Do I need to file a personal tax return for 2019?
The 2018/19 personal tax year ended on 5th April and we are now in the 2019/20 tax year. Every year we are asked the same thing – ‘Do I need to fill in a tax return?’. Here is…
What does my tax code mean? 2019/20 edition
What exactly do all the numbers and letters in my tax code mean? And what do I do if I think it’s wrong? HMRC generate your tax code based on the information that they hold about you and…
Pension contributions change from April 2019
Auto enrolment pension contribution rates will rise from April 2019. Currently, the minimum pension contributions to an auto enrolment pension scheme is 5% of qualifying earnings, with at least 2% of that coming from the employer. From 6th…
How much will that Christmas gift really cost?
Thinking of giving a business gift for Christmas? It’s almost that time of year again when we hang the lights and decorate the tree, and you might be considering giving a Christmas gift or treat to your team…
Autumn Budget 2018
The Chancellor has today announced his Autumn Budget 2018 saying that ‘austerity ends’. Government finances are in a better state than expected and there are more treats than tricks in this announcement. The Budget covers a wide scope,…
Do I need to file a personal tax return for 2018?
There are just under four months to go before the tax returns for 2017/18 are due for filing and payment. Every year we are asked the same thing – ‘Do I need to fill in a tax return?’. …
Why you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to file your personal tax returns
Self-assessment personal tax returns for the 17/18 tax year are due for filing, along with any payment due, by 31st January 2019 at the latest. But why would anyone leave it that late to file it? You can file…
Potential dividend allowance cut could “clobber” small businesses
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been urged not to ‘clobber’ small business owners by taking away the Dividend Allowance. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern that the Chancellor will reduce the tax free dividend…
Auto-enrolment pensions spot checks are on the increase
The Pensions Regulator is increasing the amount of auto-enrolment spot checks it carries out, looking across Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Over the last 12 months it has concentrated its efforts in the larger cities of London,…
The number of sick people going into work is on the increase
According to new research from Reuters, people are going to work even if they’re sick, and it’s on the increase. The number of working days lost due to illness has fallen to it’s lowest ever rate, but that…