On 9 April 2014 HMRC published details of their latest campaign to encourage taxpayers to declare and pay unpaid tax on second incomes. HMRC will expect settlement of any taxes due four months from the date of declaration of untaxed income sources to HMRC. The types of income highlighted by HMRC include: consultancy fees, for.. read more →

George Osborne has laid his cards on the table and we now know what the tax landscape looks like for 2014-15 (subject to any changes before the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013-14 receives Royal Assent). Here’s a list of the main changes:   For those born after 5 April 1948 the personal tax allowance is.. read more →

The new statutory residence test explained. Last year, HMRC introduced a new statutory residence test, which has been designed to provide greater certainty as to whether or not individuals are UK resident for tax purposes. It is a welcome development as many clients have faced years of uncertainty over their residence status. However as with.. read more →

A Budget for makers, doers and savers…. 1. Pensions – ‘far reaching reforms’ were announced, with tax restrictions being lifted allowing pensioners access to their pots. From April 2015 the 25% tax-free pot will continue, the excess currently suffers a 55% tax charge, this will be removed allowing the excess to be taxed at the.. read more →

Find out how the accounting treatment of investment properties held by individuals has changed.  Individuals who hold investment properties and receive rental income need to disclose the rental income on their tax returns. Until 5 April 2013 this had to be done using the accruals basis; however; from 6 April 2013 an individual with rental.. read more →

The period that private residence relief impacts on capital gains tax will be reduced from 6 April 2014. Private residence relief – or principal private residence relief – applies for capital gains tax purposes if the dwelling house or part of the dwelling house has been the individual’s only or main residence during some period.. read more →

Despite last minute calls to push back the deadline, a record number of self-assessment tax returns were filed before midnight on January 31st. In total, HM Revenue & Customs received 10.3 million tax returns for 2012/13, beating the previous year’s total of 9.61 million. Much of the increase was down to the Government’s controversial changes to.. read more →

There are only 7 weeks until the filing deadline for 2012/13 Self Assessment Returns. If your return is submitted late, you will be charged an initial penalty of £100. If your return has still not been submitted by 30th April, you will start to be charged a £10 daily penalty for up to 90 days (£900.. read more →

This month gives us an excuse to let our hair down and enjoy a well earned celebration with our work colleagues and partners. This article is a reminder of the tax concessions that apply to the costs of providing the Christmas bash. The cost of an annual staff party or similar function is allowed as.. read more →

A new tax campaign was launched by HMRC on 7 October 2013. The campaign targets: physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, chiropodists and podiatrists; homeopaths, dieticians, nutritional therapists, reflexologists, acupuncturists, psychologists, speech, language and art therapists, and other health professionals are also covered. Health professionals have until 31 December 2013 to advise HMRC that they would.. read more →