As we close the books on December and January, Tax Affinity Accountants couldn’t be prouder of the incredible results we delivered for our clients during this crucial period. The Self Assessment deadline for HMRC has come and gone, and once again, our clients are experiencing the benefits of working with a team that not only meets deadlines but ensures the best possible tax outcomes. Our firm’s dedication to providing personalized, efficient, and effective tax services has proven to be invaluable during one of the busiest times of the year.
The numbers are in, and we’ve exceeded expectations across the board. With the highest number of referrals in our history, we are humbled by the trust our clients continue to place in us. Our reputation for delivering outstanding results has never been stronger, and as a result, more and more people are turning to Tax Affinity Accountants for expert guidance on how to save on taxes and maximize their hard-earned money. In this post, we’ll explore how Tax Affinity Accountants rose to the occasion during the Self Assessment season, the satisfaction our clients enjoyed, and why now is the perfect time to consider switching to a tax team that actually understands your needs and can put you on the path to better tax outcomes. The HMRC Self Assessment Deadline: A Busy Period for Accountants and Taxpayers Alike The Self Assessment tax return deadline for HMRC is one of the most significant dates in every freelancer, contractor, sole trader, and small business owner’s calendar. As many people know, the 31st of January is the final day for submitting tax returns for the previous financial year, and the stress of meeting that deadline can be overwhelming. With penalties for late submissions and the risk of costly errors, it’s no surprise that many individuals and businesses turn to professional accountants for help. This past December and January, our team at Tax Affinity Accountants worked tirelessly to ensure that our clients’ tax returns were submitted accurately and on time. Our expert accountants handled a wide range of complex scenarios, from straightforward self-assessments to more intricate tax situations involving multiple income streams, investments, property portfolios, and international tax issues. Regardless of the complexity, we ensured that all our clients received tailored advice and support to help them navigate the Self Assessment process with ease. Our clients benefit from the comprehensive knowledge we have of current tax laws, and we worked diligently to ensure they understood their obligations while also taking advantage of every allowable deduction and relief available. The peace of mind that comes with having experienced professionals in your corner during such an important and stressful time cannot be overstated. Client Delight: Low Taxes, Timely Returns, and Maximum Savings What sets Tax Affinity Accountants apart from other tax firms is our commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients. Throughout December and January, we received glowing feedback from individuals and businesses who were delighted with the results we achieved for them. By applying our deep expertise in tax planning and optimization, we were able to significantly reduce the tax liabilities of many clients. This is what truly excites us—helping individuals keep more of what they’ve earned. Whether it’s taking full advantage of allowable tax deductions, advising on tax-efficient investments, or utilizing strategies to minimize National Insurance contributions, we’re always looking for new and creative ways to reduce our clients’ tax burdens. One example involved a small business owner who had previously been using a generic online tax software to file their returns. While the software was quick, it didn’t provide them with the tailored advice they needed to make the most of their tax position. After switching to Tax Affinity Accountants, we identified numerous opportunities for tax savings, including business expenses they had overlooked and potential claims for tax relief that they didn’t know about. As a result, the business owner’s tax bill was reduced by a significant amount—enough to reinvest in their business, expand operations, and increase profits. We’ve also worked with several high-earning individuals who were struggling with their tax obligations. By applying a strategic approach to tax planning and ensuring they understood the implications of different income streams, we were able to optimize their tax position and save them thousands of pounds. When clients come to us seeking clarity and guidance, we don’t just meet their needs; we exceed them, delivering tax returns that maximize their savings while ensuring full compliance with HMRC. At Tax Affinity Accountants, our clients are the center of everything we do. The positive feedback and appreciation we received during the January rush are a testament to the hard work we put in and our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch service. Our clients know they can count on us to not only meet the deadlines but also to deliver the best tax outcomes. The Highest Number of Referrals in Our HistoryOur clients don’t just trust us—they recommend us to their friends, family, and colleagues. During the December and January rush, we received an unprecedented number of referrals, making it clear that our reputation for delivering outstanding results is growing faster than ever. Referrals are the highest compliment we can receive, and we take great pride in knowing that our clients are not only satisfied with our services but are so confident in our ability to help others that they actively refer us to people they know. It’s also a sign that more and more individuals and businesses are realizing the value of working with an accountant who genuinely understands their financial goals and strives to help them save on taxes. This year’s increase in referrals is a direct reflection of the exceptional results we consistently achieve for our clients. From freelancers and contractors to business owners and high-net-worth individuals, we’re proud to be the trusted partner that so many people turn to for expert tax advice. And as our client base continues to grow, we’re excited to help even more people take control of their tax positions and keep more of their hard-earned money. Why Switch to Tax Affinity Accountants? If you’re currently working with an accountant who isn’t delivering the results you expect or feel that your tax bills are higher than they should be, now is the perfect time to make the switch to Tax Affinity Accountants. Here’s why:
If you’re ready to take control of your taxes and start working with a firm that truly understands how to maximize your savings, Tax Affinity Accountants is here to help. With our team of experts by your side, you’ll never have to worry about missed deadlines, unnecessary penalties, or overpaid taxes again. Don’t let another year go by paying more than you need to. Reach out to us today for a consultation and discover how much we can help you save. Whether you’re switching from another accountant or looking for a new tax partner, Tax Affinity Accountants is here to provide the expert service, advice, and savings you deserve. Contact us now, and let’s start working on a tax strategy that works for you. Together, we’ll make this year the best one yet! Disclaimer: Tax Affinity Accountants is a leading accounting firm specializing in tax planning, advice, and compliance services. We work with individuals, freelancers, contractors, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals across the UK to help them maximize their tax savings and optimise their financial strategies. Please visit www.taxaffinity.com to learn more about our services and book a consultation. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.
