The government has published Finance Bill 2017-19, containing a number of changes that will affect both savers and investors. Many of the measures in the Bill were expected in April 2017 but were withdrawn due to the snap general election, which took place on 8 June 2017. Most of them have now been reinstated with … Continued
Paper Tax Return Deadline Reminder
The deadline to submit your self-assessment paper tax return for the 2016/17 tax year is 31 October 2017. All income received during the tax year running from 6 April to 5 April must be accounted for in your tax return. To report your income, claim tax reliefs or any outstanding repayments, you need to complete … Continued
High value dealers need to register for cash payments
Businesses accepting cash payments of €10,000 or more in exchange for goods are required to register with HMRC under money laundering regulations (MLR). Recent changes to regulations mean that companies accepting cash payments on or above the threshold limit (or equivalent in sterling) will be classed as high value dealers. Transactions that are considered high … Continued
Sick pay valued over other benefits
Self-employed people would prefer to receive sick pay than any other statutory benefit, a study has found. FreeAgent and The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) polled 900 micro-business owners and found 76% do not currently offer sick pay and other benefits such as maternity leave, holiday or redundancy pay. Attitudes towards statutory benefits varied … Continued
Second payment on account deadline reminder
The second annual deadline to submit advance payments towards your self-assessed tax bill for the previous year is due on 31 July 2017. ‘Payments on account’ take place every six months – on 31 January and 31 July – and include class 4 national insurance contributions if you’re self-employed. Each payment is half your previous … Continued
HMRC urged to extend executors’ inheritance tax deadline
Royal London is calling on HMRC to change inheritance tax (IHT) rules on larger estates to allow executors more time to pay complex tax bills. Under current rules, the executor of a will can manage a person’s estate following their death by applying for a ‘grant of representation’ – otherwise known as probate. The process … Continued
Company car advisory fuel rates from 1 June 2017
HMRC has published revised advisory fuel rates for company cars, applying from 1 June 2017. The rates are to be used only where employers either reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars, or require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel. These rates apply from 1 June 2017. You can use … Continued
HMRC computer isn’t always correct
HM Revenue and Customs have acknowledged that their software and some commercial software used by accountants doesn’t always come up with the right amount of tax payable! You may have seen this reported in some newspapers such as the Daily Telegraph. This arises because the tax system of different income tax personal allowances, dividend allowances, … Continued
Tell HMRC about shares and options in your company by 6 July 2017
It is time to file your employment related securities (ERS) tax return with HMRC. The deadline is 6 July 2017. What to report? All employers have to file annual tax returns reporting grants, lapses, exercises and awards of shares or share options during the tax year 6 April 2016 to 5 April 2017 (the tax … Continued
Trading down Pension entitlement and Review of Pension Pots
As most people these days change jobs during their lifetime it is also common for people to build up a collection of different pension pots, making it difficult to keep track. A study by Aegon found that, of the 62% of people who have multiple pensions, more than a fifth (21%) have lost track of … Continued