Self-employed workers will see a substantial reduction in their Class 4 national in announced in the 202surance contributions (NICs) for the current tax year after two percentage cuts were 3 Autumn Statement and 2024 March…
Not in the NIC of time
A useful new web tool has emerged, a little late in the game, in a joint effort from two government departments. In early 2023, HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found they…
Electric vehicles can boost income with salary sacrifice
It may seem counter-intuitive, but taking a pay cut and opting for a salary sacrifice scheme with an electric car can boost take-home pay thanks to tax and national insurance contribution (NIC) savings. Salary sacrifice…
National Insurance Cut
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…