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On 6th March 2024 the UK Chancellor announced the Spring Budget for the UK. There were quite a few positive changes and the main points to help plan ahead are below:
Child Benefit Changes Starting April 2024, parents will receive Child Benefit as follows: £25.60 per week (£1,331 annually) for the eldest child and £16.95 per week (£881 annually) for additional children. Presently, if either parent's income exceeds £50,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) takes effect, requiring repayment of Child Benefit once income surpasses £60,000. This necessitates completing a self-assessment tax return. As of April 6, 2024, the threshold rises to £60,000 with a gradual taper, fully recouping Child Benefit when income exceeds £80,000. By April 2026, the clawback assessment will shift to a "household income" basis, pending HMRC adjustments. The 2024 threshold increase will lower the combined tax rate (HICBC, income tax, and NIC) on incomes above £60,000, encouraging parents to earn more. Eventually, transitioning to a "household income" basis should create fairer outcomes for families, albeit HMRC implementation challenges may arise. Changing the Non-Domiciled (non-dom) status and tax treatment The government plans to end the current tax treatment for UK resident non-domiciled individuals (non-doms) starting April 6, 2025. This regime, in place for over 200 years, allowed UK residents with permanent homes abroad to avoid UK tax on foreign income and gains (FIG) unless brought into the UK. It also shielded non-UK assets from Inheritance Tax. As of April 6, 2025, the current remittance basis will be replaced by a new residence-based test lasting four years for those who have been non-UK residents for at least the prior ten tax years. During this period, newcomers won't pay tax on foreign income or trust distributions brought into the UK. However, they'll lose personal allowances and CGT exemptions. After four years, individuals will be taxed like other UK residents on worldwide income and gains. Transitional rules apply: non-doms moving from remittance to arising basis in 2025/26 will be taxed on 50% of foreign income; reduced rates for pre-6 April 2025 FIG remittances till 2027; and Capital Gains Tax rebasing for non-UK assets. Business Investment Relief continues. From April 6, 2025, settlor-interested trusts lose tax protection unless they qualify for the four-year FIG regime. Overseas workday relief remains for the first three years, depending on opting into the new regime. Inheritance Tax shifts from domicile to residence-based from April 6, 2025, with assets within ten years of UK residency potentially liable. UK sited assets remain subject to IHT. These changes simplify the non-dom tax system, but complexities persist. Transitional provisions offer time for adjustment. Current non-doms should consult their Tax Affinity adviser promptly as these are significant changes. National Insurance Class 1 Changes (Employed) Starting from an annual income of £12,570 up to £50,270, employees pay Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The rate is currently 10% (down from 12% since January 6 this year). Above £50,270, the rate remains 2% for additional earnings. From April 6, 2024, the main rate will decrease by another 2% to 8%, potentially saving employees up to £63 monthly (£754 yearly). Employers' NICs, at 13.8% over the lower threshold, remain unchanged. This reduction benefits employees and may ease pressure on employers regarding wage hikes. Self-Employment Changes Self-employed individuals pay Class 4 NICs from £12,570 to £50,270 at 9% (dropping to 8% from April 6, 2024). Above this threshold, the rate stays at 2%. Starting April 6, 2024, the rate decreases by another 2% to 6%. This saves £30 for every £1,000 of profit, up to £1,131 annually for those paying at the main Class 4 NIC rate. Class 2 NICs were abolished from April 6, 2024, offering a positive financial change for the new tax year. Capital Gains Tax When you sell residential property and make a profit, you might owe Capital Gains Tax (CGT), except when it's your main home, which is CGT exempt. If the property wasn't always your main home, only part of the gain is taxable. Currently, residential property gains are taxed at 18% for basic rate band profits and 28% thereafter. Starting April 6, 2024, the higher rate reduces to 24% for property sales. Reporting the sale within 60 days from completion is crucial. Sales exchanged before April 6, 2024, may still be taxed at 28%. Landlords affected by the abolishment of Furnished Holiday Lets tax benefits from April 2025 will see changes. From April 6, 2025, furnished holiday lettings will be treated as property investment businesses, losing several tax benefits:
Investments The Budget introduced measures to encourage individual investing and foster a stronger savings culture. Here are the key points:
VAT threshold increased The government is raising the VAT registration threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 and the deregistration threshold from £83,000 to £88,000. These changes start on April 1, 2024. Over 28,000 businesses are expected to benefit by no longer needing to register for VAT in 2024-25. Conclusion Overall this is a much better budget than the previous autumn one presented in 2023. VAT announcement is decades overdue and the drop in NI thresholds don't make that much of a real world difference when price rise percentage is way higher then the percentage drop. And again the goverment did not address any of the large multinationals raking huge profits while small businesses and the public suffer. The sale of Natwest shares in a recession (that the government used tax payers money to bail out the bank recently) needs to be critically analysed more closely as to the effective timing of the sale and real time benefit for tax payers who directly paid for this out of their pockets. At times like these its even more important to have an experience and knowledgable tax accountant in your corner. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. Autumn statement 2023 main points for small and medium sized businesses (SME) and employees11/25/2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has disclosed the UK government's fiscal plans for the upcoming year. On November 22, 2023, Hunt presented the Autumn Statement in the House of Commons, likely the last pre-election mini-budget, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hinting at a potential election in October 2025 next year.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has concurrently unveiled its latest economic outlook for the UK. In response to last week's news of a drop in inflation to 4.6% for the year up to October, Conservative MPs had advocated for broader tax cuts, taking advantage of what was termed as 'fiscal headroom.' Consequently, the chancellor has indeed announced tax reductions in today's statement. The focus now turns to how these revelations might impact small businesses and the self-employed. Read on for key updates affecting this sector:
Despite receiving a little bit of positive feedback, reservations linger about the effectiveness of these reforms in bolstering the strained small business sector. The increase in minimum wages rates for employees will no doubt increase costs for SME's already suffering from high utility bills - and will ultimately mean smart business owners decease the days and hours of staff. The majority of small businesses already had access to small business rates relief so nothing changed there. Finally the much talked about CGT and IHT amendments did not materialise, neither was there any focus on reigning in large energy suppliers sapping the profits out of small and medium sized business to boost their annual profits. And the loss of class 2 NI is a blow for micro businesses and sole traders who needed it to top up their state pension contributions. Overall not impressed at all. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. With only a few working days left. This is an important reminder that if you have not already had your 2021-22 personal tax return done. All 21/22 tax returns (self assessments) need to be calculated & submitted to HMRC before the 31st January 2023 and any tax payable for the year to be paid by that date also. And we recommend this is urgently done and you contact us today. If you had it done or do not need it then ignore this reminder.
