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There are several types of reliefs from Inheritance Tax (IHT), one of which is IHT Business Relief. This can be a significant tax benefit for those with business interests, potentially offering either 50% or 100% relief from IHT on the value of business assets if certain criteria are met.

What qualifies for IHT Business Relief There are several types of reliefs from Inheritance Tax (IHT), one of which is IHT Business Relief. This can be a significant tax benefit for those with business interests, potentially offering either 50% or 100% relief from IHT on the value of business assets if certain criteria are met.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 1 August and in a very close 5-4 vote decided to reduce interest rates by 25 basis points to 5%. The 4 remaining members voted to keep the rate at 5.25%.

First interest rates cut in over four years The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 1 August and in a very close 5-4 vote decided to reduce interest rates by 25 basis points to 5%. The 4 remaining members voted to keep the rate at 5.25%. This was the first interest rate cut announced by the Bank of Englan

A new digital VAT registration tool has been launched by HMRC that can be used to help businesses work out the effects of registering for VAT.

HMRC launches VAT registration tool A new digital VAT registration tool has been launched by HMRC that can be used to help businesses work out the effects of registering for VAT. The launch of the tool known as the VAT Registration Estimator came about following feedback from small businesses suggested an online tool w

The VAT Annual Accounting Scheme is available to most businesses with an annual turnover of up to £1.35 million. Key benefits of the scheme include the obligation to file just one VAT return per year, which can greatly reduce administrative time and costs compared to preparing and submitting quarterly VAT returns.

Using the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme The VAT Annual Accounting Scheme is available to most businesses with an annual turnover of up to £1.35 million. Key benefits of the scheme include the obligation to file just one VAT return per year, which can greatly reduce administrative time and costs compared to preparing and submittin

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered her widely anticipated House of Commons statement on 29 July 2024. The Chancellor asserted that the new government has inherited a £22bn hole in the public finances. The Chancellor said that she will take the “difficult decisions” necessary to find £5.5 billion of savings this year and £8.1 billion next year.

Government to deal with £22bn “black hole” in finances The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered her widely anticipated House of Commons statement on 29 July 2024. The Chancellor asserted that the new government has inherited a £22bn hole in the public finances. The Chancellor said that she will take the “difficult dec

The Let Property Campaign provides landlords who have undeclared income from residential property lettings in the UK or abroad with an opportunity to regularise their affairs by disclosing any outstanding liabilities whether due to misunderstanding the tax rules or because of deliberate tax evasion. Participation in the campaign is open to all residential property landlords with undisclosed taxes. The campaign is not suitable for those letting out non-residential properties.

Let Property Campaign The Let Property Campaign provides landlords who have undeclared income from residential property lettings in the UK or abroad with an opportunity to regularise their affairs by disclosing any outstanding liabilities whether due to misunderstanding the tax rules or because of deliberate tax evasi

The Corporation Tax Main Rate applies to companies with profits in excess of £250,000. The applicable rate is currently 25%. A Small Profit Rate (SPR) of 19% applies to companies with profits of up to £50,000.

The marginal rate of Corporation Tax The Corporation Tax Main Rate applies to companies with profits in excess of £250,000. The applicable rate is currently 25%. A Small Profit Rate (SPR) of 19% applies to companies with profits of up to £50,000. Where a company has profits between £50,000 and £250,00

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is normally charged at a simple flat rate of 20% and this applies to most chargeable gains made by individuals. If taxpayers only pay basic rate tax and make a small capital gain, they may only be subject to a reduced rate of 10%. Once the total of taxable income and gains exceed the higher rate threshold, the excess will be subject to 20% CGT.

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There are special rules concerning the liability to IHT of a transfer made during one’s lifetime. For example, most gifts made during a person's life are not subject to tax at the time of the gift. These lifetime transfers are known as 'potentially exempt transfers' or 'PETs'.

Considering a significant gift? There are special rules concerning the liability to IHT of a transfer made during one’s lifetime. For example, most gifts made during a person's life are not subject to tax at the time of the gift. These lifetime transfers are known as 'potentially exempt transfers' or 'PETs

The VAT Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) Scheme applies to goods imported in consignments with a value of £135 or less (known as low value goods) from countries outside the EU and Northern Ireland, to consumers in the EU, Northern Ireland, or both.

