Do nil-rate band trusts still offer tax breaks?
14th February 2012
Four years ago a major change to the IHT rules meant that nil-rate band trusts became unfashionable. So if your will includes one, should you change it to remove the trust or can it still produce tax savings?
Changes to EU sales reporting
7th February 2012
If you're registered, your VAT return must include figures for EU purchases and sales, but you might also be required to provide EC sales list or Intrastat reports. When do these apply and how are they changing?
New era for tax investigations?
30th January 2012
The Taxman says that he's now taking a much harsher line in suspected cases of fraud. Surely that couldn't include you?
The Taxman's new task forces
24th January 2012
HMRC has launched five new investigation task forces with more to follow. They will carry out targeted tax enquiries. Who are these aimed at and how do they differ from normal investigations?
A new way to contact the Taxman
17th January 2012
The Taxman has at last agreed to accept e-mails, but only for VAT queries. What are the drawbacks and advantages to using this service?
Small gains mean zero tax
10th January 2012
Where your company sells some land it owns, you would expect tax to be payable on any gain it makes from the deal. However, in some cases you can cut the tax out of the equation. How is this possible?
Tax-free property investment
4th January 2012
When your young ones finish school and go off to college or university not only might you have to find money to meet their tuition fees, but you'll also have to pay for somewhere for them to live. A property investment may be the answer.
Rent your holiday home for tax purposes
21st December 2011
You own a holiday home, worth around £250,000, which you use for several weeks per year. How can you continue to make use of the property but shift it out of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes?
Sharing your income to save tax
21st December 2011
The current economic downturn has resulted in falling income for your family, and now your partner has been made redundant. Can you transfer some of your income to them and save some tax in the process?
Tax subsidised Christmas shopping trip
30th November 2011
You're attending a big trade fair and your spouse fancies coming along to go last-minute Christmas shopping in the nearby town. What proportion of the costs can your company claim as a tax deduction?
An IHT efficient gift of your holiday home
30th November 2011
It's nice to own a holiday home so you can take a break from the rat race when you want. But when your time comes the Taxman will charge Inheritance Tax (IHT) on what it's worth, which may leave your beneficiaries having to sell the property to pay his bill. The good news is that there's a simple way you can continue to use the property and avoid IHT.
VAT due on employee benefits from January
24th October 2011
It's taken over a year for the Taxman to decide what to do following the EU ruling regarding VAT on certain employee benefits. He's now issued guidance. What does this say and how should you implement the change?
How much of your pension fund will the Taxman get?
24th October 2011
You've built up a healthy pension fund and are looking forward to retirement. But if you don't survive long enough to make full use of it the Taxman can take a huge bite of what's left. What, if anything, can you do to mitigate this?
Taxman backs down on VAT flat-rate scheme
24th October 2011
The Institute of Taxation recently got took up the cudgels with the Taxman over incorrect guidance it has published. This might have caused businesses using the flat-rate scheme to wrongly pay VAT on investment income. What's the full story?
Avoiding IHT with QNUPS
24th October 2011
A friend told you that he intends to invest a chunk of his assets in a qualifying non-resident pension scheme (QNUPS) because the funds in them are beyond the Taxman's reach. Is he right?
Tax Calculations Are On The Way
24th October 2011
Last year the Taxman was forced to write off millions in tax because of the blunders he made. Bills for 2010/11 are on the way; can you expect a repeat performance?
A Company Tax Break for Capital Losses
6th October 2011
This years Finance Act included an important change to the rules on capital losses made by group companies. What was his and how can you be sure your company qualifies?
Dont Fall Into an NI Trap
6th October 2011
Two directors have been meeting the cost of business expenses out of their salary but theyve now found out that this could be costing them thousands a year in extra NI. Why is this and what's the alternative?
Tax-free Perks
6th October 2011
One of your suppliers has tickets to next year's Olympics, and has offered a few to you free of charge. Can the directors and employees of your company use these without getting hit with a tax bill?
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- Tax Issues (2)
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- Corporation Tax (1)
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- Inheritance Tax (5)
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