Latest Blogs

12th September 2022 Property renovations: Potential VAT trap

VAT can be something of a minefield when it comes to construction, with the VAT rate depending on the specific circumstances. The applicable rate of VAT will vary depending on the project undertaken and should be considered from the outset to avoid potentially costly errors. The first sale of a newly built residential property will…

mm Scott Bishop
8th September 2022 Bounce back loans: Managing repayments

During Covid-19 many businesses took out a government backed Bounce Back Loan (BBL) to financially support with funds up to £50,000.   Repayments have now begun, and businesses are using a range of options to manage this going forwards. Many businesses continue to struggle through the aftermath of Covid-19 and challenging economic times. The options…

mm Jaimie King
2nd September 2022 What is CIS?

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) was first introduced in 1971 (named the Construction Industry Tax Deduction Scheme) in order to combat tax evasion in the construction industry. This is done by contractors deducting money from a subcontractor’s payments and passing it onto HM Revenue and Customs on their behalf. The deductions are then considered as…

mm Whitings LLP
1st September 2022 How much money will you need in retirement?

In working out what income you will need in retirement, there are many factors to take into consideration. You are not only having to look ahead 20, 30, maybe 40 years into the future, you are also having to look at your outgoings in the here and now and having to work out what you…

mm Adrian Mackenzie
26th August 2022 MTD: Old VAT portal closes on 1-Nov-22

VAT registered businesses with turnover exceeding £85k have been required to keep digital records and file VAT returns through making tax digital (MTD) compatible software for more than three years. All remaining VAT registered business have been moving across to this system since 1 April 2022.   HMRC have now announced the old VAT portal…

mm Whitings LLP
25th August 2022 Electric cars: The tax breaks

For around the last 20 years or so, the tax treatment of company cars has continually become less attractive. The value of the benefits in kind, taxable on the employee, has increased quicker than inflation, and the capital allowance tax deduction, for the business, has become more and more diluted. As part of its plans…

mm Ian Piper
21st August 2022 Revisit your remuneration?

For many SME owner-managed businesses, the tax optimum director remuneration structure for many years has been one of a low salary accompanied by high dividends. This allows Companies to take advantage of low dividend tax rates and, in many cases, no employers national insurance to be paid by the company (if paid at the Secondary…

mm Ellen Carter
18th August 2022 Student loan repayments: Interest rates to rise

  Due to Bank of England increasing interest rates, the Department for Education (DfE), in conjunction with the Student Loans Company, have confirmed changes to interest rates & repayment thresholds.   Plan 1 Type Student Loan (those who started study before 1-Sep-12)   From 1 Sept 22 the interest rate will increase from 1.5% to…

mm Steven Denton
10th August 2022 Seeing double: New recovery loan scheme begins

While one government-backed Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) ends, another opens.   The previous RLS closed on 30th June 2022, but to follow this the government have introduced a new RLS scheme to support businesses through the out-turn of the pandemic, expected to be accessible after 1st August 2022.   The New Recovery Loan Scheme Government…

mm Jaimie King
10th August 2022 Annual allowance for NHS pensions

What is the annual allowance? The annual allowance for the 2022/23 tax year is £40,000 and each year this is compared with your pension input amounts. Your pension input is defined as the increase or growth in the capital value of your NHS pension benefits across all pension schemes. Any growth in excess of the…

mm Charlie Whittle