp duty holiday for homeowners who seek to downsize. Saga polled 2,000 people over the age of 50 and found that 73% would support a tax break to help them move into a smaller property. Almost three-quarters (70%) said their motivation for downsizing was because their current … Continued

Most small business owners in the UK do not think the tax system treats their business fairly, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). In a survey of 1,000 firms, 58% of SME owners said they think the UK tax system is unfair, with different tax rules applying to different types of business. More … Continued

Changes to probate fees – due to take effect last month – have been delayed as Parliament wrangles to resolve the Brexit stalemate. Bereaved families currently pay a flat fee of up to £215 to obtain the grant of probate needed in England and Wales to administer estates worth more than £5,000. That system was … Continued

Most buy-to-let landlords saw their tax bills increase in 2017/18, suggesting the effects of changes to mortgage interest relief were beginning to be felt one year after they were introduced. In a survey by Paragon, 58% of landlords said their tax bill for 2017/18 was higher than a year before, with an average annual increase … Continued