To encourage pension savings, tax relief is available on contributions made to registered pension schemes. However, there are limits on the contributions that can qualify for relief, and punishing tax charges can apply if these limits are exceeded. Limit 1 – 100% of relevant earnings Tax relief on private pension contributions is capped at 100%…
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The VAT default surcharge is being replaced with a new VAT penalty and interest regime. The new rules apply to VAT accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. Late filing penalties The new penalty regime operates on a points-based system. Each VAT return received late, including nil and repayment returns, will receive one…
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If you need to file a self-assessment tax return for 2021/22, you must do this online by 31 January 2023 if you want to avoid a late filing penalty. However, if you received your notice to file a tax return after 31 October 2022, a later deadline applies; you must file the return within three…
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If you operate your business as a personal or family company, you will need to extract some or all of the profits if you wish to use them personally. When it comes to tax, not all profit extraction methods are equal. While personal circumstances will dictate the most efficient way for you to extract profits,…
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Inflation is at a ten-year high and the ensuing cost of living crisis means that many people may be struggling to pay the tax that they owe. If this is you, what can you do about it? While it may be tempting to bury your head in the sand and hope that the bill will…
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No-one wants to pay more tax than they need to. Consequently, it is important to keep good records of business expenses so that deductible expenses are not overlooked. General rule The basic rule is that a deduction is allowed for expenses incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the trade, profession or vocation. Unlike…
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If their profits are high enough, the self-employed pay two classes of National Insurance contribution – Class 2 and Class 4. Class 2 contributions are flat rate contributions of £3.15 per week for 2022/23. It is the payment of Class 2 contributions that enables a self-employed earner to build up entitlement to the state pension…
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The corporation tax rules are changing from 1 April 2023, and the amount that a company will pay will depend on the level of its profits, and also whether or not it has any associated companies. Briefly, from 1 April 2023, companies with profits below the lower limit will pay corporation tax at the small…
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Although the National Insurance rates and thresholds for 2022/23 had already been set, at the time of the Spring Statement in March 2022, the Chancellor announced increases in the primary threshold which would align the starting point for National Insurance with the personal allowance from 6 July 2022. However, as the increase does not take…
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Under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT, VAT-registered traders must keep electronic records and file their VAT returns electronically using software that is compatible with MTD for VAT. Prior to 1 April 2022, MTD for VAT was only mandatory for VAT-registered traders whose turnover for VAT purposes was above the VAT registration threshold of £85,000.…
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