By Katie Making Tax Digital 0 Comments

MTD for VAT – new guidance on penalties for non-compliance

MTD for VAT – new guidance on penalties for non-compliance

HMRC have also issued new guidance on the penalties that they impose for non- compliance with the Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT rules. In particular, there is a penalty of up to £400 for every VAT return a business files without using ‘functional compatible software’.

Functional compatible software means a software program, or set of software programs, products or applications that can:

  • record and store digital records
  • provide HMRC with information and VAT returns from the data held in those digital records
  • receive information from HMRC

There are additional penalties if the business does not keep their records digitally.

HMRC may charge the business a penalty of between £5 to £15 for every day on which the digital record keeping requirement is not met.

To meet the digital record keeping requirement, the business’ functional compatible software must contain:

  • the business name, address and VAT registration number
  • any adjustments from calculations made outside the functional compatible software for any VAT accounting schemes used
  • the VAT on goods and services supplied, meaning everything the business sold, leased, rented or hired (supplies made)
  • the VAT on goods and services received, meaning everything the business bought, leased, rented or hired (supplies received)
  • any adjustments made to a return
  • the ‘time of supply’ and ‘value of supply’ (value excluding VAT) for everything bought and sold
  • the rate of VAT charged on goods and services
  • details of any ‘reverse charge transactions’, where the business needs to record the VAT on the sale price and the purchase price of the goods and services bought
  • copies of documents that cover multiple transactions made on behalf of the business like those made by volunteers for charity fundraising, a third-party business or employees for expenses in petty cash

All transactions must be contained in the functional compatible software there is not a requirement to scan or upload supporting documents like invoices and receipts.

Need more information?

We have helped many businesses move over to MTD. We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Making Tax Digital 0 Comments

Making Tax Digital for VAT – New penalties for non-compliance

Making Tax Digital for VAT – New penalties for non-compliance

HMRC have issued guidance for VAT-registered business and their agents on how to avoid penalties for non-compliance with the Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD) rules.

In particular, there is a new £400 per return penalty if you file a return but do not use functional compatible software.

There are additional penalties if the business does not keep its records digitally. HMRC may charge you a penalty of between £5 to £15 for every day on which the business does not meet that requirement.

Key extracts from HMRC guidance include:

You must file your VAT return using functional compatible software

Functional compatible software means a software program, or set of software programs, products or applications (apps) that can:

  • record and store digital records.
  • provide HMRC with information and VAT returns from the data held in those digital records.
  • receive information from HMRC.

You must keep records digitally

You must keep some records digitally within your functional compatible software. This is known as your ‘electronic account’. Your electronic account must contain:

  • your business name, address and VAT registration number.
  • any adjustments from calculations you make outside your functional compatible software for any VAT accounting schemes you use.
  • the VAT on goods and services you supplied, meaning everything you sold, leased, rented or hired (supplies made).
  • the VAT on goods and services you received, meaning everything you bought, leased, rented or hired (supplies received).
  • any adjustments you make to a return.
  • the ‘time of supply’ and ‘value of supply’ (value excluding VAT) for everything you bought and sold.
  • the rate of VAT you charged on goods and services.
  • your reverse charge transactions, where you record the VAT on the sale price and the purchase price of the goods and services you buy.
  • copies of documents that cover multiple transactions made on behalf of your business, like those made by volunteers for charity fundraising, a third-party business or employees for expenses in petty cash.

All transactions must be contained in your electronic account, but you do not need to scan paper records like invoices and receipts.

Please contact us if you need assistance in complying with MTD.

See: Compliance checks: How to avoid penalties for Making Tax Digital for VAT – CC/FS69 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Need more information?

We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your businesses who are just getting going! Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business Advice 0 Comments

Tax-efficient finance for your company

HMRC have recently updated their guidance for companies looking to attract investors to buy shares in their company and this blog post outlines tax-efficient finance for your company.

If structured correctly, and if the company qualifies under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) or the Seed EIS rules, the investors can potentially take advantage of a number of generous tax breaks.

