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…
Powers of attorney move one step closer to the digital age
The administration of lasting powers of attorney (LPA) is on its way to becoming fully online. In an ideal world, you should have an LPA (or its Scottish or Northern Ireland equivalent) sitting beside your…
VAT registration goes online only
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…
Handy hints ahead of self-assessment
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…
Free property alerts for landlords
Landlords in England and Wales might not be aware, but there is a free property alert service that monitors any significant activity on let property. There is greater risk of a property being fraudulently sold…
An uncertain future for the Triple Lock
In mid-September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the latest earnings data, covering the period May to July 2023. Earnings data has been the focus of much attention recently because a fall in the…
Energy efficiency targets shelved. Will some landlords benefit from this?
The government’s backtracking over the introduction of energy performance targets for property let out in England and Wales is facing criticism, but it will be welcome news for landlords with older properties deemed too expensive…
Farewell to inheritance tax?
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…
Mitigating rising corporation tax rates
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…
Deferring your state pension
The current state pension age (SPA) – the earliest age at which you can draw your state pension – is 66. It will be gradually increased to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028. A…