It’s early days yet, but some pointers on tax have emerged from both the main parties. Within one week of the surprise firing of the general election starting gun, both the Conservatives and Labour have been promoting their tax plans. We can expect more to emerge in the coming weeks and in the manifestos, which […]
New research has put some surprising numbers on the income needed in retirement. Each year since 2019, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has set about answering the question of how much retirement costs for couples and single retirees. It considers three different Retirement Living Standards, which are summarised as: Minimum: covers all your […]
The fees associated with incorporating and maintaining a company will rise from 1 May 2024, due to an increase in charges from Companies House. Companies House has explained that fees are set on a cost recovery basis – meaning that the increases are intended to solely cover the cost of the services they deliver without […]
There’s no respite for HMRC with inheritance tax (IHT) accounts, undeclared dividend income and gains from share disposals to scrutinise. HMRC is currently busy with several ongoing checks. They are looking at IHT accounts, targeting undeclared dividend income, and making sure any gains from share disposals have been correctly declared. Inheritance tax accounts The complexities […]
The introduction of a £500 income exemption from 6 April 2024 will impact many trusts. It comes with various complications, especially as income within the £500 exemption will still be taxable in the hands of beneficiaries. The exemption is on an all-or-nothing basis. A trust with an income of £501 will find the whole amount […]
What was almost certainly the last Budget before the election was a serving of the widely expected, sprinkled with a handful of small surprises. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered the Spring Budget 2024 on 6 March. As anticipated, it was a typical pre-election event focused on tax relief measures – including further […]
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS The main rate of class 1 employee national insurance contributions (NICs) will be cut from 10% to 8% with effect from 6 April 2024 and the main rate of class 4 self-employed NICs will also be reduced from 8% to 6%. The high income child benefit charge (HICBC) will be reformed, increasing the […]
If enacted in its current form, the recently published Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will affect landlords in England and Wales who own a leasehold property. Extending a lease The government’s intention is that the standard term given when extending a lease will be 990 years. The extension term for flats and apartments is currently […]
Changes to individual savings account (ISA) rules coming into effect from 6 April 2024 will make ISAs more user friendly, most notably the move to allow multiple subscriptions of same-type ISAs in a tax year. Multiple subscriptions It is currently only possible to pay into just one ISA of each type in a tax year. […]
November’s Autumn Statement included a package of measures to help alleviate the burden of business rates in England and on the Scottish islands, but Wales won’t be so fortunate. 75% relief rules Retail, hospitality and leisure properties that do not qualify for small business rates relief currently receive a 75% business rates discount, subject to […]