Under the EIS, the company can raise up to £5 million each year, with a maximum of £12 million raised in the company’s lifetime. This also includes amounts received from other venture capital schemes. The company must receive investment under a venture capital scheme within 7 years of its first commercial sale.

The size of the issuing company is crucial as the company and any qualifying subsidiaries must:

  • not have gross assets worth more than £15 million before any shares are issued, and not more than £16 million immediately afterwards.
  • have less than 250 full-time equivalent employees at the time the shares are issued.

The investment must meet the “risk to capital” condition, which means:

  • the company must use the money for growth and development.
  • the investment must be a risk to the investors’ capital.

‘Growth and development’ means the company will use the investment to grow things like its revenue, customer base or number of employees.

There are several other complex scheme rules that need to be followed so that the investors can claim and keep EIS tax reliefs relating to their shares. Tax reliefs will be withheld or withdrawn from the investors if they, and the company, do not follow the rules for at least 3 years after the investment is made.

It is advisable to apply for Advance Assurance from HMRC that the company is an ‘EIS qualifying company’ before the shares are issued.

For more details see: Use the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) to raise money for your company – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Seed EIS (SEIS) is designed to encourage investment in small start-up companies and, like EIS, provides a number of tax breaks for individuals who buy new shares in a company. The company must not have been trading for more than 2 years when the SEIS shares are issued.

Only the first £150,000 of share capital raised by the company qualifies for Seed EIS relief. However, this can form part of a larger share issue with subsequent share issues qualifying for EIS relief up to a £5 million annual limit.

Like EIS, the tax reliefs will be withheld, or withdrawn, from investors if the rules are not followed for at least 3 years after the investment is made.

There is a key condition that the company is an unquoted company carrying on, or preparing to carry out, a qualifying trade at the time that the shares are issued.

Another important condition to qualify under Seed EIS is the company and any of its subsidiaries must:

  • not have gross assets over £200,000 when the shares are issued.
  • not be a member of a partnership.
  • have less than 25 full-time equivalent employees in total when the shares are issued.

Like EIS, it is advisable to apply for Advance Assurance from HMRC that the company is a  qualifying company before the shares are issued. For more details see: Use the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme to raise money for your company – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Need more information?

We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

54 mile charity hike for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

On the 4th-5th June 2022, Client Manager, Mikey took part in a charity hike in The Cateran Yomp. A 54-mile hike in 24 hours across rural Perthshire.

It was tough but he completed it and raised vital funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Army’s National Charity, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families. Mikey raised a fantastic £829 + 106.90 Gift Aid. We were delighted to support him on this charity hike and look forward to more with the team in the future!

Well done Mikey from all the team at A&C!

Need more information?

Remember, if your business gets involved in a charity hike this can be tax efficient. We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your businesses who are just getting going! Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business Advice • Business News 0 Comments

Small firms struggle to get finance

Small firms struggle to get finance:

A recent study by the Federation for small businesses (FSB) shows lending to small businesses has hit an all-time low. New findings from the quarterly Small Business Index (SBI) show successful finance applications plummeting to lowest level on record.

The FSB warns that banks “pulling up the drawbridge” to small firms will further stifle economic growth. Fewer than one in ten (9%) small firms applied for finance in Q1 2022, the lowest proportion since SBI records began. The share that saw applications approved (43%) is also at a record low. Of the few firms that did manage to secure finance, four in ten (42%) plan to use credit to manage cashflow, considerably more than the numbers planning to use funds for equipment updates (21%), expansion (19%) or recruitment (4%).

Please talk to us if you need finance – we can help!

See: Lending to small businesses hits all-time low, new study finds, with six in ten impacted by late payment | FSB, The Federation of Small Businesses

Need more information?

We work with many small firms? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for small firms and start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Workplace Charging Scheme: guidance for charities and small accommodation businesses

Workplace Charging Scheme:

The UK Government is now offering help to businesses with the upfront costs to install charge points.

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints.

