Latest Topical Tax Planning Ideas

Has the Inheritance Tax Trap caught you out?   Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts continue to rise. There may be some who have unnecessarily overpaid due to life insurance not being in a Trust. According to NFU Mutual, 6,810 estates that paid IHT in 2021/22 included life insurance policies which could be exempt from the charge…

Have you considered trusts when it comes to tax planning and asset protection?   The Purpose of Trusts Whilst trusts were created during the 12th century to protect the assets and interests of the nobility, these days their use is no longer restricted to higher society. Today, trusts serve the same purposes as they did…

From 6th April 2024 HMRC want to encourage more of the self employed to use the cash basis when completing their accounts and self-assessment tax returns.   The new cash basis from 6th April 2024 will mean: The cash basis will be the default, with an opt-out for those wishing to use the accruals basis.…

It’s the question which many start ups ask themselves, ‘Should I be a Sole Trader or a Limited Company?’   It’s something that we here at Whitings are more than happy to advise on and help you with. So whether this is your first business venture or you’ve had businesses before, it’s always helpful to…

With the reduction in employees National Insurance (NI) through the Autumn Statement, to 10% and the drop in the dividend allowance to only £500 from April 2024. Alongside the previously announced rise in Corporation Tax rates. The question directors will ask again is, am I better paying myself a higher salary rather than dividends?  …

From 1 April 2023 the rules changed so that the rate of corporation tax that a company pays, and when, is dependent on the level of its profits as well as the number of its associated companies.     Rate Of Corporation Tax Standalone companies from 1 April 2023 with profits exceeding £250,000 will be…

Businesses and their staff will be looking forward to their annual Christmas party in the upcoming festive months. Providing all of the following criteria are met, the annual event becomes free of PAYE tax and National Insurance contributions for the employee, and is treated as a non-taxable benefit in kind:   The party or similar…

HMRC has amended guidance on the tax treatment of electric charging of company cars and vans at residential properties.   Many business owners will have purchased an electric car or van, owned within a company, over the last few years, attracted by the generous business and personal tax treatments. Where this Electric Vehicle (EV) has…

The ‘gifts out of surplus income’ exemption is a powerful, yet often forgotten about, Inheritance Tax (IHT) exemption. As the name suggests lifetime gifts made from surplus income are immediately exempt from IHT, provided that certain conditions are met.   To qualify for this valuable relief, the following conditions need to be satisfied: The gifts…

As today is GCSE results day, parents whose child is staying in education or training have only until 31 August to re-register with HMRC if they wish to continue receiving child benefit. Such re-registration will continue entitlement to receive this benefit until the child reaches 18.   If relevant to you, you should have already…