New tax break for married couples

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In this recently filmed interview David Cameron said:

“Marriage is a great institution and it helps to build good and strong societies so I think it’s right to back marriage properly in the Income Tax system – most other advanced industrial countries do and it and we should do it too.”

So on the eve of the Conservative Party Conference at the end of September, the Prime Minister began to unveil plans for a new allowance which will benefit an estimated 4 million married couples, including 15,000 in civil partnerships. It is aimed at those who are not in the higher tax-paying rate (so those couples with a taxable income of less than £42,285 in the tax year 2015-16) – so will benefit only those on a middle or lower income. Read more

Possible Reforms to Intestacy Rules

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Firstly we should mention that we are not solicitors and therefore you should seek professional advice (e.g. a solicitor) before making a will.

What we did want to report on, however, is that the Ministry of Justice is proposing some changes to the intestacy rules governing England and Wales. The changes would affect the scenario in which a person with no children dies leaving no valid will. Currently the surviving spouse or civil partner receives the personal possessions, £450k and half of anything over that amount, with the remaining half going to the parents, or to siblings if there are no living parents, or the siblings’ offspring if the deceased’s siblings are also deceased.  The proposed new rules would instead mean that the surviving spouse or civil partner would inherit the whole estate.

But that is only if the deceased has no children. If they have children then other rules currently apply and changes are being suggested in relation to those too. Read more

HMRC now see payments you receive via credit card!

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On September 1st 2013 new legislation kicked in which allows HMRC automatic access to data showing payments made to businesses via credit card, going back as long as 4 years. HMRC will receive this information direct from the companies who process credit card payments on behalf of businesses (‘merchant acquirers’).

No personal data identifying the card owners, nor the credit card numbers, will be supplied as part of the data — it will primarily show the quantity of transactions and values credited to any particular business via credit card. On its own this may reap £50 million per annum in otherwise ‘lost’ tax revenue and the exercise will be helped by HMRC’s ‘Connect’ system which compares data coming in from various sources and cross-refers for consistency. The scheme’s implementation has been aided by a £1 billion budget given to HMRC aimed at tackling tax evasion and fraud.

The new legislation is part of the Finance Act 2013 and is part of a major crackdown on tax evasion which overall costs the taxpayer £9 billion a year Read more

New brochure available for download

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Taxfile's BrochureHave you ever wondered what other services the Taxfile group can help you with? Well, find all the answers in the new downloadable brochure, which outlines services undertaken at the various different offices in both South London and Exeter, Devon. From accountancy and bookkeeping for SMBs to simple tax returns for individuals and right through to the most complex of complicated tax issues – we’re here to help and the new brochure gives you all the contact details for each office including address, email, telephone, Skype ID, how to book appointments on-line and, finally, what discounts are available – both to new and existing customers – it’s all there … or rather I should say … it’s all here! (A4 PDF format, less than 1MB).

£10/day penalty

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HMRC is collecting £10 per day every day from workers who have failed to file their returns on time, Since May 1, officials at HM Revenue and Customs have been thrashing 650,000 late filers with a £10-a-day fine.

Many of those affected are likely to be the self-employed, higher earners with savings and landlords and pensioners make up the rest. Many may not even owe any tax, but have simply failed to file a return to prove their earnings. Their tax returns were originally due on January 31 this year, covering their finances for the 2010-2011 tax years. But after missing the original deadline, and picking up an initial £100 fine, they must now pay a flat £10 a day on top for every further delay of 24 hours.

If they have not filed by the end of July, that bill will stand at £900 – when they will then face yet another penalty, this time for £300.  The tougher rules will even affect those who do not owe a penny to the taxman. Read more

Back Taxes: Filing Late Tax Returns

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A  record 9.45 million Self Assessment tax returns were filed on time this year, and a record 7.65 million (80.9 per cent of them were filed online, as per HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).This means that for the first time in seven years 90.4 per cent of taxpayers met the deadline – an increase of four per cent (700,000 returns) on last year. In fact, it’s the highest on-time filing result since HMRC was created.

Although the 31 January deadline was unchanged, HMRC announced that no penalties would be issued for online returns received by midnight on 2 February, due to industrial action at HMRC contact centres. This year’s record numbers show an increase from last year, when around 6.9 million people had filed online by 31 January. The proportion filing online last year was 78 per cent.

James Cross, General Manager of Taxfile, a South London based Tax Accountant said ‘’our extended opening times and constant reminders to clients about the deadline and penalties resulted in a record number of tax returns filed by us in our 16 years of business!’’

With changes to SA penalties this year, everyone who did not file on time will receive a £100 penalty, which increases through the year. Read more

Private tutors & coaches with undeclared tax liabilities

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The Tax Catch up Plan (TCP) is for people with any undeclared income, from tuition and coaching as a main or secondary income, on which the correct tax has not been issued. This is a great opportunity for a large number of South London residents who supply tuition in traditional subjects; instruction or coaching, fitness and dance instruction, musical instrument tuition, art, services provided by life coaches and others.