As per last year HMRC is saving money & will not send postal reminders. They now choose instead to collect money through letters of fines for missed deadlines saying 'all tax payers should be aware of the self assessment deadline, and not expect HMRC to remind them'. With fines starting at £100 rising to £1300 plus interest for late filing and payment even if you had no tax to pay, there really is no excuse to not have it done as soon as possible so get in touch today and ensure its calculated and declared by professional tax accountant, someone who will make sure to look after your best financial interests while freeing you up to concentrate on the things your love. To complete the 2021/2022 self assessment you will need the following information:
Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. UK Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng announced a series of tax cuts & changes in his mini-budget on 23rd Sept 2022, and yesterday did a U-turn on cancelling the drop from 45% to 40% on the highest tax rate. A quick list of how the mini-budget will affect tax payers is listed below: 1. Income taxes The top rate of income tax for those earning more than £150,000 per annum was reduced from 50% to 45% by a previous Chancellor in 2013 this was planned to be lowered to 40% but has now been cancelled by the government U-turn and will remain at 45%. From 6th April 2023 the rate of income tax on income between £12,571 & £50,270 per annum will be reduced from 20% to 19%. 2. National Insurance reversal Chancellor confirms the 1.25 percentage national insurance rise introduced earlier this year by the previous Chancellor will be cancelled from 6th November 2022 i.e. from December’s payslip onwards. 3. Stamp duty cut Before there was no stamp duty to pay on the first £125,000 of a property’s value. It has now been doubled to £250,000. The no stamp duty threshold for first-time buyers will rise from £300,000 to £425,000. The max property value for first-time buyers’ stamp duty relief will rise from £500,000 to £625,000. 4. Corporation tax stays at 19% Corporation tax rises have been scrapped, the previous Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the rate of corporation tax would be increasing from 19% to 25%, from 6th April 2023. So now businesses with profits below £50,000 will stay at the 19% rate, as well as businesses with profits over £250,000 that were meant to pay 25% rate ie everyone stays at 19%. 5. Changes to IR35 From 6th April 2023, the previous IR35 rules introduced in 2017 and 2021 have been reversed. Allowing individuals to contract instead of work as employees again ie self employed off-payroll working through a limited company. The changes mean its up to the contractors themselves to make sure they have the right status and are paying the right amount of tax instead of putting the burden on employers. 6. Strikes legislation The government says it will legislate to stop “militant trade unions” from closing down key infrastructure through strikes. The laws will require unions to put pay offers to a member vote, to ensure strikes can only be called once pay talks have genuinely broken down, he says. 7. Investment zones The government confirmed that almost 40 investment zones will be created with tax breaks for businesses. Areas included are the West Midlands ,Tees Valley, Norfolk and the west of England etc. 8. Energy Bills Freeze household energy bills at £2,500 for a typical household and a price cap on energy bills for commercial properties also. 9. Investment (AIA) Annual investment allowance, the total amount a company can invest tax free, stays at £1 Million. New & start-up companies are able to raise up to £250,000 under a scheme giving tax relief to investors in their business Share options for (PAYE) employees doubled from £30,000 to £60,000 10. Bankers’ bonuses Chancellor confirms the bankers’ bonus cap will be scrapped. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. HMRC relishes the idea that tax payers will make errors in their tax returns and then they will pay higher taxes or be fines for making errors. The number of errors by members of the public doing their own self assessments has been rising steeply in the last few years and HMRC has been raking in fines for errors. So its very important to try to ensure you make none.
Why? - Well simply mistakes on your tax returns could cost you a lot of hard earned money. Solution? - Avoid HMRC penalties and charges by making sure you don’t commit these mistakes during tax return time by getting an expert like Tax Affinity Accountants (one the most highly recommended accountants in the UK) to do calculate and submit the return for you and sleep easy at night knowing you paid the least tax and everything was correct according to HMRC rules. Key things to keep in double check:
A good tax accountant should save you much more in tax than what he/she charges. And having a Tax Affinity accountant calculate your personal and business tax situation will lead to zero mistakes on your return and a lower tax bill first time every time. Fill out our contact us page to find an office near you and we will be happy to help you sleep easier at night. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. UK Spring Budget 2021 key points for business owners & SME's
At Tax Affinity we believe in improving the financial lives of every person in the world. Each time the UK treasury government makes budget announcements we spend time reading through the information to help our clients support our clients with the best information to drive their businesses forward even during a down turn. The key points are listed below for a quick guide:
By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. HMRC has extended the self assessment deadline to 28th Feb 2021 due to Covid 19. Allowing tax payers another month to ensure they have their persoanl tax return submitted and tax paid by then.