The scheme is available for B&Bs, campsites, small hotels, charities and any other accommodation business with less than 250 employees.

For more information please follow the link here: Workplace Charging Scheme: guidance for charities and small accommodation businesses – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on the Workplace Charging Scheme?We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in the hotel and charity sectors. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Understanding scale rate payments

Understanding scale rate payments:

As an employer providing business or private expenses for your employees, you have certain tax, National Insurance and reporting obligations.

The rules on cash sum payments for business expenses cover:

  • cash sums you provide to meet the costs of your employees’ expenses
  • expenses they’ve paid for themselves that you reimburse
  • ‘scale rate payments’ you pay at a level agreed with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • ‘round sum allowances’, which you give to an employee regardless of how they spend them

Scale rate payments

If you provide your employees with a set amount of cash to pay for some common business expenses like travel and meals, these are known as ‘scale rate payments’.

As long as your employee has actually spent the scale rate payment on business expenses, you will not need to check every single receipt – it’s fine to just check a sample.

You can set up a scale rate payment by either:

HMRC also provides benchmark rates for employees travelling outside the UK.

What to report and pay

You must report the scale rate payments on form P11D unless they are exempt or no more than the agreed scale rate or benchmarked scale rate. This means you do not have to include them in your end-of-year reports.

You do not need to deduct or pay any tax or National Insurance when reporting scale rate payments.

There are separate rules for individual benefits you provide to your employees. You need to follow specific reporting and payment rules for different items, including travel, meals and accommodation.

Payments for private expenses count as earnings.

Need more information?

We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your businesses who are just getting going! Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Should you convert a property to a furnished holiday let?

Should you convert a property to a furnished holiday let?

Normally a residential rental property would be subject to a 28% capital gains tax (CGT) rate on its disposal. However, if it qualifies as a furnished holiday let (FHL) then the capital gains tax rate can be reduced to 10% by taking advantage of Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR). It may be possible to make a non-FHL into an FHL for the two years prior to disposal and then enjoy BADR on the whole gain.

To qualify as an FHL, a property must be situated in the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA), it must be furnished and let on a commercial basis and the following conditions need to be satisfied:
1. The property must be available for letting for 210 days a year; and
2. It must actually be let for 105 days a year; and
3. The property must not normally be let for periods of more than 31 consecutive days to the same person, but if it is so let, those days do not count towards the 105 day total (above).

In the case of a single property, relief should be available if the property was used as an FHL for two years before the business ceased and the disposal takes place within three years of any cessation.

BADR may not be available when multiple FHLs are held and only some of them have been disposed. This is because HMRC will not automatically accept that this will be the disposal of the whole or part of a business (they say that it depends on the facts). When not all FHLs are sold then the risk is that HMRC resist a BADR claim on the basis that only business assets are being disposed of rather than a definable part of the business.
This all makes me think that in some cases it may be worth bringing a property within the FHL rules two years prior to a disposal.

Example: Giles owns a rental property in Devon which was purchased years ago for £200,000 and is now worth £1.2m. He now wishes to sell the property and is told that he would face a tax liability of £280,000 (£1m at 28%) if he did so. However, if he were to run an FHL business for at least two years then (all things being equal) this tax liability could be reduced to £100,000 (£1m at 10%).

Forbes Dawson view

Although changing a property to an FHL is a significant commercial decision, there can be significant tax savings achieved in doing so because BADR can be enjoyed on the whole gain even when the FHL status has only applied over a relatively short period of ownership. Also, with the rise of websites such as Airbnb, it is now likely to be quite straightforward to set up a qualifying FHL business.

If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Need more information?

Should you convert a property to a furnished holiday let?

Our team of property accountants can help you answer that question, taking into account your goals and current situation.

