Minimum wage rates will see substantial increases from 1 April 2024 – welcome news for younger workers and apprentices, but not so much for those employers struggling in the current economic climate. Eligibility for the National Living Wage is to be extended by reducing the age threshold so that 21 and 22-year-olds are included. Current […]
From 2024/25, restrictions to the cash basis will be removed, making it the default method for calculating trading profit for the self-employed and most partnerships. The accruals basis is currently the default, with a business having to opt in to use the cash basis. In future, a business will need to opt out of the […]
The two existing research and development (R&D) tax relief schemes are set to merge, although the newly created scheme will be similar to the R&D expenditure credit currently claimed mainly by large companies. Although the merger will remove the complexities when companies move between schemes, there will invariably be some who significantly lose out as […]
National insurance contribution (NIC) changes for the self-employed announced in the Autumn Statement come in from 6 April 2024 and will be welcome news. But the reforms don’t go far enough to offset the continuing cost of frozen tax thresholds. NICs classes The self-employed currently pay two classes of NICs: Class 2 NICs are at […]
The number of trusts filing self-assessment tax returns for 2021/22 was 37% lower than for 2003/04. The decline comes as no real surprise given the eroding advantages of using a trust and the recent requirement to register trusts with HMRC. Interest in possession trusts Interest in possession trusts have seen the sharpest decline since 2003/04, […]
HMRC has updated its guidance to clarify that there is no taxable benefit when an employer reimburses employees who charge their electric company cars at home. Previously, HMRC maintained that the relevant exemption did not apply. There is a general rule that no income tax liability arises where an employee is reimbursed for expenses incurred […]
HMRC is moving ahead with its ‘digital by default’ ambition by pushing VAT registration to online only. Any business unable to use the online registration service will have to call HMRC’s VAT helpline to obtain a paper registration form. According to HMRC, more than 95% of businesses already register online, but there are some circumstances […]
The 31 January 2024 deadline for submitting a 2022/23 self-assessment tax return is not far off, especially for those not yet registered. Anyone who has not previously registered for self-assessment – but needs to submit a tax return for 2022-23 – should do so as soon as possible. A self-assessment activation code can take a […]
In July, the government was reported as holding talks on abolishing inheritance tax (IHT). This wasn’t given much credence at the time, but there are now reports that the March 2024 Budget will include a reduction to the 40% IHT rate as a prelude to future abolishment. IHT is charged at the rate of 40% […]
New HMRC statistics have shed some light on how many companies are affected by the recent hike in corporation tax rates. Just over 1.5 million companies paid corporation tax for the financial year to 31 March 2022, but only 7% fell above the £50,000 small profits threshold. Although fewer than 100,000 companies are likely to […]