Normally each the deadline each year is the 31st Jan. But this year as a last minute policy announced a few days before the deadline HMRC extended it saying they will not charge the late filing penalty until after the 28th Feb. And if tax was due the interest for late payment will not be applied until after 28th Feb also. However a close estimate of the tax payable should be paid by the 31st Jan to avoid interest. If readers have not had their 2019/20 self assessment / personal tax return done. Then they should urgently contact us today to ensure it can be done by the 28th Feb 2021 deadline. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for small and medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting limited company owners and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. The UK Government and the Chancellor have set out a package of temporary measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
This includes actions to support businesses including:
If you need help with your applications for government grants, loans and allowances as described above then as authorised HMRC agents and expert tax accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are available to support your business at this critical time. Urgently contact us by clicking here and we will use our expertise to support your business through this difficult time. Support for businesses through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers are able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible. How to access the scheme You will need to:
If your business needs short term cash flow support, you may be eligible for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan. Support for businesses through deferring VAT and Income Tax payments Government will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months. If you’re self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021. VATFor VAT, the deferral will apply from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible. How to access the scheme This is an automatic offer with no applications required. Businesses will not need to make a VAT payment during this period. Taxpayers will be given until the end of the 2020 to 2021 tax year to pay any liabilities that have accumulated during the deferral period. VAT refunds and reclaims will be paid by the government as normal. Income Tax For Income Tax Self-Assessment, payments due on the 31 July 2020 will be deferred until the 31 January 2021. Eligibility If you are self-employed you are eligible. How to access the scheme This is an automatic offer with no applications required. No penalties or interest for late payment will be charged in the deferral period. HMRC have also scaled up their Time to Pay offer to all firms and individuals who are in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and have outstanding tax liabilities. Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees Goverment will bring forward legislation to allow small-and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be as follows:
You are eligible for the scheme if:
A rebate scheme is being developed. Further details will be provided in due course once the legalisation has passed. Government websites will contain more details. Support for businesses that pay business ratesBusiness rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses Goverment will introduce a business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year. Businesses that received the retail discount in the 2019 to 2020 tax year will be rebilled by their local authority as soon as possible. Eligibility You are eligible for the business rates holiday if:
There is no action for you. This will apply to your next council tax bill in April 2020. However, local authorities may have to reissue your bill automatically to exclude the business rate charge. They will do this as soon as possible. You can estimate the business rate charge you will no longer have to pay this year using the business rates calculator. Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance. Cash grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businessesThe Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property. For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000, they will receive a grant of £10,000. For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000, they will receive a grant of £25,000. Eligibility You are eligible for the grant if:
You do not need to do anything. Your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for this grant. Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority. Find your local authority on Google. Support for businesses that pay little or no business ratesThe government will provide additional Small Business Grant Scheme funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR), rural rate relief (RRR) and tapered releif. This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs. Eligibility You are eligible if:
Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority. Find your local authority on Google. Support for businesses through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan SchemeA new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, will launch early next week to support primarily small and medium-sized businesses to access bank lending and overdrafts. The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each loan (subject to a per-lender cap on claims) to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The government will not charge businesses or banks for this guarantee, and the Scheme will support loans of up to £5 million in value. Businesses can access the first 12 months of that finance interest free, as government will cover the first 12 months of interest payments. Eligibility You are eligible for the scheme if:
You should talk to your bank or finance provider (not the British Business Bank) as soon as possible and discuss your business plan with them. This will help your finance provider to act quickly once the Scheme has launched. If you have an existing loan with monthly repayments you may want to ask for a repayment holiday to help with cash flow. The scheme will be available from early next week commencing 23 March. Support for larger firms through the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility Under the new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility, the Bank of England will buy short term debt from larger companies. This will support your company if it has been affected by a short-term funding squeeze, and allow you to finance your short-term liabilities. It will also support corporate finance markets overall and ease the supply of credit to all firms. Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible. How to access the schemeThe scheme will be available early in week beginning 23 March 2020. The Government will provide information on how to access the scheme soon - keep an eye on their website updates. More information is available from the Bank of England website. Support for businesses paying tax: Time to Pay serviceAll businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. These arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities. Eligibility You are eligible if your business:
If you’re worried about a future payment, call HMRC nearer the time. Insurance Businesses that have cover for both pandemics and government-ordered closure should be covered, as the government and insurance industry confirmed on 17 March 2020 that advice to avoid pubs, theatres etc is sufficient to make a claim as long as all other terms and conditions are met. Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy and contact their providers. Most businesses are unlikely to be covered, as standard business interruption insurance policies are dependent on damage to property and will exclude pandemics. If you need help with your applications for government grants, loans and allowances as described above then as authorised HMRC agents and expert tax accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are available to support your business at this critical time. Urgently contact us by clicking here and we will use our expertise to support your business through this difficult time. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. Based in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for small and medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting limited company owners and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. Important new HMRC rules for VAT registered business - both Limited Company and Sole Trader.
HMRC has made it compulsory for all businesses registered for VAT (+ over the 85k threshold) to use MTD complaint software and submit their VAT returns to HMRC electronically with a full breakdown that can be checked by them remotely. The first MTD compliant VAT Return for the 3 month period ending June 30th is due to HMRC by the 7th August 2019. HMRC expect a huge rush as many people leave it to the last minute and then realise they are not compliant to avoid penalties and interest charges for missed deadlines and unpaid VAT, as the process requires pre-registration and this causes further delays before a submission is possible. So this has caused a lot of business owners problems and extra work and we are pleased to announce we are here to help and make things easier. As we are at the forefront of such changes and already have MTD complaint software and have access to HMRC for the benefit of all our clients . So if your having problems with MTD VAT - Making Tax Digital, then get in touch today and we will be happy to help. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. Based in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Espom they are considered in the Industry to be expert accountants and tax advisors for small businesses. Helping and supporting contractors and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. |
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