We work hard to create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for our clients. If you want to learn more about how we can help, please contact us.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Capital gains tax on separation and divorce

Capital gains tax on separation and divorce:

When a married couple or civil partners separate, tax planning is understandably not at the top of the list of their thoughts. However, a ‘no gain/no loss’ rule allows capital assets to be transferred between them free of capital gains tax (CGT) up to the end of the tax year in which they permanently separate. Beyond that date, asset transfers between the couple will often give rise to a CGT liability. With many divorce settlements taking several months this is worth careful consideration.

The Office of Tax Simplification has recommended to the Treasury that the no gain/no loss rule should be extended to two years from the date of permanent separation. The government have accepted this recommendation, but the change in rules is yet to be legislated.

The actual date that assets are treated as transferred between the separating couple depends upon how the marriage or civil partnership is dissolved.

It is also important to consider private residence relief (PRR) on the family home. It should be noted that where one spouse or civil partner leaves the matrimonial home, they may continue to be eligible for PRR even if they no longer live in the property. There are specific conditions that need to be satisfied for this to apply.

All in all, CGT on separation is a complex area and please do talk to us if any issues may be in point. We understand the sensitivity of the situation and are here to help.

Need more information?

We offer a wide range of accountancy services, including capital gains tax advice.

If you want to learn more about how our team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us on 0161 962 1855 or fill in the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Salary sacrifices – make sure you get the timing right

Salary sacrifices – make sure you get the timing right:

Many employers and employees have been putting in place salary sacrifice arrangements to give up some of their contractual salary in exchange for additional pension contributions or an electric company car. In these specific cases and if correctly structured, the employee is taxed on the lower of the taxable benefit and the salary foregone.

In the case of the electric car the benefit is currently 2% of the original list price. There is no taxable benefit on employer pension contributions.

When the director or employee enters into the salary sacrifice arrangement, they must agree with their employer to vary the employment contract well in advance of the date when the first payment under the new arrangement is due to be made. If the contractual changes have not been completed by that date, the terms of the previous contract continue to be in force.

This means that the employee is still entitled to receive, and is therefore still taxable on, the previous higher salary, even though the smaller, post- sacrifice amount is paid.

Need more information?

Do you need help with Salary sacrifices? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business Advice 0 Comments

The employment allowance – is your business entitled?

The Employment Allowance (EA) is a £5,000 allowance set against employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and has to be claimed each tax year by qualifying employers. The EA was increased from £4,000 to £5,000 this tax year to help to soften the blow of the 1.25% increase in employer contributions, now calculated at 15.05%.

If two or more companies or charities are connected with one another, then only one of them may claim the EA.

Employers are not eligible to claim the EA where their employers’ Class 1 National Insurance liabilities in the previous tax year exceeded £100,000.

Another important exclusion from the EA are single director companies where the director is the sole employee of the company.

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on The Employment Allowance? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business Advice 0 Comments

Buying a second hand electric car for your business

Buying a second hand electric car for your business:

The shortage of semiconductors has meant long delays in the delivery of new cars. This has caused many company car drivers to choose a second hand car instead, but what are the tax consequences?

Unless the car has zero emissions, the capital allowance rules are the same for new and used cars bought by the business. Plant and machinery capital allowances may be claimed on the purchase price of the car at either 18% or 6%, depending on whether the CO2 emissions for the vehicle are below or above 50g CO2 per km.

 

Where a zero-emission car is acquired by the business, a special 100% first year allowance only applies to new cars. There is however an exception for certain ex-demonstrator cars. HMRC accept a car is unused and not second hand provided it has been driven for a limited number of miles for the purposes of testing, delivery, and test driven by potential purchasers.

When calculating the P11D benefit of company cars the original list price inclusive of extras should be used, not the purchase price. Hence the P11D value for a second hand company car may be significantly higher than the price paid for the vehicle.

Need more information?

Are you considering buying a second hand electric car for your business? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business Advice • Business News 0 Comments

The Employment Allowance – Don’t forget to claim

The Employment Allowance (EA) is a £5,000 allowance set against employers National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and has to be claimed each tax year if the employer qualifies. This allowance was introduced in 2014/15 and was increased to £5,000 from 2022/23. Employers make a claim for the Employment Allowance through their payroll software. They do this by completing and submitting a Real Time Information – Employer Payment Summary (EPS) to HMRC. The employer must enter “Yes” in the “Employment Allowance Indicator” field of the EPS confirming that they are eligible to claim the allowance.

