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…
Apprenticeship levy transfers simplified in England
Larger employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual apprenticeship levy pot to support other, smaller, employers to take on apprentices in England. While there is nothing new about this, what is new is…
Changes afoot for Basis period tax rules
Although it looks like the next Budget will be pushed back to spring 2022, several tax changes are already on the cards, some more certain than others. The government’s fast progress with reform of the…
Focus on national insurance contributions
New government proposals target the promoters of national insurance contribution (NIC) avoidance schemes, while plans are in place to introduce a zero rate of employer contributions in Freeports. Both measures are included in the National…