Latest Blogs in Business Tax
Peter Brown
13th January 2019 5 things you need to know about Making Tax Digital

  Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the hot topic this year. It’s one of the most fundamental changes to the UK tax system since the introduction of self-assessment. From April 2019, VAT registered businesses with a turnover of over £85,000 will be required to keep records using software approved by HMRC.  We have condensed the…

Jeannette Hume
11th December 2018 R&D tax credits explained

Research and development (R&D) tax credits are a valuable government tax relief that rewards UK companies for investing in innovation. Companies that spend money developing new products, processes or services; or enhancing existing ones, are eligible for a cash payment and/or Corporation Tax reduction. R&D tax credit rates are the equivalent of up to 33p…

Jeannette Hume
7th December 2018 Budget Changes Encourage Investment

A number of measures contained in October’s budget were designed to increase investment made by UK businesses and aimed at raising the UK’s international competitiveness. Farmers anticipating expenditure on new commercial buildings or a large outlay on machinery, may find Chancellor Hammond’s changes both interesting and useful.   Let’s look first at the Structures and…

Whitings LLP
19th November 2018 Xero Rapidly Becoming THE Small Business Platform

At Xerocon 2018, held Wednesday and Thursday last week, we heard how the number of Xero Subscribers has now reached over 1.6 Million Worldwide.   Xero’s focus on becoming THE Small Business Platform is greater than ever, with recent market research confirming how users of Xero really do save time, in some cases as much…

Whitings LLP
16th November 2018 Don’t dwell on your ATED obligations

With only just under 6 months until the 2019/2020 ATED return filing deadline of 30th April 2019. It may be an appropriate time to consider whether your limited company may be obliged to submit an ATED return. The annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) applies to companies which own an interest in a residential property…

Jaimie King
13th November 2018 Corporation tax rates set to fall

Following the Autumn Budget on 29th October 2018, it was confirmed that Corporation Tax rates will fall to 17% from 1st April 2020. Currently, the Corporation Tax rate is 19% and this will remain until the 17% rate comes into force. Presumably the reason for introducing lower rates is to make the UK more competitive,…

Jodie Pheby
12th November 2018 CGT Reliefs – Hit with Both Barrels!

A gain on sale of residential property is chargeable to capital gains tax (CGT) as follows: 18% to the extent that the gain falls within the basic rate band 28% thereafter An annual exemption is available if not utilised elsewhere (currently £11,700, rising to £12,000 in the 2019/20 tax year). Principal Private Residence Relief (PPR)…

Jaimie King
19th November 2018 Charities small trading tax exemption to increase

During the Autumn Budget on 29th October 2019, it was announced that the small trading tax exemption limits for Charities is set to increase.   The exemptions apply to Charities who trade outside of their primary purpose. A Charity will not pay tax on trading profits that are a part of the Charity’s primary purpose…

Richard Alecock
9th November 2018 HMRC letters to businesses affected by MTD for VAT

HMRC have started to send out their first wave of what they are calling “encouragement letters” to businesses within the scope of MTD for VAT. The letters are being sent to businesses which are currently eligible to join the pilot.  They are not being copied to the businesses’ agents. The first wave is 20,000 letters…

Whitings LLP
8th November 2018 New guidance for employers

HMRC has issued the October 2018 Employer Bulletin which contains a number of articles relevant to employers on payroll related issues. The articles cover a number of areas including: clarification of the rules regarding paying employees when the regular payday is a non-banking day dealing with PAYE Settlement Agreements and new procedures to accommodate Scottish…