Eligible employers can claim the Employment Allowance at any time during a tax year. Employers may also claim the Employment Allowance against closed tax years, provided they have not already claimed the allowance for those years. However, claims for closed tax years are limited to the four tax years falling before the current tax year.

The Employment Allowance can be claimed by most employers who pay secondary Class 1 NICs on their employees. This includes:

  • businesses (includes self- employed persons, companies and partnerships who have employees)
  • charities (includes private businesses that have charitable status such as schools, academies, further education colleges and universities)
  • Community Amateur Sports Clubs

If two or more companies are connected with one another, or two or more charities are connected with one another, then only one of those companies/charities may claim the Employment Allowance and they must decide which company/charity claims the allowance.

For recently updated guidance on connected businesses see: –

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/national-insurance-manual/nim06560

 

Other Employers Excluded from claiming the Employment Allowance

Employers are not eligible to claim the Employment Allowance where their employers’ Class 1 National Insurance liabilities in the previous tax year exceeded £100,000.

Another important exclusion from EA are single director companies where the director is the sole employee of the company.

Employment Allowance counts towards the total de minimis State Aid you’re allowed to get over a 3 year period. Employers that exceed the de minimis State Aid threshold for their sector (Agriculture products for example 20,000 euros) are also excluded from claiming EA.

Need more information?

Do you need further support with your payroll?

Our team offers a complete range of payroll services for companies across all sectors, from charities to construction firms.

If you want to learn more about how the team can help, or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant, don’t hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively, you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Treasury Starts Conversation to Reform UK Capital Allowance Regime

Treasury Starts Conversation to Reform UK Capital Allowance Regime

A publication aiming to kickstart a conversation with businesses about how to reform the UK’s capital allowances regime was published earlier this month.

The publication sets out how firms can work with the government on capital allowances to help foster a new culture of enterprise and growth in the UK, with responses requested by 1 July 2022.

The UK has a long-standing issue with productivity and one of the key underlying causes is a lack of capital investment.

According to OECD data, companies invest just 10% of GDP each year, compared with 14% in our competitor countries – our tax system doesn’t reward investment as much as other countries do.

The Spring Statement set out some illustrations of the types of changes government could make to the current capital allowances regime. This new guidance delves into those options in further detail, which includes:

  • increasing the permanent level of the Annual Investment Allowance
  • increasing the rates of Writing Down Allowances
  • introducing general First-Year Allowances (FYAs) for qualifying expenditure on plant and machinery
  • introducing an additional FYA
  • introducing permanent full expensing

While some business organisations have called for full expensing to be introduced following the super-deduction, this could cost over £11 billion a year. The government is keen to hear views as to whether that would be well targeted if funding is available, and if it isn’t available, how to best target their approach.

See:  Treasury Starts Conversation to Reform UK Capital Allowance Regime – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on the Capital Allowance Regime? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business! Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

End of tax year payroll procedures

End of tax year payroll procedures:

As the 2021/22 tax year has now ended, employers need to carry out the following end of year procedures:-

  • Provide employees with their P60 annual summaries by 31 May 2022,
  • Prepare forms P11D for employees’ expenses and benefits by 5 July 2022,
  • Update employees’ payroll data for 2022/23, in particular their new tax codes, and

Update their payroll software for 2022/23 if they haven’t already done so.

Need more information?

We have a dedicated in-house payroll team who control all of our clients payroll procedures. We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business and our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Stamp duty land tax possible changes

HMRC have been consulting on changes to the relief from stamp duty land tax (SDLT) when two or more properties are acquired at the same time. This indicates that a change in the rules is imminent, and purchasers should take advantage while the relief continues to apply.