Under the plan, tutors and coaches have until 31 March 2012 to come forward and tell HMRC about their outstanding tax for the years up to 5 April 2010, and pay what they owe. The plan makes it easy for customers to put their tax affairs in order and keep them on the right track in the future.

Those who come forward by the deadline are likely to receive the best possible terms for paying the tax owed. If they have to pay a penalty, it is unlikely to be more than 20 per cent of the unpaid tax. Conversely, those who wait for HMRC to come to them will find that they have to pay much higher penalties, or even face criminal prosecution. After 31 March, using information pulled together from different sources, HMRC will investigate those who have chosen not to come forward.

The Head of HMRC’s campaign explains it as follows; “We are using various intelligence sources to identify and then target those who do not take advantage of this opportunity to declare their full income. The message is clear: contact us before we contact you.”

The Tax Catch up Plan has two stages:

  • From 10 October 2011 to 6 January 2012, tutors/coaches/instructors must register with HMRC to “notify” them that they plan to make a voluntary tax disclosure.
  • By 31 March 2012 those who have registered to notify must tell HMRC what they owe and pay the tax, interest and penalties due.

Still confused about all these changes in the tax system? Taxfile’s tax accountants in South London are here to help for any doubts you might have. Visit their website or call them on 020 8761 8000 and find all the answers to your questions, and hands-on help if you need it.

Ministers of religion and their allowable expenses

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There are certain expenses that you can claim as a minister of religion as long as they are incurred wholly and exclusively for the duties of the office or employment.
• The cost of ministry journeys from one place of work to another.
• Also allowable are related costs of accommodation and meals.
• Maintenance, repairs and insurance of vicarage or manse
• A proportion of the cost of lighting, heating, cleaning and maintaining of premises where you live.
• A proportion of rental cost if part of the house is used mainly for work;
• Cost of postage, stationery;
• Cost of telephone calls where a deduction is made to cover personal calls;
• Cost of repair or replacement of robes worn for divine service;
• Communion expenses such as bread and wine;
• Subscriptions to professional bodies approved by HMRC;
• Secretarial assistance cost;
• Books used in the conduct of services or preparation of sermons;
• Work-related training;
• Reasonable entertaining costs for official visits from clergy or officers of the church;
• Temporary cover cost known as locum tenens.
For more information about taxation of ministers of religion you could visit HMRC.

PBR 2009 and the taxpayer

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The 2009 Pre-Budget Report was published on 9 December 2009. The Report covers a lot of issues but we will only focus on the ones affecting self employed individuals.

According to the Pre-Budget Report 2009, the tax rates and thresholds for the year ended on 5th April 2011 will remain the same as the ones for the current tax year. The same principle will apply to National Insurance Contributions rates and thresholds in 2010/2011.

But “for the tax year 2011/12, in addition to the 0.5% increases to rates already announced at PBR 2008, the Chancellor has announced that there will be a further 0.5% increase to those rates, making a 1% increase in total from 6 April 2011. The primary threshold and lower profits limit will be increased by £570 to compensate the lowest earners.”(HM Revenue and Customs).

The Child element when calculating the CTC entitlement will increase from the current £2235 p.a. to £2300 p.a while the disabled elements will increase by 1.5%.

Also, all elements of the WTC (except the childcare element) will increase by 1.5% in 2010/2011.

The income threshold for those claiming CTC rises from 2010/2011 to £16,190.

The inheritance tax threshold will be frozen at the current level of £325,000 from the tax year 2010/2011.

For any other details to do with the Pre-Budget Report 2009 please visit HMRC.

Taxfile: Barristers and Tax

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As a barrister you are treated as self employed by HM Revenue and Customs.

Historically barristers computed their professional profits for tax purposes on a “cash basis.”

Fees were brought into account only when received, and expenses only when paid.

From fiscal year 1999/00, it is required that all professionals including most barristers to compute their profits on a “true and fair view.”

Barristers in their first seven years of practice are still allowed to use the cash basis.

In computing their profits for tax purposes, barristers can deduct certain expenses like:

• Travelling costs from Chambers to court;

• Off street parking;

• Library and periodical subscriptions;

• Postage, printing, photocopying and stationary;

• Professional and accountancy fees;

• Devilling fees

• Chambers’ rent;

• Legal literature;

• Professional Indemnity Insurance premiums;

• Subscriptions (Circuit, Bar Council, Bar Associations)

• Bank charges;

• Use of home as an office;

• Robing room fees;

• Law report subscriptions;

• Staff costs;

• Silk application fees;

• Clothing and cleaning.

According to HMRC, “You should allow a deduction in computing profits for the cost of replacing gowns and wigs and frock coats worn by Queen’s Counsel. You should not, however, allow a deduction for expenditure on `normal clothes’, for example, black coats and pin- stripe trousers worn by male barristers or black dresses and suits worn by female barristers (this follows the decision in Mallalieu v Drummond”

Taxfile‘s tax agents will ensure you keep the necessary records of your income and expenditure and you make the right adjustments with regards the to private use of your expenditure.

Also, our tax accountants in South London and Exeter will make sure you obtain the maximum available tax deduction when calculating your taxable profits.