The off-payroll working (IR35) tests are still relevant despite the blanket approach often in place regarding contractors’ employment status. They must always be applied if you are contracting for a small organisation. Two recent decisions…
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…
The future of capital gains tax takes shape
A recently released report on capital gains tax (CGT) by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has made several recommendations on the future of a tax, about which it says many people have limited awareness…
Wheat, Chaff and Umbrella Companies – Separating Them Out
Contractors have turned to umbrella companies as a hassle-free way of providing their services to clients following the recent changes to the off payroll working rules. They receive no tax savings, but pass on some…
Business Relief, IHT and Holiday Homes
There are various tax advantages to a rental property being treated as a furnished holiday letting, but inheritance tax (IHT) business relief is generally not one of them. Even though the law supports HMRC’s view,…
Wealth Divide Increase Through Inheritance
Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies provides a stark warning of how important inheritances are going to be for younger generations in terms of both lifetime income and wealth. Wealth passed down from one…
HMRC Official rate of interest, beneficial Loans et al
HMRC’s official rate of interest has been cut from 2.25% to 2% from 6 April 2021. This will affect any directors or employees who have a beneficial loan from their employer, as well as directors…
Repaying Furlough Grants
The government reports that 3,000 businesses have voluntarily repaid over £760 million of furlough grants received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) where the reality of the impact of the pandemic was not as…
HMRC’s April interest rate cut
HMRC’s official rate of interest has been cut from 2.25% to 2% from 6 April 2021. This will affect any directors or employees who have a beneficial loan from their employer, as well as directors…
Freeport tax incentives
Among the development measures the Chancellor announced in the March Budget were eight new freeports in England. These are due to enter operation in late 2021, with each freeport including a defined tax site within…