Dividend Tax – Allowance & Thresholds

If you’re a company director or own shares in a limited company, you may be liable to pay tax on any dividends paid out on your shares during the course of the relevant tax year. In this guide, we look at the rules relating to dividend tax, including the allowances and thresholds.   What is […]

How to Claim Terminal Loss Relief

If a company is operating at a loss, the difficult decision may need to be taken to close operations permanently. Still, even though the business will no longer be trading, it is important not to miss out on valuable tax relief that can often be overlooked. When it comes to the complexities of tax relief […]

Potentially Exempt Transfers & IHT Gift Rules

Potentially exempt transfers, also known as PETs, can be an effective way of maximising the amount of money that a person can leave to loved ones tax-free after they die, helping to minimise any liability to Inheritance Tax that will fall due on a deceased’s estate. Below we look at what PETs are, how these […]

Residence Nil Rate Band Guide

When it comes to inheritance tax, the residence nil rate band can be one of the best ways to minimise the amount of tax payable and maximise the value of an estate on death. In this guide, we explain what the residence nil rate band is, how it works in practice, how an estate qualifies […]

HMRC Starter Checklist For New Employees

Among your obligations as an employer when onboarding someone new is to ensure they are registered with HMRC for PAYE. If your new starter does not have a recent P45, you will need to make use of the HMRC starter checklist. In this guide for employers, we explain the different steps that you must follow […]

P11D Form: Employers’ Guide

Employers are under strict statutory obligations when it comes to declaring to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) what they pay to their employees by way of remuneration, including expenses and benefits in kind that form part of an employee’s salary package. The following article looks at the rules relating to submitting P11D forms to HMRC […]

Inheritance Tax Rates Guide

It is important to understand at least the basic rules relating to inheritance tax, including that the latest inheritance tax rates are and when the tax becomes payable. In this way, you can forward plan to help minimise any potential tax bill after you pass away, and maximise the value of your estate for your […]

How to Set Up a Family Trust

Setting up a family trust can be an effective way of controlling your personal assets during the course of your own lifetime and upon your death, ensuring that you have a say in exactly who benefits from your wealth. It can also be a good way of protecting and preserving that wealth for generations to […]

Payment on Account (Self Assessment Guide)

If you work for yourself, you will need to understand the self assessment tax rules. The following guide looks at the HMRC payment on account requirements. How are these advance payments calculated and can they be reduced? We also look at the penalties imposed by HMRC for either late returns or late or non payment […]

What are the Rules on Tax for Freelancers?

If you work as a freelancer, either full-time or in addition to any employed work, you will often be so busy keeping your clients and customers happy, that little time is left to consider your tax liabilities. The following comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the rules relating to Income Tax, National Insurance […]

Freelancer & Self Employed Sick Pay Rules

Working for yourself comes with many benefits but it can also have drawbacks. One of the biggest downsides is the lack of employment rights, especially when it comes to being unfit for work and claiming sick pay. In this guide, we explain the sick pay rules for self-employed and freelance workers and alternative forms of […]

How Does a Trust Protect Personal Assets – An Overview

When considering asset protection, there are many tools and paths open to you. One specific option is using a trust. Trusts have historically been used for the purpose of asset protection, but have also been linked with tax planning and often tax avoidance. Nowadays, the likelihood of tax avoidance through the use of a trust […]

What Are Benefits In Kind?

The use of benefits in kind by employers to compensate or reward employees is a well-established practice in the UK. These benefits very often form part of an overall salary package designed to attract and retain top talent. However, providing employees with non-cash benefits comes with certain statutory responsibilities to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). […]

Taxes for Expats: A Guide

Many British expats mistakenly believe that once they have left the UK to live overseas, they are no longer subject to UK tax, but the situation isn’t as clear cut or straightforward as that. An expat living abroad is still liable to pay taxes on any UK income they receive. Any obligation to pay UK […]

Non Doms Tax in the UK Rules

If you are UK tax resident but not domiciled in the UK, special rules apply to determine the basis upon which you pay UK tax. In this guide, we explain the rules on non doms and UK tax obligations.   Domicile   Your domicile is usually the country in which you officially have your permanent […]

Apprenticeship Levy Explained

The introduction of an apprenticeship levy has made a significant contribution to funding developments. The apprenticeship landscape has changed significantly over recent years, providing greater opportunities for individuals to combine work with study to gain skills and knowledge in a controlled environment, and for businesses to benefit from recruiting and developing talent. In this guide, […]

Corporation Tax & Trading Loss

If your company or business makes a loss from trading, the sale or other disposal of a capital asset, or on income from property, and it is liable to pay Corporation Tax, relief for corporation tax losses may be available. Tax relief for corporation tax losses is obtained by offsetting the loss against other profits […]

P45 Form (Employers’ Guide)

Employers play a crucial role in ensuring the PAYE system works effectively, especially when it comes to issuing a P45 when an employee leaves a job, or requesting a P45 when an employee starts a new job, and submitting the relevant starter and leaver information to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Below we set out […]

P60 Form Guide for Employers

As an employer running payroll, you have various year-end obligations, from sending your final payroll report to HMRC to giving each of your employees a P60. In this guide, we explain the rules relating to P60s, including what these are, who needs to be given one and when, how to issue a P60, what information […]

What is the Inheritance Tax on Property?

Inheritance tax relates to the estate left by a person when they die. This could be the amount of money they have, property they own or any other assets that belong to them. Gifts made during that person’s lifetime may also be affected by inheritance tax. There is generally no inheritance tax on property passed […]