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Government overhauls audit regime
The Government has published a response to its consultation on strengthening audits, corporate reporting and corporate governance systems. The long-awaited response outlines the Government’s plans to tackle dominance of large auditors, ban failing ones and bring unlisted companies under the scope of the regulator. The current Financial Reporting Council will also be replaced by a […]
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National Insurance threshold increases
The Government is increasing the threshold at which workers start to pay National Insurance contributions (NICs) by £12,570 this month – the largest increase in a basic rate threshold. The increase in the threshold means workers can earn an extra £2,690 before having to pay NICs. The change also brings the NIC and income tax […]
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Taxpayers not ready for Making Tax Digital
People are unprepared and unenthusiastic for Making Tax Digital (MTD), according to a survey commissioned by HMRC. Global market research group Ipsos recently released data suggesting “awareness of MTD in general, and MTD for income tax self-assessment (ITSA) specifically was low”. MTD ITSA will require people with annual business or property income above £10,000 to […]
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Recovery loan scheme comes to an end
The Government’s flagship Covid business recovery scheme officially came to an end late last month (30 June). The recovery loan scheme opened to applications on 6 April 2021 to help businesses cope with trade lost to the Covid pandemic. The scheme offered £1.06 billion to small businesses through almost 6,200 facilities, with the latest figures […]
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How does HMRC conduct reviews?
How to reduce penalties for accounting errors. HMRC recently announced new powers to investigate companies they suspect of evading taxes, so as a business owner, you might be worrying about what happens if your company comes under scrutiny. Even if you’ve played entirely by the rules, the stress of an investigation can be a lot […]
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How do changes to NICs affect you?
Spring Statement changes come into effect. As you may have heard, there are changes happening to National Insurance contributions (NICs). From 6 July, the new thresholds will come into effect. But what does that mean for you? As a self-employed worker, you will already pay your National Insurance differently to that of an employee. But […]
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National Insurance and dividend 1.25% uplift underway
The Government has at last increased National Insurance (NI) and dividend tax by 1.25 percentage points after months of anticipation. The 1.25% uplift came into effect on 6 April 2022 and will apply until April 2023, after which a separate health and social care levy will apply on peoples’ income at 1.25%. The Government said […]
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New law to resolve Covid rent debt
The Government has set up an arbitration system to help resolve outstanding commercial rent debts as the general moratorium on commercial eviction ends. From 25 March, a legally binding arbitration process is available for eligible landlords and tenants who have not yet reached an agreement. The Government hopes this will resolve disputes about pandemic-related rent […]
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IR35 reform landing period ends
Penalties now apply to businesses that make mistakes under new IR35 rules for the private sector. The Government extended the off-payroll working rules reform to the private sector in April 2021, but promised to be lenient on mistakes in the first year. The landing period has now ended, so employers caught within the reformed IR35 […]
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The importance of estate planning
We are all somewhat used to living with economic doom and gloom at present, from sky-high inflation rates to tax rises being splashed across the news headlines. But recent analysis from the Office of Budget Responsibility shows that you may also get stung harder after you are gone. They estimate that HMRC inheritance tax takings […]
