Employee National Insurance cut announced in the Autumn Statement takes effect (from 6 January). For many years, successive governments have been happy for the public to vaguely believe that national insurance contributions (NICs) are building…
Incoming NIC reforms for the self-employed
National insurance contribution (NIC) changes for the self-employed announced in the Autumn Statement come in from 6 April 2024 and will be welcome news. But the reforms don’t go far enough to offset the continuing…
Second Tax Day brings change and consultation
The second ever Tax Administration and Maintenance Day (Tax Day) took place on 27 April, with the government publishing a range of technical proposals and consultations. The Tax Day announcements were grouped around simplification and…
Profit withdrawal changes for 2023/24
Owner-managers have historically benefited by withdrawing profits by way of dividends, rather than taking director’s remuneration, due to the national insurance contribution (NIC) saving. However, tax changes taking effect from April 2023 will mean this…
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…
Dividends vs remuneration: the corporation tax quandary
For owner-managed companies, bonuses, dividends and remuneration will become yet more complex in the new tax year. With the corporation tax increase and dividend rates now confirmed by the Government, the dividend vs remuneration decision…
The rise of mini umbrella company fraud
The rise of mini umbrella company fraud continues to concern HRMC which has recently updated its guidance for businesses that either place or use temporary labour. Mini umbrella companies can be used to abuse the…
Are you on top of Making Tax Digital’s latest developments?
The widening scope of Making Tax Digital (MTD) is highlighting several issues, including the limited availability of the MTD for income tax pilot scheme, and low awareness of the recent expansion of MTD for VAT…
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…
Freeports up and running
The first eight Freeport designated tax sites have now opened in Teesside, Humber and Thames. Freeports and their tax sites benefit from various incentives and tax breaks, but it remains uncertain whether they will provide…