News
It’s important to be up-to-date, HMRC is constantly evolving.
We continuously research and update our knowledge. As part of that, we share our insights and findings. Read our news articles; we hope you will find useful information.
If you have any questions or enquires, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Latest News
The State Pension – will you qualify?
To receive the new state pension you have to have paid a minimum of 10 years National Insurance Contributions (NIC). To receive the full state pension, you need to have paid in for at least 35 qualifying years. Qualifying years don’t have to be paid consecutively, so...
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Tax benefits of being married
Since the Valentines day is only a few days away, I thought it is the perfect time to highlight some of the tax advantages of being married. Inheritance Tax (‘IHT’) IHT is charged at 40pc on estates that are worth more than £325,000. If you are married or in a civil...
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Businesses urged to prepare for post-Brexit Customs Declarations
HMRC is urging VAT-registered UK businesses which trade exclusively with the EU to be prepared for a no deal Brexit. In a letter sent to 145,000 affected businesses, HMRC explains changes to Customs, Excise and VAT procedures in the ‘unlikely event’ that the UK leaves...
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MTD for VAT – pilot extended to all eligible businesses
HMRC has extended its Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV) pilot scheme to all eligible businesses. For most businesses, compliance with the regulations is mandated for VAT return periods beginning on or after 1 April 2019. However, MTDfV for some ‘more complex’...
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Budget Key Tax Highlights
The Chancellor Philip Hammond presented his second Autumn Budget on Monday 29 October 2018. In his speech he stated that ‘austerity is coming to an end - but discipline will remain’. He also promised a ‘double deal dividend’ if the Brexit negotiations are successful...
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HMRC warning: time to declare offshore assets
HMRC is warning that taxpayers could face penalties if they fail to declare their income on foreign assets before new ‘Requirement to Correct’ legislation comes into force. HMRC is urging UK taxpayers to come forward and declare any foreign income or profits on...
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Xitax Accounting Solutions
A recent Low Pay Commission (LPC) report sets out its findings on the number of people being paid less than the statutory minimum wage.
The LPC found that, in April 2018, 439,000 workers were paid less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW). Of this amount, 369,000 were employees aged 25 and over, who were paid less than the National Living Wage (NLW), an increase from previous years. On 1 April 2019, the NMW and NLW rates rose to the hourly rates detailed below:
Minimum wage rate - hourly rate from 1 April 2019:
National Living Wage (for workers aged 25 and over) £8.21
21-24 year-old rate £7.70
18-20 year-old rate £6.15
16-17 year-old rate £4.35
Apprentice rate £3.90
The LPC also revealed that women are 'more likely' than men to be paid less than the NMW, and that underpayment is common amongst younger and older workers. In addition, underpayment was more common in certain sectors including hospitality, retail, cleaning, maintenance and childcare.
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The government has launched a consultation on proposed reforms at Companies House, including a 'major upgrade' of its register.
The consultation aims to tackle misuse of the register. It also strives to provide business owners with 'greater protection from fraud'.
The consultation seeks views on a series of reforms to limit the risk of misuse:
Knowing who is setting up, managing and controlling companies
Improving the accuracy and usability of data on the companies register
Protecting personal information on the register
Ensuring compliance, sharing intelligence and other measures to deter abuse of corporate entities
The consultation is open until 5 August 2019.
A capital gains tax (CGT) exemption applies when an individual disposes of a dwelling that has been used as their only or main residence under the Private Residence Relief (PRR) rules. The exemption applies as long as the relevant conditions are met throughout the total period of ownership. This relief is supplemented by ancillary reliefs that aim to deal with other related situations.
The government has previously announced and legislated to reform two of the ancillary reliefs to better target PRR at owner-occupiers. The reliefs which are being amended are:
The final period exemption will be reduced from 18 months to nine months, although the special rules that give those with a disability, and those in care, an exemption of 36 months will not change
Lettings relief will be reformed so that it only applies where an owner is in shared occupancy with a tenant.
These changes will take effect from 6 April 2020. The government is now consulting on the changes in more detail and on how they will work in practice. It also invites views on some technical aspects of the PRR rules.
The forms P11D which report details of benefits and some expenses provided to employees and directors for the year ended 5 April 2019, are due for submission to HMRC by 6 July 2019. The process of gathering the necessary information and completing the forms can take some time, so it is important that this process is not left to the last minute.
Employees pay tax on benefits provided as shown on the P11D, generally via a PAYE coding notice adjustment or through the self assessment system. Some employers 'payroll' benefits and in this case the benefits do not need to be reported on forms P11D but employers should advise employees of the amount of benefits payrolled.
In addition, regardless of whether the benefits are being reported via P11D or payrolled the employer has to pay Class 1A National Insurance Contributions at 13.8% on the provision of most benefits. The calculation of this liability is detailed on the P11D(b) form. The deadline for payment of the Class 1A NIC is 19th July 2019 (or 22nd for cleared electronic payment).
HMRC has produced an expenses and benefits toolkit. The toolkit consists of a checklist which may be used by advisers or employers to check they are completing the forms correctly.
If you would like any help with the completion of the forms or the calculation of the associated Class 1A NIC please get in touch.
Sheena Kaur FCCA
The current corporation tax rate is 19%. This rate will fall to 17% for the year beginning 1 April 2020.
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