Autumn statement 2023 main points for small and medium sized businesses (SME) and employees11/25/2023  Expert Tax Accountants for small, medium sized businesesses & individuals 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.
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 Tax Affinity Accountants with their high street branches The Smart Move: Why You Should Use a Tax Accountant for Your Self-Assessment
In the world of personal finance, few things are as certain as taxes. Each year, individuals across the globe prepare to navigate the labyrinth of tax regulations, deductions, and forms required for their self-assessment. While some opt for the DIY approach, a growing number are discovering the numerous benefits of enlisting the expertise of a tax accountant. In this blog post, we'll explore why using a tax accountant for your self-assessment is not just a smart choice but often a financially savvy one. 1. Expertise and Knowledge: Tax accountants are professionals who specialize in tax laws and regulations. They stay up-to-date with the latest changes in tax codes and have the experience to navigate complex financial situations. This expertise can help you minimize your tax liability legally. 2. Maximize Deductions and Credits: Tax accountants have a keen eye for identifying deductions and credits that you might overlook. Their attention to detail can result in significant savings, ensuring you're not paying more taxes than necessary. 3. Reduce Stress and Save Time: Preparing your own taxes can be time-consuming and stressful. It often involves sifting through a mountain of paperwork and deciphering intricate tax jargon. Hiring a tax accountant frees up your time and reduces the stress associated with tax season. 4. Avoid Costly Mistakes: Filing taxes incorrectly can lead to penalties and audits. Tax accountants are trained to minimize errors and ensure that your return is accurate, reducing the risk of costly mistakes that can haunt you later. 5. Year-Round Assistance: A tax accountant's support isn't limited to just tax season. They can offer financial advice throughout the year, helping you make informed decisions to optimize your tax situation and financial health. 6. Audit Protection: If you're audited by tax authorities, having a tax accountant on your side can be invaluable. They can guide you through the audit process and ensure that your rights are protected. 7. Customized Strategies: Tax accountants can create personalized tax strategies that align with your financial goals. They consider your unique circumstances to help you make the most of available tax benefits. 8. Peace of Mind: Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of hiring a tax accountant is the peace of mind it brings. Knowing that a professional is handling your taxes can alleviate anxiety and allow you to focus on other aspects of your life. 9. Cost Savings: Contrary to common belief, hiring a tax accountant can often result in cost savings. The deductions and credits they can uncover, combined with the reduction in errors, can more than offset their fees. 10. Legal and Ethical Compliance: Tax accountants operate within the bounds of the law and adhere to ethical standards. This ensures that your taxes are filed ethically and legally, eliminating any worries about potential legal repercussions. In conclusion, the decision to use a tax accountant like Tax Affinity for your self-assessment is an investment in your financial well-being. Their expertise, ability to maximize savings, and dedication to compliance can make the process smoother, more accurate, and less stressful. Ultimately, it's a smart move that can pay dividends in terms of both financial savings and peace of mind. So, this tax season, consider enlisting the help of a tax accountant like Tax Affinity and reap the rewards of a stress-free and financially optimized experience. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are the number rated and recommended Tax Accountants in London. 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.  Tax Affinity has high street branches for customers support The new UK Chancellor (yes another one...can you believe the UK had 4 Chancellors in 4 months in 2022) has given his first budget. And as before we have refined the main points and facts for business owners including SME's and entrepreneurs. So you can easily navigate and plan ahead with clarity.
The main points from the budget are: 1. Energy price guarantee for homes will remain at £2,500 extended for only 3 months until end of June. It was set to rise to £3,000 but that has now been cancelled. And no new support announced for business bills. 2. Corporation Tax for a limited company will rise from 19% to 25% from 6th April 2023. Small company's with profit of less than £50k will still pay the lower 19%. But companies with profits between £50k to £250k have to pay between 19% and 25% but are allowed to claim marginal relief. Company profits over £250k will be taxed at 25%. And companies with group ownership of other companies may end paying close to 26.5% (effectively) because the corporation tax for Group Companies was increased also - sadly all important details missed by the main stream media. 3. Tax-free yearly allowance for pension cash out to rise from £40,000 to £60,000 after being the same for the past 9 years. 4. Fuel duty (tax) frozen so the 5p cut to fuel duty/tax on petrol and diesel which was due to end in April, has been extended for another year. 5. Maximum amount a worker can accumulate in pensions over their lifetime before paying extra tax currently £1.07 Million will be cancelled. Now there is no limit. 6. Tax on tobacco to increase by 2% above inflation for normal and 6% above inflation for hand-rolling tobacco. 7. Those who are already drawing down on their pensions, the total amount they can save tax free under the Money Purchase Annual Allowance is increased from £4,000 to £10,000 from April 2023. 8. 30 hours of free childcare for working parents in England expanded to cover 9 months to three year olds. 9. New £600 "incentive payment" for people becoming childminders, and the rules have been changed in England to let childminders look after more children. 10. Immigration rules to be relaxed for five roles in the construction sector, to ease labour shortages in the Industry. These categories are:
11. Super deduction of 130% will end on 31/03/23 and move back to 100% AIA for plant and machinery purchased and can be used directlty against corporation tax payable. A list of typical purchases is lasting until 31/03/26:
If your worried how these will effect you and need more specific guidance to help your business carry on growing during turbulent times then contact one of our Tax Affinity expert business advisors today (click here). With their countless years of knowledge and expertise they can guide your business to success even in the toughest of economic conditions. 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.  Tax Affinity Accountants with high street branches for face to face support Economic conditons rise and fall but one thing is certain the most successful small to medium sized businesses always keep growing and increasing their profits. So how do they do that? Well here at Tax Affinity we are expert business advisors and we help and support thousands of business owners in the UK and overseas with exactly that.
