Latest blogs for Specialisms

  HMRC’s latest attempt to stamp out tax fraud has turned their attention to the construction industry and, more specifically, VAT within the construction industry.  HMRC state they have identified “a significant risk to the Exchequer” as a result of missing trader fraud.  Missing trader fraud occurs where fraudsters take over or create shell companies…

The expected consultation period to roll out “off-payroll working rules” to the private sector has begun. HMRC propose that, from April 2020, medium and large sized private sector end-clients will be responsible for deciding if workers fees will be subject to PAYE and national insurance.   The consultation document advises HMRC will seek to address…

In 2016, new legislation came into force which meant that councils now have a duty to grant planning permission to appropriate serviced plots as part of the ‘Right to Build’ entitlement. This was part of the government’s solution to tackling housing shortages across the country – the objective was to double the value of the…

Britain’s withdrawal from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) means British farmers will no longer be able to receive EU subsidies and will not have to comply with a number of regulations. Agriculture is a small sector in the UK economy, contributing less than 1% to GDP and employing around 1.2% of the workforce. But…

HMRC is urging VAT-registered UK businesses which trade exclusively with the EU to be prepared for a no deal Brexit.   In a letter sent to 145,000 affected businesses, HMRC explains changes to Customs, Excise and VAT procedures in the ‘unlikely event’ that the UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal.   HMRC’s letter…

HMRC are not known for being ahead of the curve, so trying to find official guidance on how exchange gains from selling bitcoin, and other crypto currencies, is expected to be self-assessed and taxed, was always going to be ‘problematic’. At the time of first researching this, the latest HMRC guidance was published in 3…

  Borrowing to build Self-builders require more money up front than conventional homebuyers. This is because they have to buy their building plots and fund their planning applications before they can apply for any loans. Self-build mortgages tend to be interest-only as fixed-rate loans have substantial exit fees for those who change loans when the…

  If you are looking to start up a business, it is likely to be home based, at least in the early days.  Figures suggest that over 60% of businesses start in this way and that there are 2.9m businesses in the UK operating from home. This blog looks at some of the common questions…

Research and development (R&D) tax credits are a valuable government tax relief that rewards UK companies for investing in innovation. Companies that spend money developing new products, processes or services; or enhancing existing ones, are eligible for a cash payment and/or Corporation Tax reduction. R&D tax credit rates are the equivalent of up to 33p…

A number of measures contained in October’s budget were designed to increase investment made by UK businesses and aimed at raising the UK’s international competitiveness. Farmers anticipating expenditure on new commercial buildings or a large outlay on machinery, may find Chancellor Hammond’s changes both interesting and useful.   Let’s look first at the Structures and…