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…
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…
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…
Over-65s set new employment record
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that more people than ever are working beyond age 65. One of the stranger economic statistics of recent times has been the strength of employment…
Six-fold increase on late payment interest rates
HMRC late payment interest rates have now been raised six times during 2022 – from 2.6% at the start of the year to a current rate of 4.25%. However, at least there’s some good news,…
Setting new taxpayer records
New data from HMRC reveals there are now over six million people paying higher or additional rate tax in the UK. In recent years, the end of June has been the time for HMRC to…
Defining ‘period of ownership’ on residence disposals for CGT purposes
The disposal of a private residence is exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) if used as a main residence throughout the period of ownership. A recent case heard in the First-Tier Tribunal has come up…
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…
Charitable giving pitfalls
Many individuals donate to charity simply for altruistic reasons, but this doesn’t mean the tax benefit should be ignored. With Gift Aid donations saving tax at an individual’s marginal rate, donors need to watch out…