Register for VAT One Stop Shop Scheme The VAT Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) Scheme applies to goods imported in consignments with a value of £135 or less (known as low value goods) from countries outside the EU and Northern Ireland, to consumers in the EU, Northern Ireland, or both. The IOSS Scheme can be used to report a

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) applies to the sale of a business, shares in a trading company or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership. When the relief if available, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) of 10% is payable in place of the standard rate. This can mean a substantial CGT saving for someone looking to exit from their business.

Thinking of selling your business? Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) applies to the sale of a business, shares in a trading company or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership. When the relief if available, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) of 10% is payable in place of the standard rate. This can mean a substantial CGT s

Whilst there are a large number of state benefits available, it is not clear which of these benefits are taxable and which are tax-free.

Taxable and non-taxable State Benefits Whilst there are a large number of state benefits available, it is not clear which of these benefits are taxable and which are tax-free. HMRC’s guidance provides the following list of the most common state benefits that are taxable, i.e., Income Tax is payable, subject to the usual

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is normally charged at a simple flat rate of 20% (but see comments below) when you sell shares unless they are in a CGT free investment such as an ISA or qualifying pension. Your gain is usually the difference between what you paid for your shares and the amount received when you sold them.

Gains on sale of shares Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is normally charged at a simple flat rate of 20% (but see comments below) when you sell shares unless they are in a CGT free investment such as an ISA or qualifying pension. Your gain is usually the difference between what you paid for your shares and the amount recei

The child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family is currently £25.60 and the weekly rate for all other children is £16.95.

Child benefit for 16 to 19 year olds The child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family is currently £25.60 and the weekly rate for all other children is £16.95. Taxpayers entitled to the child benefit should be aware that HMRC usually stop paying child benefit on the 31 August following a child&rsq

The Employment Allowance benefits eligible employers by reducing their National Insurance liability. The current allowance is £5,000. An employer can claim less than the maximum if this covers their total Class 1 NIC bill.

The NIC Employment Allowance The Employment Allowance benefits eligible employers by reducing their National Insurance liability. The current allowance is £5,000. An employer can claim less than the maximum if this covers their total Class 1 NIC bill. The allowance is only available to employers that

Companies House offers interested parties the ability to order certified copies of certificates and documents held on the Companies House register.

Ordering documents from Companies House Companies House offers interested parties the ability to order certified copies of certificates and documents held on the Companies House register. You can order: a company certificate with certified facts; or a certified copy of a document held on the register.

Two separate £1,000 tax allowances for property and trading income were introduced in April 2017. If you have both types of income highlighted below, then you can claim a £1,000 allowance for each.

When you cannot use the Property or Trading Allowances Two separate £1,000 tax allowances for property and trading income were introduced in April 2017. If you have both types of income highlighted below, then you can claim a £1,000 allowance for each. The £1,000 exemptions from tax apply to: If you make up to

The taxable turnover threshold that determines whether businesses should be registered for VAT is currently £90,000. Businesses with turnover below this level can also apply for a voluntary VAT registration.

Business VAT responsibilities The taxable turnover threshold that determines whether businesses should be registered for VAT is currently £90,000. Businesses with turnover below this level can also apply for a voluntary VAT registration. Businesses charge VAT on their sales. This is known as output VAT and

HMRC must be informed when a non-trading or dormant company restarts trading and becomes active for Corporation Tax purposes. Companies can use HMRC Online Services to supply the relevant information.

Restarting a dormant company HMRC must be informed when a non-trading or dormant company restarts trading and becomes active for Corporation Tax purposes. Companies can use HMRC Online Services to supply the relevant information.  When a company has previously traded and then stops it would normally be considere

It is important that anyone responsible for the accounts and tax filing regime for private limited companies is aware of their obligations.

Company filing obligations It is important that anyone responsible for the accounts and tax filing regime for private limited companies is aware of their obligations. After the end of its financial year, a private limited company must prepare full annual accounts and a company tax return. The deadline for fili

As a general rule, an individual who inherits property, money or shares is not liable to pay tax on the inheritance. This is because any Inheritance Tax (IHT) due should be paid out of the deceased’s estate before any cash or assets are distributed to the heirs. However, the recipient is liable to income tax on any profit earned after the inheritance, such as dividends from shares and to capital gains tax on the increase in value on assets after the date of inheritance.

