Latest Private Client Tax

The UK government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative aims to modernise the tax system by requiring individuals and businesses to maintain digital records and submit regular updates to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Initially, MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) was set to apply to sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000 from April…

Employment Related Securities (‘ERS’) are securities that are acquired in connection with an employment. The ERS legislation aims to tax as employment income any value received by reason of an office or employment on the acquisition, holding or disposal of shares and other securities.   The term securities is broad and includes shares, debentures, loan…

With the Capital Gains Tax changes that were bought in during the Autumn Budget (30th October 2024) the government announced anti-forestalling measures to stop taxpayers pre-empting the increase in Capital Gains Tax by using unconditional contracts to use the previous lower rates of Capital Gains Tax.   These changes will cover all asset disposal types…

In an effort to simplify High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), HMRC will allow HICBC to be paid, via the tax code from 2025.  This means that employed individuals receiving Child Benefit will may no longer need to register for self assessment. Who Will This Benefit? Employed individuals earning over £60,000, who are in receipt…

Yesterday’s 2025 Spring Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, was much anticipated (or feared) by businesses and private clients alike. However, the  news from this is that there were no significant new tax announcements.   Click here to view the Whitings 2025 Spring Statement Summary.   Everything new for 25/26 and future…

From April 2026 the next stage of Making Tax Digital (MTD) roll-out, MTD for income tax self-assessment (ITSA), begins.   What will this mean for you: If your income from sole trader profits and rental income is over £50k then you will need to start completing quarterly returns to HMRC through software, as well as…

Celebrating (sic) its 20th anniversary, HMRC have just set out the Government’s vision for the future of the UK tax authority: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/exchequer-secretary-to-the-treasury-20-years-of-hmrc-reflections-and-looking-ahead   This keynote speech by James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, has given us advance warning of what specific modernisation and reform changes to the tax system that we might now…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued a warning to UK resident tax payers with over £3,500 in savings interest that they could face unexpected tax bills to 5th April.   HMRC are aware of interest received on savings accounts excluding ISA’s which are tax free and as such know who have exceeded their personal…

Are you aware of how the April NIC increases will effect Directors’ salaries?   From 6th April 2025, increases in Class 1 Employer’s National Insurance will come into effect, with the following changes: Employer’s NIC rate increasing from 13.8% to 15%. The secondary threshold, above which employer’s NIC are due, reducing from £9,100 to £5,000.…

If you can’t pay your Self Assessment tax bill that was due for payment on 31st January 2025 and need help, you should contact HMRC as soon as possible.   For Self Assessment, you may be able to set up a payment plan online. This will enable you to pay your Self Assessment tax bill in instalments without…