Currently where at least two dwellings are purchased in a single transaction, or as part of a series of linked transactions between the same vendor and purchaser, the purchaser can choose to have the rate of SDLT determined by the average value of the dwellings purchased, rather than their combined value. Purchasers can therefore benefit from multiple nil-rate and lower percentage bandings, significantly reducing the amount of SDLT payable. Multiple dwellings relief doesn’t apply automatically; it must be claimed in a land transaction return and your solicitor may not be aware of this important relief.

 

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on stamp duty land tax? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings

The Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) was introduced in April 2012 and is charged where certain residential properties are owned within a corporate structure. This tax not only catches UK properties owned by wealthy oligarchs via offshore companies but also applies to UK resident companies. Originally the charge only applied where the value of the property exceeded £2 million but that threshold has been subsequently reduced to £500,000.

The charge for 2022/23 starts at £3,800 and rises to £244,750 where the property value is more than £20 million.

Properties need to be revalued every five years and the latest valuation date is 1 April 2022. With significant increases in property values in recent years this may mean that more companies may be required to complete an ATED return.

There are numerous exemptions and reliefs from ATED but companies still need to submit an ATED Relief Declaration Return.

MAIN ATED RELIEFS

The main situations where there is a relief from ATED are where the property is:-

  • let to a third party on a commercial basis
  • being developed for resale by a property developer
  • owned by a property trader as the stock of the business for the sole purpose of resale
  • a farmhouse occupied by a farm worker or a former long-serving farm worker

Need more information?

We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your businesses who are just getting going! Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Reimburse private fuel for your company car?

Reimburse private fuel for your company car?

Unless there is full reimbursement of fuel provided for the private use of a company car there is a benefit in kind charge based on a fixed figure of £24,600 which is multiplied by the CO2 emissions percentage that is used to calculate the company car benefit for that vehicle.

For a high emission car that percentage can be as high as 37%, resulting in a benefit in kind charge of £9,102 and an income tax bill of £3,640.80 for a higher rate taxpayer. Even with current fuel prices, that would be an awful lot of private mileage, so the employee should consider reimbursing the employer using the HMRC approved mileage rates by 5 July 2022 for 2021/22.

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on private fuel and own a company car? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Super-deduction for equipment runs until March 2023

The 130% super-deduction for companies that invest in new plant and machinery applies where the expenditure is incurred between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023. Many companies recovering from the coronavirus pandemic have not had the resources to commit thus far and the war in Ukraine may have made them reluctant to invest until the political and economic situation stabilises. Thankfully the special tax relief announced in the Spring 2021 Budget will be available for expenditure up until 31 March 2023 potentially saving £247 for every £1,000 invested in new equipment.

It is hoped that the current £1 million Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) will continue to be held at that level once the super-deduction ends. Note that the AIA is available to unincorporated businesses as well as limited companies and for second hand as well as new equipment.

Need more information?

Do you need further support with the super-deduction tax relief? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business and our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Trading losses – carry back or forward?

Trading losses – carry back or forward?

In the March 2021 Budget, it was announced that the normal one-year carry back for trading losses would be extended to three years. That means that many businesses that have made losses during the COVID-19 pandemic may be able to obtain a repayment of tax paid in that earlier three-year period. This enhanced carry back applies to unincorporated businesses as well as limited companies and will provide a much-needed tax refund.

However, with the corporation tax rate increasing to 25% from 1 April 2023 for profits over £250,000 it may be more beneficial to carry the loss forward. Note that the marginal rate is 26.5% where profits are between £50,000 and £250,000 a year. So, there is a trade-off between a tax refund now and a possible bigger tax saving in the future.

For the enhanced carry back the company’s loss-making accounting period must end between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022. For unincorporated businesses, the trading loss must be incurred in 2020/21 or 2021/22.

For corporation tax purposes, it is no longer necessary to finalise the year-end company accounts and file the CT600 corporation tax return to claim loss relief where the loss is no more than £200,000. HMRC will however require evidence of the loss to process the claim such as management accounts for the period.

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on trading losses?

