With the self-employed and landlords facing a challenging economic environment, the government has again delayed the introduction of the Making Tax Digital (MTD) scheme for income tax self-assessment (ITSA) – this time by two years…
Associated company rules changing 1 April
Small company owners should by now be aware of the corporation tax changes taking effect from 1 April 2023, but with the associated company rules being introduced at the same time, don’t be caught off…
High Income Child Benefit Charge: penalties and defaults
New data reveals that penalties issued by HMRC for not paying the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), or paying the incorrect amount, have fallen significantly. However, the number of individuals still in default is estimated…
Cohabitation law reforms rejected
The government has rejected proposals to modernise cohabitation laws in England and Wales, leaving it up to individuals to arrange their financial affairs for partners and dependents. In August, the House of Commons Women and…
Tackling rising employment costs
The 9.7% uplift to the National Living Wage from April 2023 should be welcome news for lower-paid workers, but could present problems if their employer simply cannot afford the increased cost of employing them. The…
Business rates revaluation in 2023
From 1 April 2023, business rates in England and Wales will be updated to reflect changes in property values since the last revaluation in 2017. Although many businesses will see increased bills, others will see…
The effects of fiscal drag on your tax position
Fiscal drag is the stealthy way in which governments pull more and more taxpayers into higher tax brackets without the backlash that comes with increased tax rates. This is something taxpayers can probably live with…
Meandering thoughts on Capital gains chop in Autumn Statement
It should have come as no real surprise that the Chancellor took the axe to relief on capital gains tax (CGT) in the government’s Autumn Statement. The changes are expected to raise some £1.6 billion…
Dissecting inflation: what a difference a year makes
Annual CPI inflation hit 10.1% in September, but that does not mean every price is showing a double-digit increase. The September Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation reading is probably the most important inflation metric in…
The marshmallow paradox – VAT or no VAT?
The biggest marshmallows are in fact VAT free. The intricacies of VAT continue to delight or inflame, with marshmallows the latest food product to come under the spotlight. The outcome of a recent First-Tier Tribunal…