Inheritance and tax As a general rule, an individual who inherits property, money or shares is not liable to pay tax on the inheritance. This is because any Inheritance Tax (IHT) due should be paid out of the deceased’s estate before any cash or assets are distributed to the heirs. However, the recipient is li

In the UK most basic food stuffs are zero rated. However, the definition of 'basic' is not straightforward and many of the foods are zero rated as a result of historical legislation dating back to the introduction of VAT in 1973.

Are mega sized marshmallows zero-rated? In the UK most basic food stuffs are zero rated. However, the definition of 'basic' is not straightforward and many of the foods are zero rated as a result of historical legislation dating back to the introduction of VAT in 1973. Famously, cakes are zero rated but not all biscuits

As had been widely predicted, the results at the polls have seen the Labour Party back in power after 14 years in opposition. Labour have swept into power with their second-largest majority whilst the Conservative Party have had their worst ever result in terms of the number of seats won.

Labour win landslide election result As had been widely predicted, the results at the polls have seen the Labour Party back in power after 14 years in opposition. Labour have swept into power with their second-largest majority whilst the Conservative Party have had their worst ever result in terms of the number of seats won.

Full expensing allows for a 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets and came into effect last April. To qualify for full expensing, expenditure must be incurred on the provision of “main rate” plant or machinery.

Claim full expensing or 50% FYA Full expensing allows for a 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets and came into effect last April. To qualify for full expensing, expenditure must be incurred on the provision of “main rate” plant or machinery. Full expensing is only avail

There is no specific requirement for employers to provide employees with transport home. Nevertheless, an employer has a duty of care to their employees, which means that they should take all steps which are reasonably possible to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing.

Late night taxi for an employee There is no specific requirement for employers to provide employees with transport home. Nevertheless, an employer has a duty of care to their employees, which means that they should take all steps which are reasonably possible to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing. Ensuring that a

The Scottish rate of income tax (SRIT) is payable on the non-savings and non-dividend income of those defined as Scottish taxpayers.

Income Tax in Scotland The Scottish rate of income tax (SRIT) is payable on the non-savings and non-dividend income of those defined as Scottish taxpayers. The definition of a Scottish taxpayer is based on whether the taxpayer has a 'close connection' with Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. The liabi

The letters in your tax code signify your entitlement (or not) to the annual tax free personal allowance. The tax codes are updated annually and help employers work out how much tax to deduct from an employee’s pay packet.

What your tax code means The letters in your tax code signify your entitlement (or not) to the annual tax free personal allowance. The tax codes are updated annually and help employers work out how much tax to deduct from an employee’s pay packet.  The basic personal allowance for the current (and next

If you have been in the same job for two years or more and are made redundant you will usually be entitled to redundancy money. The legal minimum that you are entitled to receive is known as ‘statutory redundancy pay’. There are exceptions where you are not entitled to statutory redundancy pay, for example, if your employer offers to keep you on or offers you suitable alternative work which you refuse without good reason.

Statutory redundancy pay If you have been in the same job for two years or more and are made redundant you will usually be entitled to redundancy money. The legal minimum that you are entitled to receive is known as ‘statutory redundancy pay’. There are exceptions where you are not entitled to statutory redun

Where a taxpayer owns a business as a sole trader or in partnership, a capital gain will be deemed to arise if the business is converted into a company by reference to the market value of the business assets including goodwill. This could give rise to a chargeable gain based on the difference between the market value of the assets and their original cost.

CGT Incorporation Relief Where a taxpayer owns a business as a sole trader or in partnership, a capital gain will be deemed to arise if the business is converted into a company by reference to the market value of the business assets including goodwill. This could give rise to a chargeable gain based on the difference bet

The online service for checking a UK VAT number is available at: www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number.

How to check a UK VAT number The online service for checking a UK VAT number is available at: www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. This service can be used to check: if a UK VAT registration number is valid; and the name and address of the