Beware online rip-offs

Option to tax (VAT) land and buildings

There are special VAT rules that allow businesses to standard rate the supply of most non-residential and commercial land and buildings (known as the option to tax). This means that subsequent supplies by the person making the option to tax will be

Car fuel benefits for employees

The car fuel benefit rules only apply to company cars that attract a car benefit tax charge. This means the rules do not apply to fuel provided for use in an employee’s own car.

However, employers can pay up to 45p per mile for company related trips

Paying tax underpayments via tax code

One of the less well-known ways of paying your Self-Assessment tax bill is to do so through your tax code.

This can only be done where all the following apply:

you owe a Self-Assessment balancing payment of less than £3,000;
you already pay tax

How to join MTD ITSA pilot

Some businesses and agents are already keeping digital records and providing updates to HMRC as part of a live pilot to test and develop the MTD for ITSA. Under the pilot, qualifying landlords and sole traders (or their agents) can use software to

Preparing a charity annual return

The Charity Commission requires that charities registered in England or Wales must send an annual return to report their income and expenditure. The deadline for charities with a standard 12-month accounting period ending on 31 December 2021 is 31

Donations to overseas charities

Taxpayers who make donations to charities in other countries can qualify for tax relief in the UK under certain circumstances. This means that UK charitable tax reliefs are available to certain organisations which are the equivalent of UK charities

Support with rising energy bills

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak delivered a statement to the House of Commons on 3 February 2022 announcing a number of measures to help people cope with fast rising energy costs.

Record increases will see a 54% jump in the energy price cap from 1 April

19% fail to file on time

HMRC has confirmed that more than 10.2 million people submitted their 2020-21 Self-Assessment tax returns by the 31 January deadline. This leaves over 2.3 million taxpayers or 19% that have missed the deadline and are yet to file. Are you among those

Extending MTD for Income Tax to businesses and landlords

The introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) is now set to commence from April 2024. MTD for ITSA will fundamentally change the way businesses, the self-employed and landlords interact with HMRC. The regime will

Charging charities at lower rates of VAT

There are special rules, under which a VAT-registered business can sell certain goods and services to charities at the zero or reduced rate of VAT. Before charging VAT at a lower rate, you must be able to show evidence that the charity is eligible.

Working for yourself

Newly self-employed taxpayers should notify HMRC as soon as practicable when they begin working for themselves. However, HMRC must be officially notified by 5 October following the end of the tax year so that a Self-Assessment return can be issued on

Employing for the first time

There are a multitude of rules and regulations that you must be aware of when you start employing staff for the first time.

HMRC’s guidance sets out important issues to be aware of when becoming an employer.

Decide how much to pay someone – you

IHT – limitations on spouse or civil partner exemptions

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax that is levied on a person’s estate when they die and can also be payable during a person’s lifetime on certain trusts and gifts. The rate of Inheritance Tax payable is 40% on death and 20% on lifetime gifts. There is

Income Tax set-off of rental business losses

Where a property business makes a loss, the loss can usually be carried forward and set against future rental business profits. HMRC’s guidance is clear that any losses made in one rental business cannot be carried across to any other rental business