Chancellor Philip Hammond announced 13 consultations in his Spring Statement on 13 March 2018. Here are 5 of the key consultations revealed: VAT registration threshold A review has been launched into the design of the VAT threshold, amid concerns it may currently be disincentivising small businesses from growing beyond a £85,000 turnover. Cashless and digital.. read more →

13 Mar 2018
March 13, 2018

MTD – Making Tax Digital

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… or Making Tax Difficult as I prefer to call it ! The government has back-tracked on their original proposal to digitise taxpayers’ affairs. The original plan, to have most self-employed traders and landlords uploading accounts and VAT data from April 2018, was scrapped. The new plan, delayed until April 2019, requires traders registered for.. read more →

With the 31 January tax return deadline just around the corner, HMRC has revealed the ‘Top 10 oddest excuses’ for sending in a late return. The following bizarre, exotic and flimsy excuses have all been used by tardy taxpayers: My pet goldfish died (self-employed builder) I had a run-in with a cow (Midlands farmer) After.. read more →

A look, with working examples, at pre-letting expenses and the issue of whether repairs are a capital or revenue expense. Profits from UK land or property are treated, for tax purposes, as arising from a business. The broad scheme is that rental business profits are computed using the same principles as for trades (ITTOIA 2005,.. read more →

Several of my clients have recently told me that they’ve been receiving emails, supposedly from HMRC, inviting them to click links within the emails in order to apply for tax refunds. Regrettably, some have confirmed that they did indeed click the links then log onto fake HMRC websites, which looked every bit real to them,.. read more →

23 Mar 2016
March 23, 2016

The Budget

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Some of the key announcements in the Spring 2016 Budget : Residential Landlords A number of changes happening: First, the 10% wear and tear allowance on furnished properties goes from April 2016, to be replaced with a deduction for actual repairs and replacement costs incurred. Secondly, starting from 17/18 and tapering over four years, relief.. read more →

Since the recent announcement of various changes to the taxation of unincorporated property businesses, there has been renewed interest in incorporation: would it be possible to shelter property income and capital gains inside the lower Corporation Tax regime? Unfortunately, this apparent quick-fix for property business owners is fraught with dangers for the unwary. For example:.. read more →

Just a quick friendly reminder that very soon after Christmas comes – chucking out dying trees, returning unwanted gifts, decluttering baubles and… preparing for the 31st January tax deadline! While you’re taking time off work, this could be an ideal opportunity to get your paperwork in order.  I can do all of the organisation at.. read more →

18 Sep 2015
September 18, 2015

Buy to Let BOMBSHELL

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HOW THE RESTRICTION OF RELIEF ON BTL MORTAGE INTEREST WILL AFFECT LANDLORDS By now I am sure you are all aware of the buy to let “bombshell” within the Chancellor’s Summer Budget – the proposal to allow income tax relief on BTL finance costs at the basic rate of tax only – but I thought.. read more →

16 Sep 2015
September 16, 2015

Summer Budget 2015 Property taxes

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A brief summary : From 6 April 2016: Rent-a-room relief to be raised to £7,500 The 10% wear and tear allowance may be reformed (subject to consultation) From 6 April 2017: Higher rate relief on mortgage interest will be restricted for buy-to-let landlords. Rent a room relief The applies to private landlords, the owners of.. read more →