News
UK Infrastructure Bank set-up
19/05/2022
The UK Infrastructure Bank Bill, announced as part of the measures in the Queen’s speech, represents the final step in setting up the UK Infrastructure Bank as an operationally independent institution. The new Bank officially opened for business in
More...
Free company information
19/05/2022
There is a significant amount of information about companies that can be obtained from Companies House. Companies House is responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies, examining and storing company information and making company
More...
VAT – discounts and free gifts
19/05/2022
When you issue an invoice to your customer, you must ensure that you charge the correct rate of VAT. Whilst most businesses in the UK charge VAT at the standard rate of 20% there are a number of different VAT rates and exemptions that you should be
More...
Intrastat – trading goods with EU
19/05/2022
Intrastat declarations were historically used to collect information on the movement of goods from the UK to other EU countries and vice versa. Any business that exceeded the exemption threshold for either arrivals or dispatches of goods were obliged
More...
Corporation Tax – reminder HMRC contact details
19/05/2022
HMRC can be called by phone on 0300 200 3410 for help with general Corporation Tax enquiries. You will need your 10-digit Unique Tax Reference (UTR) when calling HMRC and this reference number cannot be provided over the phone.
The UTR is the
More...
Access to cash protection increased
18/05/2022
The new Financial Services and Markets Bill, announced as part of the Queen's speech, will provide increased protections for those still dealing with cash. Access to cash remains vital for many people across the UK, including the more vulnerable in
More...
Reminder to look out for tax credit renewal packs
12/05/2022
HMRC is currently sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to some 2.1 million tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. HMRC started writing to taxpayers at the end of April and expects all packs
More...
Holiday lets occupancy check
12/05/2022
The furnished holiday let (FHL) rules allow holiday lettings of properties that meet certain conditions to be treated as a trade for tax purposes.
In order to qualify as a furnished holiday letting, the following criteria need to be met:
The
More...
When you are required to register for PAYE
12/05/2022
There are a multitude of rules that new businesses must follow when they start employing staff for the first time. These include ensuring registering for PAYE as an employer with HMRC. This must be done before the first payday and this process must
More...
ISAs 2022-23
12/05/2022
The maximum amount that can be invested in an ISA in the current (2022-23) tax year is £20,000.
ISA’s are a valuable and flexible relief and should be considered as an option for most investors.
An ISA is a tax-exempt savings account available to
More...
Structures and Buildings Allowances
12/05/2022
The Structures and Buildings Allowances (SBA) allows for tax relief on qualifying capital expenditure on new non-residential structures and buildings. The relief applies to the qualifying costs of building and renovating commercial structures.
The
More...
Income excluded from a property business
12/05/2022
HMRC publishes a list of income streams that are excluded from a UK property business. The list includes fishing concerns, hotels and guest houses, tied premises, caravan sites, lodgers and tenants in your own home, extra services to tenants and
More...
Mortgage interest on rented property
05/05/2022
Under new rules that came into effect from April 2017 the tax relief on mortgage costs for residential landlords was restricted to the basic rate of tax. The finance costs restriction was phased in over a number of years and is now fully in place
More...
Builders – when you may not have to charge VAT
05/05/2022
VAT for most work on houses and flats by builders and similar trades, like plumbers, plasterers and carpenters, is charged at the standard rate of 20%. However, there are a number of exceptions where special VAT rules apply and a reduced or zero rate
More...
Tax benefits of switching to electric cars
05/05/2022
There are many benefits to encourage the use of electric cars including lower running costs, the environmental advantages and reduced noise pollution. There are also tax benefits to encourage the purchase of electric cars.
We have listed some of
More...
Writing off a director’s loan
05/05/2022
An overdrawn director's loan account is created when a director (or other close family member) 'borrows' money from their company. Many companies, particularly 'close' private companies, pay for personal expenses of directors using company funds.
More...
Exchange of joint interests
05/05/2022
HMRC’s internal manuals consider the reliefs available where there is an exchange of joint interests in land.
The manuals state that:
The exchange of interests in land which are jointly owned by two or more persons constitutes a disposal by each
More...
IHT business asset relief
05/05/2022
There are a number of reliefs available that can reduce liability to IHT if you inherit the estate of someone who had died. One of these reliefs is known as Business Relief and is a valuable tax relief for taxpayers with business interests, offering
More...