Our team of corporation tax specialists have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors. We work hard to create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups, SMEs and beyond.

If you want to learn more about how the team can help, please fill in a contact form or call 0161 962 1855.

By Katie Business News 0 Comments

Changes to VAT rates from 1 April 2022

Changes to VAT rates from 1 April 2022:

Many in the hospitality sector were hoping that the Chancellor would extend the 12.5% reduced rate that has applied since 1 October 2021 but, as scheduled, the rate has reverted to 20% from 1 April 2022.

The increase applies to hospitality, visitor attractions, catering services including restaurants and takeaways.

This has a consequential effect on the VAT Flat Rate Scheme percentages from 1 April 2022 onwards as set out below:

Type of Business From 1 April 2022
Catering services including restaurants and takeaways 12.5%
Hotel or accommodation 10.5%
Pubs 6.5%

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on the changing VAT rates?

Our VAT advisors have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector.

If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some tax advice from a trusted accountant, please contact us by filling in a contact form or calling 0161 962 1855.

By Katie Wealth Planning 0 Comments

Older pensions could be delivering poor value for money

Older pensions could be delivering poor value for money:

In February, Research conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, was published.

The new research found that:

  • Many deferred pensions held by a sample of those in their 50s are in schemes with charges that are high relative to current market standards.
  • Deferred pensions started longer ago typically have higher fees than pensions started more recently, and these differences do not look justified by better performance. Charges have fallen over time and deferred pensions often do not reflect these changing market conditions.
  • Among people in their 50s contacting Profile Pensions, the average annual fee for deferred pensions taken out in the 1990s is above 1.1% of fund value, compared with around 0.9% for pensions taken out in the 2000s and 0.8% for pensions taken out in the 2010s. Very few pensions taken out a long time ago have low charges: four-fifths of the pensions started in 2013 have a charge of 0.75% or less, compared with just one-in-four of the pensions started in 2003 and one-in-nine of the pensions started in 1993.
  • While the difference between 1.1% and 0.8% sounds small, it can make an important difference to retirement resources when cumulated over many years. For example, for a 50-year-old with a pot of £21,000, it would amount to a difference of around £2,400 at age 67 in today’s prices if annual investment returns going forwards are the same as the average over the past five years.
  • Older deferred pensions may also not be invested in the way that people now want. Unlike with pensions taken out more recently, the equity allocation of pensions started longer ago is less likely to line up with a current assessment of people’s willingness to take on risk.
  • This may be a particular issue for people approaching retirement, among whom the proportion of their pension funds invested in equities varies according to when their pension was started. Specifically, among pensions taken out more recently, there is a decline in the share invested in equities at older worker ages; no such decline is seen among pensions taken out longer ago.

Stratagem Financial Planning have explained this further in their blog post.

A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation, which are subject to change in the future.

Need more information?

Please note, whilst we as Chartered Accountants offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business, we are not financial advisors. We work with the award winning team of financial advisors at Stratagem Financial Planning. We urge you to contact them for further guidance on this article.

Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Wealth Planning 0 Comments

How can entrepreneurs improve their financial resilience?

How can entrepreneurs improve their financial resilience?

More people than ever before are working for themselves and setting up businesses. It can be incredibly rewarding, but you also need to consider how it’ll affect your financial resilience. The UK has a great spirit of entrepreneurship. According to the Office for National Statistics, around 4.8 million people (more than 15% of the labour force) is self-employed, and it’s something younger generations are continuing.

Stratagem Financial Planning have provided 8 things entrepreneurs can do to improve their financial resilience.

1. Make the most of tax allowances

Managing your tax bill can help your money go further. As an entrepreneur, there may be additional tax allowances you can make use of now or in the future.

2. Set up a pension and make regular contributions

Opening a pension and making regular contributions is a great first step to building long-term financial resilience. As well as your own contributions, your pension can also benefit from tax relief and will be invested to hopefully deliver growth over the long term.

Stratagem Financial Planning can help you create a retirement plan that suits your goals, and balances your spending now with the future.

