News
New powers for banks to combat fraudsters
10/10/2024
Banks will be granted new powers to delay and investigate payments suspected of fraud, enhancing consumer protection against scammers.
Under new laws being proposed by the Government, banks will be able to extend the maximum delay for suspicious payments by up to 72 hours when there are reasonable grounds to suspect a payment is
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Service tipping law now in force
10/10/2024
New regulations that prohibit employers from withholding tips for employees in the hospitality, leisure, and services sectors took effect on 1 October 2024. This change follows the enactment of The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, commonly referred to as the Tipping Act, along with the statutory Code of Practice on the fair and
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Using the GOV.UK ID Check app
10/10/2024
The GOV.UK ID Check app is used to allow applicants to verify their identify when they sign in to a government service with GOV.UK One Login. Once this had been completed satisfactorily, your identity information is automatically saved to your GOV.UK One Login. This means you will not need to prove your identity next time a service needs
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Construction industry - VAT reverse charge
10/10/2024
There are special VAT reverse charge rules in place for certain building contractors and sub-contractors. These regulations, which came into effect on 1 March 2021, make the supply of most construction services between construction or building businesses subject to the domestic reverse charge. The reverse charge only applies to supplies
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Chancellor unveils new measures
10/10/2024
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has recently introduced a series of new measures aimed at advancing the priorities of the new government. The key announcements include:
New funding for breakfast clubs at 750 schools with primary-aged pupils.
The publication of a new Industrial Strategy in the spring.
A reversal of the decision to write off
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Will 10% tax on business disposals survive?
10/10/2024
While there have been no specific announcements regarding changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), the Chancellor may consider modifying this relief in the upcoming Budget. If you are contemplating selling your business soon, we can assist you in evaluating your options.
BADR currently applies to the sale of a business, shares
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Government crack-down on late payers
09/10/2024
The government has unveiled new measures to support small businesses and the self-employed by tackling the scourge of late payments, which according to the Smart Data Foundry is costing SMEs £22,000 a year on average and according to FSB research, leads to 50,000 business closures a year.
The government will consult on tough new laws
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New residence-based relief for non-doms
09/10/2024
A reminder that the government has stated that it will remove preferential tax treatment based on domicile status for all new foreign income and gains (FIG) that arise from 6 April 2025. To replace the present remittance basis of tax, the government will introduce an internationally competitive residence-based regime, providing 100%
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Tax Diary November/December 2024
07/10/2024
1 November 2024 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 January 2024.
19 November 2024 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 November 2024. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 November 20244.)
19 November 2024 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 November
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Cash in Child Trust Funds
03/10/2024
HMRC has issued a press release urging 18-22 year olds who have yet to claim their Child Trust Fund (CTF) cash to do so as soon as possible. According to HMRC, over 670,000 young adults in this age group have unclaimed funds, with the average savings pot estimated to be marginally in excess of £2,000.
Anyone who turned 18 on or after 1
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Check your State Pension age
03/10/2024
HMRC’s 'Check your State Pension age' tool is available at www.gov.uk/state-pension-age/y.
The online tool allows taxpayers to check the following:
the earliest age they can start receiving the State Pension;
their Pension Credit qualifying age; and
when they will be eligible for free bus travel.
The State Pension age is currently
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Starter checklist for PAYE
03/10/2024
When hiring a new employee, employers must determine the appropriate tax code and starter declaration for their payroll software. Using incorrect tax codes can result in the new employee over or underpaying their taxes. To ensure the correct information is entered, employers need certain details from the new employee, most of which are
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Relief for company tax losses
03/10/2024
Corporation Tax relief may be available when a company or organisation incurs a trading loss, a loss on the sale or disposal of a capital asset, or on property income. Tax relief may be available to reduce Corporation Tax by offsetting it against other profits or gains from the same accounting period.
Additionally, companies can carry a
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Tracing lost pension details
03/10/2024
An online service is available on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details to help people find their lost pension funds.
You can use this service to find contact details for:
your own workplace or personal pension scheme; or
someone else’s scheme if you have their permission.
Whilst the service won’t confirm if a person
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When you must register for VAT
03/10/2024
The taxable turnover threshold for VAT registration is currently £90,000 and has applied since April 2024.
Businesses must register for VAT if they meet one of the following conditions:
At the end of any month, the value of taxable supplies made in the past 12 months exceeds £90,000; or
At any point, there are reasonable grounds to
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Setting up a Civil Partnership
30/09/2024
Civil Partners enjoy the same tax and other advantages as married couples.
To set up a civil partnership in England or Wales, both partners must be eligible, meaning they are over 18, not already married or in a civil partnership and not closely related. The rules may be different in Scotland, Northern Ireland and outside the UK.
You
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Beware fake parking fine texts
30/09/2024
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is warning that scammers are sending text messages about fake DVSA parking penalty charges. The text messages warn people that they have a ‘parking penalty charge’, and that if they do not pay on time, that they might:
be banned from driving
have to pay more
be taken to court
The text
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Gifts and Inheritance Tax
26/09/2024
Most gifts made during a person’s lifetime are not subject to tax at the time of transfer. These gifts, known as "potentially exempt transfers" (PETs), can become fully exempt if the donor survives for more than seven years after making the gift.
If the donor passes away within three years of the gift, the inheritance tax is
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