Giving business owners tailored and specific advice to help keep their business growing and increasing in profits no matter what the economic conditions. In short giving everyone the same level of guidance and support that large corporate CEO's get but for a fraction of the price. Why? Because we feel everyone should have access expert support especially small and medium sized businesses because they are the engines and driving force of every economy. So here is a quick list to get you started and when you need more specific and tailored support contact us and we will be happy help. 1. Change the way you do things Simply you will need to generate more sales while decreasing expenses. Sounds easy but in reality it can be quite hard. To increase your sales you may have to change the way you do business and start offering new goods and services that complement your current goods and services. To reduce expenses, keep an eye on expenses and start to identify which ones are excessive and a waste of income. Find out if some parts of your admin work that can be outsourced to reduce wages bills eg accountancy, payroll, vat etc. We at Tax Affinity often help clients by taking over the work load from business owners helping them cut costs and increase profit. Look closely at employees and identify the ones who are less productive and cut down their hours to part time from full time or simply let them go. Switch suppliers of utilities and explore new cheaper or free energy sources such as solar power or a rain collection tanks on the roof for the washrooms. 2. Motivate new customers to try your product/service Another quick fix to increase profits is motivating new customers to try your products and services with specials deals, discounts, or short-term giveaways. Maybe think about a relationship-based sales model that gets customers coming back by offering monthly or annual subscriptions, or a grouped bundle of visits at a discounted price. 3. Stay in front of the customer make sure to be available See what can sets you apart from your competition. Regularly check and promote your positive reputation. Use your website, emails and social media to connect with clients. Think about sharing advertising with a complementary business and find ways to get referral sales using affiliate marketing to get new customers. Plus get rid of old, unproductive business alliances that may be dragging you down. Check their reputation - if they are going down then your perceved to be the same too by association. Do more marketing and networking by setting up group meetings online, offer online downloads and access to shared info. 3. Maximising your cashflow Cashflow is king and making sure you always have enough is very important. Chase customers to pay on time and make sure that you add charges for late or delayed payments. If they do pay late then you will be paid more. Some people say offer a reduced monthly payment plan to lock in clients longer term, we don't agree because its a universal law that the cream always rises to the top and the best don't discount because they are the best. Get better instead of cheaper. 4. Dump useless employees All businesses have employees who steal, or work purposely slow etc. Identify them and replace them with new more enthusiatic and efficient ones. They are just another asset in the business and your not responsible for them and their families. They should have bore that in mind before being lame at work. Think about automation which may allow your business to use software or robots for work and reduce monthly wages bills . 5. Make Everyone a Salesperson From telephone to email to face-to-face meetings, every employee has the opportunity to spread your company's message and engage in potential sales-generating behavior. Everyone needs to pitch in to help by cutting costs, selling, networking on the web, marketing, and more. If you can get your employees invested and motivated to sell your message by encouraging self-development through roundtables, conferences, lunch meetings, and webinars you'll be well on your way to creating an organization that is built around increasing profits. Remember, it pays dividends to reward your employees that seek continuing education, or who make an extra effort to represent the company inside and outside of work. 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.  Tax Affinity Accountants your local experts with high street branches On 17/11/2022 Jeremy Hunt the Chancellor for the UK Governments expressed their plans for the coming year and the contents of his autumn budget. As before we have read thorugh the detailed report and listed the main bullet points for small business and the self employed.
