Temporary measures that have given a huge boost to high streets and hospitality during the pandemic could be made permanent following a public consultation launched in September 2021. From marquees being put up in pub grounds, to street markets operating all year round, permitted development rights that have allowed people to enjoy al
More...The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday, 27 October 2021. This will be the Chancellor’s third Budget and the first one to revert back to the Autumn Budget schedule that was interrupted first by Brexit related issues and then by the coronavirus pandemic. It means that
More...The government has confirmed that its triple-lock guarantee on pensions is to be abandoned for one year. The guarantee was first introduced in 2010 and has remained in place until now. This guarantee has seen the full yearly State Pension increase by over £2,050 in this period. The triple-lock is the mechanism used to calculate increases
More...The government has announced new plans to cap social care costs in England from October 2023. This change is expected to see the introduction of a new £86,000 cap on care costs across an individual’s lifetime. There will also be the following measures of financial assistance for those without substantial assets: Anyone with less than
More...HMRC has, for many years, accepted that associate dentists are generally treated as self-employed. These agreements have been approved by the British Dental Association (BDA) and the Dental Practitioners Association (DPA) and are quoted in HMRC’s manuals. HMRC’s manuals state that ‘these agreements relate to dentists practising as
More...It is important to bear in mind that the 1.25% increase in National Insurance contributions (NICs) for 2022-23 will apply to National Insurance Class 1 and Class 4 contributions from April 2022. This means that the increase will apply to Class 1 (employee and employer), Class 1A and 1B and Class 4 (self-employed) NICs. Those above State
More...There are a number of reasons why a taxpayer needs to complete a Self-Assessment return. This includes if they are self-employed, a company director, have an annual income over £100,000 and / or have income from savings, investment or property. Taxpayers that need to complete a Self-Assessment return for the first time should inform HMRC
More...The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirmed in February 2021 that enforcement action against employers for failing to report their gender pay gap data for the last reporting year (2020/21) would be suspended for six months and so would not begin until 5 October 2021. This additional six-month period is almost at an end and
More...HMRC’s Personal tax accounts (PTAs) were launched in 2015. The service works as an online resource to allow taxpayers to review and update their details in real time. For many routine requests and services using the PTA can help you avoid having to phone or write to HMRC. Every individual in the UK that pays tax has a PTA, but taxpayers
More...If you think that you have paid too much tax to HMRC you can usually claim back any overpaid tax. The exact method for making a claim depends on a number of factors including whether or not you complete a Self-Assessment return and the length of time that has passed since the tax was overpaid. Claims can usually be backdated for up to
More...Taxpayers entitled to the child benefit should be aware that HMRC usually stop paying child benefit on the 31 August on or after a child’s 16th Birthday. Under qualifying circumstances, the child benefit can continue until a child reaches their 20th birthday. A qualifying young person is someone aged 16,17, 18 or 19 in full time
More...There are special VAT rules that allow businesses to standard rate the supply of most non-residential and commercial land and buildings (known as the option to tax). This means that subsequent supplies by the person making the option to tax will be subject to VAT at the standard rate. HMRC had temporarily changed the time limit from 30
More...As children have returned to school, HMRC is reminding parents that they may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) to help pay for breakfast and after school clubs. The TFC scheme can help parents of children aged up to 11 years old (17 for those with certain disabilities). The TFC scheme helps support working families with their
More...The Prime Minister announced increases in National Insurance Contributions (NIC) of 1.25% from April 2022, to contribute to increases in the NHS and social care budgets. The increases will apply to: Class 1 contributions (paid by employees). This is the NIC that is deducted from your earnings by your employer. Class 4 (paid by
More...The 1,25% increase in NIC contributions from April 2022 will be mirrored by a similar increase in the tax charge on dividends. From April 2022, the dividend tax increases will apply as follows: Basic rate taxpayers will see an increase from the present 7.5% to 8.75%. Higher rate taxpayers will see an increase from 32.5% to
More...Gift Hold-Over Relief is effectively a deferral of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when assets are given away (including certain shares) or sold for less than they are worth to help benefit the buyer. The relief means that any gain on the asset is 'Held-Over' until the recipient of the gift sells or disposes of them. This is done by reducing the
More...If you are a higher rate or additional rate taxpayer, you are eligible to claim relief on the difference between the basic rate and your highest rate of tax. The charity you donate to can reclaim the basic rate of tax from donations made by taxpayers. For example: If you donated £5,000 to charity, the total value of the donation to the
More...There are a number of options open to taxpayers who disagree with a tax decision issued by HMRC. It is important to note that not all decisions by HMRC can be appealed against. There is normally a 30-day deadline for making a claim, so time is of the essence. If you or your business have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, the
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