Latest blogs for Specialisms

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…

A PAYE Settlement agreement allows employers to make one annual payment to cover the tax and National Insurance liability on minor, irregular or impracticable expenses for any employees. HMRC have now changed the process for PSAs and, instead of applying for a new PSA annually, from 2018-19 employers will have an enduring agreement and therefore…

The property allowance was introduced on 5 April 2017, allowing a flat rate deduction of £1,000 to be claimed against property income, in lieu of keeping detailed records of expenses. This however, raises the question as to whether individuals renting out a joint property are required to make the same claim as one another. In…