Escaping the HICBC
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) is a tax which claws back child benefit where the recipient or their partner has adjusted net income of £60,000 or more in the tax year. The charge is equal to 1% of…
Category Uncategorized
Using your ISA allowance in 2026/27
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are tax-free savings accounts. There are four different types of ISAs: Individuals must be at least 18 to invest in an ISA. Cash ISAs may be with a bank or building society or with National Savings…
Taking a dividend before 6 April 2026
As the tax year draws to a close, directors of personal and family companies should consider whether it is worthwhile paying a dividend before 6 April 2026. However, it is only possible to pay a dividend where the company has sufficient…
New property tax rates
Unincorporated landlords pay income tax on the profits of their property rental business. This is currently at the normal income tax rates. However, this is set to change from 6 April 2027 when property income will have its own tax…
Using the VAT flat rate scheme
The VAT flat rate scheme is a simplified flat rate scheme which can be used by smaller businesses to save work. Under the scheme, businesses pay a set percentage of their VAT inclusive turnover to HMRC rather than the difference…
What to do if you cannot pay your tax bill
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, you may find that come 31 January 2025 you are struggling to pay your Self Assessment tax bill. If this is the case, it is important that you do not bury…
Tax-efficient Christmas parties and gifts
Employers looking to spread some seasonal cheer can do so in a tax-efficient manner by taking advantage of the exemptions for annual parties and functions and trivial benefits. Christmas parties The tax exemption for annual parties and functions will only…
Should you dispose of old documents?
Over the past few years, tax enquiries aimed at identifying and correcting errors or deliberate under-reporting in tax returns have increased. HMRC generates substantial revenue from all compliance activities and although the exact proportion relating to tax enquiries is not…
Realistic scam letters – how to check if a letter purporting to be from HMRC is genuine
Scammers are becoming increasingly adept at fooling people and a favoured tactic is a letter, a text or an email purporting to be from HMRC, often promising a tax refund in exchange for personal and financial data. During the summer,…
UK tax treatment of rent from overseas properties
A person who is resident and domiciled in the UK is liable to UK tax on their worldwide income. Consequently, if they have overseas property that they rent out, any rental profits are taxable in the UK. Separate overseas property…