News
Reminder to look out for tax credit renewal packs06/05/2021 - More...
HMRC has begun sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to some 2.5 million tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. The packs are being sent out over the next 6 weeks and should be with recipients by 4 June 2021. A renewal is required if the pack has a red line across the first page
Mobile phone exempt costs
06/05/2021 - More...
When an employee incurs costs for the provision of mobile phones to employees it is important to understand the correct tax treatment of these expenses. This includes costs for phones provided to employees and reimbursement of employee’s own phone costs. As a rule, the provision of one mobile phone to a director or employee for private
COVID support grants that are taxable
06/05/2021 - More...
We would like to remind readers that existing legislation is in place to ensure that COVID support grants are treated as taxable income in the same way as other taxable receipts. The grants are treated as income where the business is within the scope of either Income Tax or Corporation Tax. This treatment extends to the Self-Employment
CIS – types of work and businesses affected
06/05/2021 - More...
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a set of special rules for tax and National Insurance for those working in the construction industry. The CIS covers all construction work carried out in the UK, including jobs such as: site preparation alterations dismantling construction repairs decorating demolition Exceptions to
Impact of residence and domicile
06/05/2021 - More...
HMRC’s online guidance note for residence, domicile and the remittance basis: RDR1 is intended for UK residents and non-residents and covers the residence, domicile and remittance basis rules from 6 April 2013 and onwards. For most taxpayers, it will be clear whether they are resident in the UK. However, for taxpayers with complex
Cryptoassets for individuals - taxes that apply
06/05/2021 - More...
In most cases, individuals hold cryptoassets (such as Bitcoin) as a personal investment, usually for capital appreciation in its value or to make purchases. They will be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax when they dispose of their cryptoassets. This includes: selling tokens exchanging tokens for a different type of cryptoasset using
Debt respite scheme launched
05/05/2021 - More...
A new scheme, aptly named Breathing Space, was launched 4 May 2021. Breathing Space will give those facing financial difficulties space to receive debt advice, or mental health crisis treatment, without pressure from creditors or mounting debts. Under the scheme, people will be given legal protections from their creditors for 60 days,
Tax Diary May/June 2021
29/04/2021 - More...
1 May 2021 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 30 July 2020. 19 May 2021 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 May 2021. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 May 2021). 19 May 2021 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 May 2021. 19 May 2021 - CIS tax
End to COVID-19 adjusted right to work checks
29/04/2021 - More...
The government has confirmed, in its updated guidance on carrying out right to work checks during the coronavirus pandemic, that the temporary COVID-19 adjusted right to work check process will come to an end on 16 May 2021. This temporary process, in place since 30 March 2020, has allowed right to work checks to be carried out over video
New self-build initiative
29/04/2021 - More...
In a surprise weekend announcement, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has revealed new plans for £150 million of funding to make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes. The new “Help to Build” low deposit mortgage scheme will help self and custom home building become a realistic option to get
Tax on savings interest
29/04/2021 - More...
If you have taxable income of less than £17,570 in 2021-22 you will have no tax to pay on interest received. This figure is calculated by adding the £5,000 starting rate limit for savings (where 0% of the interest is taxable) to the current £12,570 personal allowance. However, it is important to note that if your total non-savings income
Tax-free capital gains
29/04/2021 - More...
As with Income Tax personal allowances, taxpayers have an annual exempt amount for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) which is forfeited if not used. The annual exemption for individuals in 2021-22 is £12,300. Whilst most taxpayers are aware of their annual tax-free allowance and the exemption for the qualifying sale of the family home there are
VAT – transfer as a going concern
29/04/2021 - More...
The transfer of a business as a going concern (TOGC) rules concern the VAT liability of the sale of a business. Normally the sale of the assets of a VAT registered or VAT registerable business will be subject to VAT at the appropriate rate. Where the sale of a business includes assets and meets certain conditions the sale will be
Restarting a dormant or non-trading company
29/04/2021 - More...
HMRC must be informed when a non-trading or dormant company starts trading again and becomes active for Corporation Tax. Companies can use HMRC Online Services to supply the relevant information. When a company has previously traded and then stops, it would normally be considered as dormant. A company can stay dormant indefinitely,
Changing the terms of a salary sacrifice arrangement
29/04/2021 - More...
A salary sacrifice arrangement is effectively an agreement to reduce an employee’s entitlement to cash pay, usually in return for a non-cash benefit. This can include items such as company cars, childcare vouchers and additional employer pension contributions. The tax and NIC advantages of certain benefits provided as part of a salary
The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
22/04/2021 - More...
One of the measures announced at the Budget was the introduction of a new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help home buyers purchase property. The scheme was officially made available from Monday, 19 April 2021. The new scheme is designed for prospective home buyers who only have a small deposit and are therefore unable to obtain mortgage
Recovery Loan Scheme
22/04/2021 - More...
The new Recovery Loan Scheme was launched on 6 April 2021. The new scheme allows businesses of any size to access loans and other kinds of finance between £25,000 and £10 million. The scheme will remain open until 31 December 2021 (subject to review). The scheme is intended to provide further support to businesses to help them recover
Keeping self-employed tax records
22/04/2021 - More...
If you are self-employed as a sole trader or as a partner in a business partnership, then you must keep suitable business records as well as separate personal records of your income. For tax purposes, the business records must be held for at least 5 years from the 31 January submission deadline for the relevant tax year. For example,
Treasury directive re fourth SEISS grant
22/04/2021 - More...
HM Treasury has published a further Treasury Direction made under the Coronavirus Act 2020, ss. 71 and 76, which modifies and extends the effect of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). The new Direction mainly deals with the expansion of the SEISS from 1 February 2021 to 30 April 2021, officially referred to as the SEISS
Correcting errors on VAT returns
22/04/2021 - More...
Where an error on a past VAT return is uncovered, businesses have a duty to correct the error as soon as possible. As a general rule, any necessary adjustment can be made on a current VAT return. However, in order to be able to do so, there are three important conditions that must be met: The error must be below the reporting