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At this time of year we think about New Year’s resolutions and pension planning could be a great way. It is also a good time to start planning your tax affairs before the end of the tax year on 5th April.
Where possible taxpayers should “Gift Aid” any payments to charity to provide additional benefit to the charity. Higher rate taxpayers obtain additional tax relief on the grossed up amount donated.
For example, where an individual makes a £20 cash donation to charity the charity is able to reclaim a further £5 from HMRC making a gross gift of £25. Where the individual is a 40% higher rate taxpayer he or she is able to claim a further £5 tax relief under self-assessment, reducing the net cost of their donation to £15.
Note that the donor is required to make a declaration that they are a UK taxpayer and those that have not suffered sufficient UK tax to support the Gift Aid amount will taxed on the shortfall.
Remember that Gift Aid does not just apply to gifts of cash. Many charity shops will now sell donated items on your behalf and are able to treat the sale proceeds as Gift Aided donations. It is also possible to gift quoted securities and land and buildings to charity and claim Gift Aid on the market value
Have you thought about your Christmas gifts for employees yet? Remember that certain gifts to staff at Christmas are also tax free if structured correctly. Employers are allowed to provide their directors and employees with certain “trivial” benefits in kind tax free.
With more of us working from home there is good news from HMRC that employees can now make a claim for tax relief to cover some of their costs while they are working from home.
HMRC have announced that they will be imposing penalties of up to 100% of the amounts over claimed CJRS, SEISS and “eat out to help out” grants, on businesses during the coronavirus pandemic so make sure that your claims are correct.
An employee’s reference pay will depend upon whether or not they were on the payroll and subject to an RTI submission for 2019/20 on or before 19 March 2020. Where that is the case their reference pay will be that used under previous furlough claims.
We now have further details of the operation of the extension of Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme “furlough” grant that will apply from 1 November 2020 through to the end of March 2021.
The government will provide a voucher up to £5,000 that covers up to two-thirds of the cost of energy efficiency and low carbon heat improvements to your home. See which improvements are included in the scheme below.
Good news for the self-employed – the government announced yesterday it will increase support over the coming months with a Support Scheme Grant Extension. Please read below for more information.
With many of us now working remotely from home, making video conference calls, uploading documents and conducting business online, how can firms ensure that their data and systems are secure?
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is designed to provide support for self-employed individuals whose businesses have been adversely affected as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The government is providing up to four taxable grants to those who meet the eligibility conditions. Claims for the first grant are now closed. If you want to claim the second grant you must make your claim on or before 19 October 2020.You need to consider whether your business has been adversely (negatively) affected before you apply for the SEISS grants. You need to confirm that your business has been adversely affected as part of the claim process.
Diary of main tax events October / November 2020 – 1/10: Corporation tax for year to 31/12/19, unless quarterly instalments apply
This scheme is for lower income earners who cannot work from home and have lost income as a result. This is an NHS Test and Trace Support payment of £500 and applies to employees who are required to self-isolate.
Considering an electric company car? There is currently a zero P11d benefit for the drivers of electric cars in 2020/21. The legislation for this change is included in Finance Act 2020 which also states that the benefit will be 1% of list price in 2021/22 and then 2% in 2022/23.
Leaving the European Union: The United Kingdom leaves the European Union at 11pm on 31 December 2020 when the transitional period ends. It is still unclear whether a trade deal will have been agreed with the EU by that date, and such an agreement is looking increasingly unlikely.
In the current challenging trading environment, many firms are asking more and more of their team. As such, having an effective reward strategy has never been more important.
Virtual meetings: Over the course of the past few months, we have all had to adapt to working remotely. Despite lockdown restrictions, many businesses have found ways to move their operations online, with all staff working remotely.
For VAT purposes the definition of a motor car has been amended several times over the years. The current definition states: “Motor car” means any
The calculation of Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants has proven to be complex, particularly as HMRC frequently changed the rules and the method of computation. Consequently, many errors have arisen and need to be corrected. The latest Finance Act requires employers to notify HMRC within 90 days where it turns out that they were not entitled to receive the furlough grants and there is a penalty for failure to notify them.
1/08
Corporation tax for year to 31/10/19 (unless pay quarterly)
Although the temporary increase in the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) threshold to £500,000 was aimed at those buying their main residence, it also benefits those buying a second or subsequent property where there is a 3% supplementary charge.
When the Chancellor announced a temporary cut in the rate of VAT for the hospitality sector and attractions in his Summer Statement on 8 July there were a number of areas that needed clarification. The reduction applies to supplies made between 15 July 2020 and 12 January 2021.
Bringing your employees back from furlough is not a straightforward process. As furloughed employees begin to return to work, business owners and managers need to consider both the practical and emotional aspects of returning to “normal”
Please see our list of maint tax events for July/August 2020: 01/07 Corporation tax for year to 30/9/19 (unless pay quarterly).