The Scottish Government has decided to freeze all income tax rates, plus the higher and top-rate thresholds, for 2020/21. Assuming the personal allowance remains at £12,500, only the basic and intermediate thresholds in Scotland are set to rise in line with inflation. A starter-rate of 19% will apply on earnings between £12,501 and £14,585, while … Continued
Report spares taxpayers from last month’s loan charge deadline
An eagerly anticipated report into the controversial loan charge has provided respite for thousands of people. The Government revealed a string of concessions to lessen the severity of the policy, which seriously distressed those affected. Up to 50,000 people were paid through so-called disguised remuneration schemes dating back to 1999. Prior to the publication of … Continued
Budget Day is now 11 March 2020
The December General Election meant that the Autumn Budget was delayed and we now know that Sajid Javed will deliver his first Budget on the second Wednesday in March which is when Budget day used to be! We are expecting that the tax measures in the Conservative Party manifesto will be announced again together with … Continued
Budget Set to Take Place in February Once Brexit is Resolved
The new government intends to announce the 2020/21 tax rates, bands and allowances in a full Budget next month. Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a handsome majority on 12 December 2019, and swiftly returned Sajid Javid to the position of Chancellor. Javid was poised to deliver his first Budget speech in November 2019, only for … Continued
Complex Taper Rules Could Lead to ‘Huge’ Tax Bills for High Earners
High earners could face large tax bills if they fail to declare pension contributions on their 2018/19 tax returns, according to a report. When completing self-assessment, taxpayers are asked if they have put any money into a pension scheme above the annual pensions allowance. For most people, this allowance is £40,000 – but for every … Continued
Advisory Fuel rate for Company Cars from 1 December 2019
These are the suggested reimbursement rates for employees’ private mileage using their company car from 1 December 2019. Where there has been a change the previous rate is shown in brackets. Engine Size Petrol Diesel LPG 1400cc or less 12p 8p 1600cc or less 9p (10p) 1401cc to 2000cc 14p 9p … Continued
Delay to Controversial Loan Charge Review Leaves Thousands in Limbo
A report into the loan charge may not be published until after the deadline for settling claims with HMRC has passed. Up to 50,000 people whose employers had paid them through loans from offshore trusts dating back to 1999 were warned they could face huge tax bills. They were issued with a 5 April 2019 … Continued
Postpone off-Payroll Extension to the Private Sector Until 2021
Extending off-payroll rules to the private sector in April 2020 should be delayed by a year, a tax group has said. Chancellor Sajid Javid intended to deliver his first Budget speech on Wednesday 6 November, only for it to be scrapped after a second Brexit extension was granted. In light of that and the subsequent … Continued
Ministry of Justice Finally Abandons Plans to Increase Probate Fees
Plans to increase probate fees that were due to take effect earlier this year have been abandoned. 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 due to be replaced on 1 April … Continued
Treasury to Review Tapered Annual Allowance as Dispute Rumbles on
The Treasury has announced it will review the tapered annual allowance for pensions, following calls to abolish it. The amount of pension contributions that can be made tax-free in 2019/20 stands at £40,000 in most cases, but this is restricted for higher earners by the tapered annual allowance. The taper applies to people with a … Continued