Latest Business Tax

  The current system for processing customs declarations for imports and exports with non-EU countries is changing. The current CHIEF system is to be replaced with the new CDS (Customs Declaration Service) to be phased in from August 2018 into early 2019.   The old system is nearly 25 years old and has become inflexible…

  A 5% penalty will be imposed for those who have not paid their 2016/17 Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Class 4 National Insurance Contributions by Friday 2nd March. The due date for payments was 31st January 2018, however the penalty can be avoided if a time to pay arrangement is agreed in advance.…

  BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd has lost a high profile test case with HMRC over whether or not IR35 legislation applied to her contract. The main terms of this contract, between her personal service company and the BBC, were: 7 year contract Providing tv presenting services for 225 days pa   The First…

  For many years now, businesses, particularly builders, have provided their staff with twin cab pick-ups, instead of cars, to take advantage of the more generous tax regime. Such vehicles have previously been taxed as a van, resulting in more favourable capital allowances, VAT, NIC and benefit in kind treatments. The distinction between a car…

  HMRC has updated the postal address for where to send grounds for appeal if you have not paid your PAYE and National Insurance contributions on time. The address that should now be used is: DM PAYE Late Payment Penalties HM Revenue  and Customs BX9 1EW HMRC will charge penalties if more than one of…

  Charities with the financial year end of 31 March 2017 must submit their annual return by 31 January 2018, 10 months after the year end. What you need to submit varies based on whether it is an un-incorporated organisation or a charitable company. It also varies based on income of the charity – requiring…

  With numerous businesses currently being forced to sell property under compulsory purchase orders (COP’s), a little known tax rule may be of assistance in enabling you to diversify your investment in your trade into a buy-let-investment without incurring any tax: HMRC guidance HS292 Business asset rollover relief is a long established rule which allows…

Some employers like to give their employees a small gift at this time of year. A tax exemption applies giving employers reassurance that the benefits provided are exempt and won’t result in a reportable employee benefit. To ensure the benefit is exempt, the following conditions must be met:- The cost of the benefit does not…

SDLT for First time buyers – The government has introduced a new relief from SDLT for first-time buyers (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) for all transactions with an effective date on or after 22 November 2017. The relief works as follows: £300,000 or less: no SDLT payable £300,001 and £500,000: no SDLT on the…

As we predicted in past blogs, the Chancellor announced a consultation into IR35 private sector contractors in the Autumn Budget. Since April 2017, contractors in the public sector are no longer responsible for evaluating their IR35 status; the end client is required to carry out an IR35 assessment instead. The Treasury believe this has increased…