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April 2020 Proposed IR35 changes: Status appeals process

As the planned changes to who determines IR35 status are fast approaching, contractors would be well advised to review their contracts on HMRC’s updated CEST (Check Employment Status for Tax) tool. Having provided answers to questions regarding substitution, control and nature of the work, the updated tool will give HMRC’s view of the workers employment…

mm Jeannette Hume
VAT Surcharge

Have you or your business received one between 23 April 2018 and 31 January 2019?   If so, you may want to check if it has been dated. If it has not been dated you may be in for a refund. Any surcharge liability notice or surcharge liability notice extensions are invalid if they have…

Ben Kilby
2019 Growth: Missing in action?

(Data Source) As another year draws to a close, local SME businesses will be forgiven for looking forward to drawing a line under it. With 2019 sales growth barely nudging 1%, it has been a year of focusing on not slipping backwards, rather than the usual mantra of continually signing up new accounts.  When commentators…

Finance charges for landlords – The knock on effects

  Since 6 April 2017, changes are being gradually introduced to restrict the relief available to landlords in respect of their finance costs. Under the old rules, the interest element of the mortgage payments was 100% allowable for income tax purposes. However, this is gradually being replaced with a 20% tax reducer instead. The timetable…

mm Jeannette Hume
Brexit halts Budget

With all the uncertainty over Brexit, we waited a long time to learn the date of Sajid Javid’s first Budget.   Finally we learnt this was to take place on 6th November, amid great excitement at muted suggestions about the possible abolition of Inheritance Tax and radical changes to stamp duty.   The bubble has…

mm Jeannette Hume
Off-Payroll Worker Tax Rules: Be prepared!

Knowledge based contractors working in the private sector will hopefully now be well aware that, subject to any possible Government last minute change of heart, new tax rules are coming next April. For many, who are not currently following IR35 rules, this will mean a large increase in the tax they pay; perhaps tens of…

mm Jeannette Hume
R&D Tax Claims: HMRC finally go-digital.

In February 2019 HMRC introduced an online tool to submit Research & Development tax relief claims (both SME and RDEC claims). It is still necessary to make the claim on a company tax return (form CT600), but the accompanying detailed R&D project information can (but does not have to) now be submitted by completion of…

Sale of Lettings Agency

Whitings, The Corporate Finance Network’s representative firm in Suffolk has advised a well-established lettings agent on its sale to a national group.   The Whitings Corporate Finance team were approached by their client when they decided to explore opportunities to sell their agency. The team, led by Corporate Finance Partner, Chris Kelly, started the process…

mm Jeannette Hume
New Off-Payroll Working Tax Rules: Y/N?

Readers, particularly knowledge based contractors working through their own personal service companies, will hopefully now be familiar with the new ‘off-payroll working’ tax rules being introduced in the private sector on 1 April 2020. These are being introduced as part of the Government’s general strategy over recent years to eliminate tax avoidance, tax evasion, and…

“Get ready for Brexit” workshops

  The Department for International Trade is hosting “Get ready for Brexit” workshops across the East region, each running from 11:30 – 13:30 followed by a networking lunch.   Please see the link below for dates and venues.   http://x.email.ukti.gov.uk/ats/msg.aspx?sg1=6a523609b267f7129747b384f8f21e3e

mm Ben Beech