Personal Income Tax There are no changes to the personal tax thresholds. And they will remain at the current level until April 2028. This also includes the National Insurance Contribution threshold for PAYE and self employed. Minimum wage for people aged over 23 to increase from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour from April 2023 Company Dividend Tax-Free Allowance (DIV) The dividend tax free allowance threshold will be reduced from £2,000 to £1,000 from April 2023. And this will be reduced even more in 2024-25 to £500. Additional Rate of Income Tax (Higher Tax band) From April 2023, the higher rate band will be reduced from £150,000 to £125,140. Which means anyone earning above £125,140 will now be taxed at the 45%. Apart for Scotland. Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) The Annual Investment Allowance will be permanently set at £1 million to help promote growth in the economy. Corporation Tax (CT600) From April 2023, the Corporation Tax is due to increase to 25% if a company’s profits exceed £250,000. Companies whose profits are between £50,001 to £250,000 will be subject to a tapered relief. Companies whose profits fall below £50,000 will remain at the current level of 19%. Capital Gains Tax-Free Allowance (CGT) Also rumoured before the budget, the threshold for Capital Gains Tax will be reduced from £12,300 to £6,000 from April 2023. Similarly to the dividend allowance, a further reduction will be seen in 2024-25 to £3,000. Employment Allowance (Employer NIC) The Employment NIC Allowance will stay at £5,000 meaning that eligible employers. Road Tax Electric cars, vans and motorcycles will start to pay road tax from April 2025. Energy The household energy price cap has been extended for one year beyond April 2023 but has been made less, with typical bills capped at £3,000 instead of £2,500 a year. 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.  Tax Affinity Accountants - high street branches The UK now has a new PM Rishi Sunak after the shock resignation of the previous PM Liz Truss due the GBP (Sterling) stock market crashing after the announcment of her mini budget just weeks ago. So the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a raft of reversals listed below that seem to have temporarily reassured the markets and IMF etc. But what are they in a quick short read - well see below: 1. Cut to Corporation tax down to 19% from 25% - cancelled 2. Removal of 45% higher rate tax - cancelled 3. Personal Income tax cut from 20% to 19% - cancelled 4. Alcohol duty freeze - cancelled 5. VAT free shopping for overseas visitors - cancelled 6. National Insurance reverse of 1.25% - retained 7. No stamp duty on first £250,000 - retained 8 First time buyers no stamp duty on first £425,000 - retained 9. IR35 rules reversal - cancelled 10. Removal of bankers bonus cap - retained 11. Freeze on energy bills for 2 years - amended to 6 months only now 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.  Tax Affinity have many high street branches 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.  There are only a few working days are left until (UK) HMRC's self assessment (tax return) deadline. And with many people receiving furlough, SEISS type covid grants and Covid Support from Local Council's which all need to be declared it only add to the complication.
Many tax payers are finding their tax bills are higher this year than last year and are turning to expert tax accountants at Tax Affinity to help them. Doing it yourself or with someone with a basic knowledge of the ever changing tax rules is likely to end up costing you much more than the fees an expert tax accountant would ever cost. It just makes economic sense. So if you have not had your 2020/21 (6.4.20 to 5.4.21) tax return completed then you urgently get in touch today as the number of working days are fast decreasing and before you know it the time will be gone and you may end up facing a fine by HMRC for missing the 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. Last year over 30,000 people filed their tax returns between christmas eve and boxing day12/19/2021  Tax Affinity Accountants have branches local to you Did you know last year more than 30,000 people in the UK did their tax return between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day?
As of writing this, there are only 20 working days left until HMRC's self assessment deadline of 31st Jan 2022. Each year millions of people leave their tax return (self assessment) to the last minute and then stress out if they declared the info correctly and if the tax due is correct. Statistically the number one worry tends to be if their submission may trigger an HMRC investigation into their tax affairs... death and taxes being the fear we suppose. Plus in the last tax year due to Covid 19 and lockdown's there were many other sources of income e.g. council support grants, SEISS (self employed grants), furlough, bounce back loans, universal credit, tax credits etc. Making tax returns more complicated and resulting with higher taxes due for most tax payers. If your worried we recommend you get in touch with one of our tax experts. Because we have seen a lot more investigations this year than previous years as HMRC starts it claw back to try to shore up the UK government income and focuses even more on tax avoidance and incorrect information. So if you have not had your 2020/21 (6.4.20 to 5.4.21) tax return (self assessment) completed then you urgently need to get in touch today as the number of working days are fast decreasing and before you know it the time will be gone and you may end up facing badly caclulated tax return paying more tax than you need to or worse a fine by HMRC for missing the deadline. Contact us today by clicking this link or calling us on the number above. And share this page with your friends and family. 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. |
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