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The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has been asked by HMRC to share the message below about the recent pausing of Research & Development Tax Credit (RDTC) payments with their members.   Message from HMRC: “We previously notified agents that we have paused some Research & Development Tax Credit (RDTC) payments while we investigate an increase…

  If your business was adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, then you may wish to consider whether your insurance covered you for business interruption – as you could be due an insurance pay-out in relation to your loss of earnings. When calculating your loss of earnings, there are a number of factors that you…

With the rising cost of living, it has never been more important to ensure you are paying the correct amount of tax through your PAYE tax code. It is important to understand your tax code, any changes to this and why your tax code on your payslip is what it is. There are many reasons…

In April 2022 we saw Employee’s National Insurance Contributions increase by 1.25% from 12% to 13.25%, as part of the Governments Health and Social Care levy. Employer’s National insurance also increased from 13.8% to 15%. From April 2023, the health and social care levy will be paid separately to National Insurance and become a tax…

We are seeing more and more cases of individuals missing out on claiming higher rate tax relief on their employee pension contributions especially where they are not in self-assessment and required to file tax returns.   Where employers have enrolled their staff to make employees pension contributions via a ‘relief at source’ scheme, the contributions…

A new penalty regime came into effect for VAT periods starting on or after 1 January 2023. The changes will impact the charges for missing VAT filing and payment deadlines and will be replacing the current VAT default surcharge system. These changes place continued importance on being up to date with your VAT returns, aware…

HMRC Changes to the National Insurance contributions for 2022-2023 tax year, are you confused? Due to the COVID-19 strain on the NHS, the government announced that they would be increasing the National Insurance contributions by 1.25% as a means to increase spending on health and social care. The Health and Social Care Levy was applied…

Time is running out for taxpayers to settle any second payment-on-account for the 2021/22 tax year. The payment is due by 31 July, where one is payable. The amount payable is the second payment-on-account for the 2021/22 tax year and is automatically calculated as half of the total tax liability for the previous tax year,…

We work hard to improve our lot and most of us hope that our loved ones will reap some benefit from our endeavours. But assuming that we don’t manage to spend all the fruits of our labours, the taxman is lurking. And he will take a sizeable chunk if we don’t plan sensibly.   The…

Back in March 2022, DEFRA quietly published new regulation affecting users of plant protection products (PPPs). All businesses, organisations or sole traders that use professional PPPs (sprays to you and I) need to register to comply with the new regulations by 22nd June 2022. This applies to all farmers, contractors, estates, landlords who use contractors,…