Capital or debt?
01/03/2021What is the difference between capital and debt, and why is the distinction important?
One important distinction is that capital represents the amount of funds introduced by shareholders, partners or sole traders plus any retained profits that the business has created at any particular date. Debt on the other hand is a liability, an...
More...What is pensions credit?
01/03/2021Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it’s below £173.75 (for single people) or £265.20 (for couples). You may still be eligible if you have savings, a pension or your own home.
Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who...
More...Claiming Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grants
24/02/2021Under the third Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant, claimants received up to 80% of average trading profits for November and December 2020, and January 2021. This meant that a maximum grant for the three months of £7,500 was made available to those who met the eligibility requirements. The claim window for this grant has...
More...Inheritance Tax - tax-free gifts
24/02/2021We wanted to remind our readers of the Inheritance Tax (IHT) implications of making cash gifts during the current tax 2020-21 tax year that ends on 5 April 2021.
You can give away up to £3,000 worth of gifts each tax year. This is known as your annual exemption. Any unused part of the annual exemption can be carried forward, but only for...
More...Capital Gains Tax exemptions
24/02/2021As with Income Tax personal allowances, taxpayers have an annual exempt amount for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) which is forfeited if not used. The annual exemption for individuals in 2020-21 is £12,300. A husband and wife each have a separate exemption. This also applies to civil partners who are treated in the same way as married couples for...
More...Government to publish range of tax consultations
24/02/2021In a recent HM Treasury press release it has been confirmed that the government will publish a number of tax-related consultations and calls for evidence at the end of March. These consultations would usually be published on Budget day but instead will be published on 23 March. This will allow more time for these consultations to be...
More...VAT Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme
24/02/2021Businesses that use the flat rate scheme pay VAT as a fixed percentage of their VAT inclusive turnover. The VAT Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme is a variant of the flat rate scheme specifically designed for farmers and other activities relating to agricultural production (such as horticulture).
Farmers cannot join this scheme if the value...
More...Outcome of the Uber case
24/02/2021The Supreme Court has handed down a landmark judgement in the Uber case. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the decisions of earlier courts and has found that Uber drivers are ‘workers’ and not self-employed as Uber has tried to argue.
The decision of the Supreme Court as the final court of appeal in the UK marks the end of the case...
More...Tax Diary March/April 2021
24/02/20211 March 2021 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 May 2020.
2 March 2021 - Self-assessment tax for 2019/20 paid after this date will incur a 5% surcharge.
19 March 2021 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 March 2021. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 March 2021)
19 March 2021 -...
More...Emerging from lockdown
22/02/2021The Prime Minister has set out the government’s objectives for easing lockdown restrictions.
If the planned opening of schools, social interactions and businesses is achieved without significant increases in infection, after 21st June 2021, there will be no legal limits on social contact. Which means, all businesses including hospitality...
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