Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT has been in place for three years, but this first phase excluded voluntarily registered businesses beneath the registration threshold. From 1 April 2022, all VAT-registered businesses must implement MTD…
NICs boost for the self-employed
Prior to the March Spring Statement, most self-employed individuals were facing increased national insurance contribution (NIC) bills this year. However, those with profits up to and just over £28,000 will now see a fall in…
Protecting the normal minimum pension age
The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) will increase from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028, although a protected pension age regime will be introduced. This will allow those who meet the rules to take…
What is a ‘reasonable excuse’ for tax penalties?
Having a reasonable excuse can be a get-out-of-jail-free card if you are charged a tax penalty. However, there is no statutory definition of the term, and what might constitute a reasonable excuse for one person…
Keeping it in the family – tax saving salary strategies
An easy way to reduce a business’s tax bill – and also increase the amount of funds withdrawn from the business – is to put a family member on the payroll. Of course, the salary…
The patchwork effect of rising inflation
2021 ended with inflation sitting at 5.4%, but it may not have felt like that to you. You may have caught the food campaigner Jack Monroe on TV and radio interviews recently highlighting how the…
Business rates loophole on second homes closing
Owners of holiday lets and second homes in England have been able to avoid council tax by registering their properties as businesses. However, from April 2023, small business rates relief will only be available if…
Focus on tax year-end planning
With Christmas and New Year behind us, tax year-end planning should now be on your radar. The 2021/22 tax year will end on Tuesday 5 April. This year there is no Spring Budget and Easter…
Sick pay rebate returns to help relieve pressure on businesses
The Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (SSPRS), which ended on 30 September 2021, was reintroduced from 21 December 2021, with employers able to make retrospective claims from mid-January. The scheme’s return is in response to…
Debt evading directors face new Insolvency Service powers
Directors who abuse the company dissolution process in order to evade debts, including the repayment of government-backed Covid-19 business loans, will be subject to stronger powers given to the Insolvency Service. These new powers were…