Good news about Making Tax Digital(MTD)

Making Tax Digital Postponed July 2017

We have some excellent news – Making Tax Digital(MTD), the coming burden that many self-employed people were unaware of, has been postponed until at least 2020 (and hopefully permanently.) While improving systems and more up-to-date data for small businesses is recommended, there were many issues with MTD and the original timeline. As I reported back […]

HMRC 31st July 2017 Payments on Account

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The end of July marks another tax deadline – for paying the second instalment towards your 2016/17 tax liability. If you are required to make payments on account then these are calculated as 50% of your 2016 tax liability each. The first payment made by 31st January 2017 will always be estimated as it is […]

Finance Bill Changes

Finance-Bill-changes-2017

Due to the upcoming election, several sections were dropped from the finance bill so that it could pass through quickly. There are quite a few sections that have been dropped, we will have to wait and see if they are reinstated after the election. The top four sections likely to affect those who are running […]

It’s time to complete your 2017 HMRC personal tax return

2017-SA100-Time-to-complete-the-2017-personal-tax-return

Now that the new tax year has started, you can commence preparation of your 2016/17 personal tax return. The 2017 tax return covers income and expenses in the year to 5th April 2017. Although the first deadline isn’t until October, preparing the return as soon as the information is available is to be recommended: 1) […]

Daily fines for a late 2016 tax return are approaching

Daily-fines-for-a-late-2016-tax-return-are-approaching

People may think that the fine for a late 2016 tax return is £100… but in fact it can actually be £1600 or more. The fine applies even if you have a overpayment of tax for the year – it is quite normal to see that tax refund you would have been entitled to disappear […]

Time to invest in your business equipment

As the 2016/17 tax year draws to a close on 5th April 2017, now is the time to review whether you should replace any existing equipment. If you purchase new equipment now then you will receive tax relief straightaway in the accounts for the year to 5th April 2017 – meaning that your tax bill […]

Dividend tax changes from April 2018

Dividend-Allowance-Changes-for-2018

Back in April 2016 the tax on dividends changed, however as the 2017 tax returns have yet to be prepared there is a good chance that a large number of people don’t know about the last change – let alone the next one coming in from April next year. In April 2016 people were entitled […]

Changes to Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance in 2018

Changes to Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance in 2018

Last week we had details announced about changes to both Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance, to take effect from April 2018. However, this has now been revised from the National Insurance changes were announced back in March 2016, and were expected to come through. Rather than have two separate classes of National Insurance […]

2017 Spring Budget #Budget2017

Spring-Budget-2017-Budget2017

Yesterday saw the Spring Budget 2017, with several updates affecting the self-employed: Making Tax Digital(MTD) A welcome postponement of the introduction date was announced – for those who are below the VAT threshold, the first time they will have to use MTD will be from April 2019. This will allow a year for the systems […]

HMRC MTD Update February 2017

HMRC-MTD-News-February-2017

We finally have some more details about MTD from HMRC, although some other details are still to be confirmed. Who will be affected by Making Tax Digital(MTD)? At present there are only two groups of people who will be affected: 1) Those with rental profits above £10,000pa* 2) Those who have self-employed income above £10,000pa* […]

Missed the 2016 tax return deadline?

2016 personal tax return deadline January 2017

2016 tax returns should have been submitted to HMRC by 31st January 2017 – unfortunately returns that have not been submitted will be due to pay a minimum of a £100 fine. In addition, if there is any tax due then interest is already running… To add to the issues, HMRC will add a further […]

taxhelp.uk.com finalist in the 2017 Surrey Digital Awards

James-McBrearty-finalist-in-the-2017-Surrey-Digital-Awards

The finalists have just been announced for the 2017 Surrey Digital Awards… I’m pleased to announce that taxhelp.uk.com has made the list, for the third year running now. Winners will be announced at a presentation evening on Thursday 9 March at The HG Wells Conference & Events Centre in Woking. Sponsors for the 2017 awards […]