The long awaited, much anticipated and dreaded first Budget of the new Labour government was delivered to Parliament today - 30 October 2024 - by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. We now know where the funds will come from to finance investment and growth, and the vaunted tax increases are no longer speculative, we have the […]
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100 days to the 2023-24 self-assessment filing deadline
October 29th, 2024
HMRC have kindly reminded us - their online post of 23 October refers - that there are approximately 100 days (to 31 January 2025) to prepare and file a 2023-24 self-assessment (SA) tax return. In their post they say: "More than 3.5 million taxpayers have already beaten the clock and submitted their returns. HMRC is reminding others […]
Will the Budget increase employment costs?
October 28th, 2024
Employers' NIC There is ongoing speculation about potential increases in employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs). While the government is under pressure to raise additional revenue to address fiscal challenges, increasing employer NICs has been floated as one option, particularly as the government has pledged not to raise income tax, VAT, or employees' National Insurance for […]
Common sources of investment funding for SMEs
October 24th, 2024
Small UK businesses have a variety of investment sources available, depending on their needs and stage of development. Here's a look at some of the most common options. Personal Savings Many entrepreneurs start by using their own savings or money from friends and family. While this approach avoids debt or giving up equity, it does […]
Main objectives of new Pensions Bill
October 22nd, 2024
The King's speech earlier this year announced the creation of a new Pensions Bill. The Bill aims to increase the range of investment options for pension funds and to improve the retirement outcomes for future pensioners. Emma Reynolds, the current Minister for Pensions, made the following comments at a recent address to the ABI "Pension […]
Will she, will she not?
October 17th, 2024
There is an ongoing discussion in Treasury circles, fuelled by lobbying from public sector unions, that the recent public sector pay deal may sideline any possible reduction in higher rate tax relief in the forthcoming budget. The Chancellor's upcoming Autumn Budget 2024 is expected to address the need for fiscal savings, and the vast costs […]
Tipping laws come into force
October 11th, 2024
From 1 October 2024, you can be reasonably sure that when you leave a tip or pay a service charge your largesse will benefit the establishment staff, not the business owners. The following update is reproduced from a news story released by the Department for Business and Trade. "From Tuesday 1st October, millions of hard […]
Key performance indicators
October 9th, 2024
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are widely used across industries in the UK to measure success and performance. Here are some of the top KPIs commonly used in various sectors: 1. Financial KPIs: Revenue Growth: Measures the increase in sales or income over a specific period. Net Profit Margin: Percentage of revenue remaining after all expenses. […]
Tax Diary October/November 2024
October 3rd, 2024
1 October 2024 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 December 2023. 19 October 2024 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 October 2024. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 October 2024.) 19 October 2024 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly […]
Gifts and Inheritance Tax
October 3rd, 2024
Most gifts made during a person's lifetime are not subject to tax at the time of transfer. These gifts, known as "potentially exempt transfers" (PETs), can become fully exempt if the donor survives for more than seven years after making the gift. If the donor passes away within three years of the gift, the inheritance […]