Latest blogs for Specialisms

Brexit strikes again!  It appears that dreaded “B” word is not only good for grabbing headlines but also for causing H M Revenue & Customs a fair number of headaches.  Brexit has been blamed by the Revenue for everything from extended hold times on their phone lines to the delay in implementing their Making Tax…

HM Revenue & Customs have updated their Gift Aid for charities guidance.   In particular, the tables under sections titled The Benefit Rule, Charity Auctions and Educational School trips have been updated the latter of which will be of interest to charities involved in the running of schools and Educational Trusts.   The updated guidance…

The deadline to register for self-assessment, to enable you to complete a 2018/19 tax return, is 5 October 2019. You may be required to complete a tax return for a number of reasons, some examples are outlined below: You have a sole trade and earn more than £1,000 You are a partner in a business…

Confused by the new CIS reverse charge VAT rules that come into effect from 1 October 2019, then HMRC have issued further guidance at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-domestic-reverse-charge-for-building-and-construction-services#overview.   The basics are as from 1 October 2019 if you are a VAT registered subcontractor working for a contractor you will no longer be paid for the VAT element…

As we edge ever closer to what looks more and more likely to be a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, SME business owners should now be readying their businesses.   There is clearly no certainty over quite how affected we shall all be by Brexit. However, there are sensible risk management mitigation steps that business owners may wish…

Whether unincorporated, a charitable company or a CIO (charitable incorporated organisation), charities are required to have certain levels of assurance over their financial statements depending on their size. The limits are much smaller than companies, meaning that many charities require some sort of external scrutiny. The requirements by size are as follows: Income up to…

From 6 April 2020 the Government is making some significant changes to the rules regarding the reporting and payment of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when individuals, trustees and personal representatives dispose of residential property and it is important to be aware of these.   Currently such a disposal would be reportable on your tax return…

  Lettings Relief and Principal Private Residence Relief   Following my previous blog regarding the changes announced to the Principal Private Residence Relief (PPR) and lettings relief rules, the consultation period ended on 1 June 2019. You can view the consultation responses here.   HMRC have now published a policy paper on 11 July 2019,…

This week HMRC have published draft legislation that will affect private sector personal services companies (PSCs)  from 6 April 2020. PSC’s supplying services to medium or large-sized organisations will no longer decide if they are employed or self-employed, the end engager will assess this. If caught by these rules, known as IR35, employment taxes and…

The government has provided positive news for Company car drivers announcing that a pure electric vehicle (EV) will no longer pay benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax in 2020/21 following a review which looks set to boost sales of emissions-free cars. HM Treasury’s response to its review of the fallout from the roll-out of the Worldwide Harmonised Light…