3. Consider income protection

While on the subject of managing your income, how would you cope financially if you became too ill to work? While no one wants to think about being involved in an accident or having a long-term illness, it does happen.

Income protection policies can provide a regular income if you’re not able to work. You will need to pay regular premiums, but it means you can focus on recovering should something happen to you.

4. Review whether critical illness cover is right for you

As well as income protection, you may also want to consider critical illness cover.

5. Set personal goals

When you’re building up connections or starting a business, it can be easy for that to become your sole focus. However, personal goals are just as important and can help you live a more fulfilling life.

Personal finance goals, like being able to pay off your mortgage or retire early, can provide motivation and ensure you have a clear direction for life outside of work.

6. Review your budget

As you’ll be responsible for your income, understanding your budget is crucial. The questions below can help you track your cash flow and make informed decisions about your spending:

  • How much are you making?
  • Does your income vary?
  • What are your essential expenses?
  • How much are you saving regularly?

7. Don’t neglect your emergency fund

How much you should hold in an emergency fund will depend on your commitments and other assets. A rule of thumb is to have three to six months of expenses in a readily accessible account.

8. Set up regular financial reviews

Finally, over time your goals and financial circumstances will change. Regular financial reviews can help ensure the steps you’re taking are still appropriate and support your wider goals.

To create a financial plan that will include frequent reviews to make sure you remain on track, please contact Stratagem Financial Planning.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available.

Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Levels, bases of and reliefs from taxation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax planning.

Need more information?

Please note, whilst we as Chartered Accountants offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business, we are not financial advisors. We work with the award winning team of financial advisors at Stratagem Financial Planning. We urge you to contact them for further guidance on this article.

Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.

By Katie Wealth Planning 0 Comments

Good retirement planning is about more than your pension and money

If you’re nearing retirement, you may be starting to think about planning the next stage of your life, so, what should retirement planning include?

Stratagem Financial Planning have laid out five questions that you should think about as you approach retirement. They can also help you get the most out of the financial planning process by ensuring your aspirations are at the heart of any decisions you make.

1. What are you looking forward to in retirement?

If you’re nearing retirement, you may be excited about the next stage of your life. Setting out what it is you’re looking forward to can help you make decisions that are right for you.

According to the Great British Retirement Survey from interactive investor, 49% of people that haven’t yet retired are looking forward to greater freedom and 42% see retirement as an opportunity for a new business or hobbies.

3 in 10 people still working think their life will improve when they retire. Pinpointing what it is that will make retirement an exciting milestone for you is crucial.

2. How will you fill your days when you retire?

While you may have big plans for your retirement, it can be easy to overlook the day-to-day when you set out your lifestyle.

3. How will you maintain social connections in retirement?

Work can play a pivotal role in your social life. So, when you retire, it can leave a gap.

4. What will give you purpose in retirement?

Much like filling your days, retiring can pose a challenge for some retirees if they feel like they’ve lost their purpose and drive when giving up work.

According to an Aegon report, just 4 in 10 people think about what gives their life joy and purpose.

Considering your driving force is a useful exercise at any point in your life and reviewing this as you retire is an important task.

5. Do you have any concerns about retirement?

While you may be looking forward to retirement, it’s natural to have some concerns too.

From worries about your finances to being anxious about the lifestyle change, thinking about your concerns is as important as setting out what you’re looking forward to.

It means you can address any worries that you have and put a plan in place to deal with them. By being proactive, you can really focus on enjoying your retirement to the fullest.

Using your lifestyle goals to shape your financial decisions.

By combining lifestyle and finances when you’re retirement planning, you can have confidence in the decisions you make. Please contact Stratagem Financial Planning to discuss your retirement and the lifestyle you’re looking forward to.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

Need more information?

Please note, whilst we as Chartered Accountants offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business, we are not financial advisors. We work with the award winning team of financial advisors at Stratagem Financial Planning. We urge you to contact them for further guidance on this article.

Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.