Blog

Sarah Halsted

Government statement fails to calm fears of a hard Brexit for customs

The Government has revealed ambitious, perhaps over ambitious, plans for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU to be in place by the end of this year. It is very clear on the outcome if negotiations don’t go to plan.

3 minutes

Chris Etherington

A new dawn for employee ownership may emerge from the Budget

Whilst some may bemoan the anticipated scrapping of Entrepreneurs’ Relief, the Chancellor’s plans could prove to be the catalyst to encourage more business owners to explore an Employee Ownership model.

3 minutes

Chris Etherington

The long goodbye? Preparing for Entrepreneurs’ Relief big exit

The news is bleak for business owners in the midst of a transaction who were hoping to benefit from Entrepreneurs’ Relief (‘ER’), as rumours continue to circulate that one of Rishi Sunak’s first acts as Chancellor will be to scrap it entirely in his maiden Budget speech on 11th March. With time ticking away, how long does ER have and what options can business owners explore to secure ER before it goes?

3 minutes

George Bull

Drama should not replace policy in Rishi Sunak’s first Budget

One of the oldest mistakes in the book is to confuse activity with progress. With the Chancellor under massive pressure to act now in a number of tax areas, we think he would be better advised to concentrate on setting out a clear direction of travel, to consult where appropriate on significant tax changes and to set out a timescale for better decision-making.

3 minutes

Sheena McGuinness

A bluffer’s guide to the Climate Change Levy

As green taxes are likely to play a greater role in the UK’s taxation system in the future, we try to shed some light on the much-misunderstood Climate Change Levy.

5 minutes

Peter Williams

HMRC invites claims for overpaid VAT (but doesn’t agree to pay them)

Following the News Corp and Ireland Ltd Upper Tribunal decision released late last year, in which it was held that the digital editions of The Times and other News Corp newspapers should be zero-rated for VAT, HMRC has published a new briefing explaining how businesses can now submit claims for overpaid VAT. But there is a snag - any claims made are unlikely to be paid until when, and if, the litigation is finally concluded in News Corp’s favour.

3 minutes

Alex Foster

Top tips for tidying up tax affairs before the tax year end

As the end of another tax year approaches, it is important for taxpayers to review their overall position to ensure that they are making the most of valuable tax allowances and reliefs. We set out some of the main areas of interest.

3 minutes

Chris Etherington

Should family offices be worried about HMRC’s new secret unit?

It has been revealed that a secret unit has been set up by HMRC to review the tax risks of Family Investment Companies (FICs), in particular the associated inheritance tax implications. Should families who have established a FIC be concerned?

5 minutes

Sara Bonavia

When is a married couple not a married couple?

Getting married abroad on a beach is some people’s dream. However couples should check their marriage is legally binding in the UK to avoid an unwelcome surprise.

3 minutes

Sheena McGuinness