Tax

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Festive Q&A

6th November 2018
Christmas might be the season of goodwill but you still need to be aware on the tax implications for gifts, parties and even decorations this festive season. Q.  Can you claim tax relief on Christmas decorations? A.  The good news is that unless you work from home, you are able to claim tax relief on...

Have you joined the Tax-Free Childcare club?

2nd November 2018
Following our article in the summer entitled Childcare Vouchers are Changing, problems with HMRC’s new Tax-Free Childcare continue to crop up. You’re thinking of using the scheme, but you’re not sure whether it will leave you better off. How should you decide? Joanne Gibson provides you some answers in her latest update. Is Tax-Free Childcare...

Pension tax break?

22nd October 2018
After deferring your state pension for a few years you have decided that it’s now time to take it. You have the option of a higher pension or a lump sum. The latter offers the chance of some tax planning but what’s involved? Kevin Ferguson advises. Deferred state pension As you may know, the government...

The Scottish tax system – a perfect marriage

1st August 2018
The new five rate Scottish tax system has thrown up some problems since it was introduced, this time it’s a twist in the way that Marriage Allowance works. Some people will lose, whilst others will gain, but how can you work out which group you’re in? Brona MacDougall takes a closer look. As you will...
Joanne Gibson Head of Payroll

A ‘worker’ not self employed

27th July 2018
As you might have seen in the news recently, The Supreme Court has upheld earlier decisions confirming an individual’s claim that he was a ‘worker’ and not self-employed. But what are the tax and NI consequences of this ruling? Joanne Gibson discusses the Pimlico Plumbers case and its decision on employment status. The long-running and...

Clever Planning for Inheritance Tax

27th June 2018
Inheritance Tax could potentially cost your loved one’s hundreds of thousands of pounds, yet it is possible to dramatically reduce this or even to pay none at all. Brona MacDougall our Senior Tax Manager provides you with some superb advice for effective IHT planning. Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax on the estate of someone...

PENSION RELIEF FOR SCOTTISH TAXPAYERS?

2nd May 2018
The new Scottish tax rates left taxpayers pretty confused over how they would work with tax relief for pension contributions. What are HMRC saying about this? Kevin Crowford takes a closer look. When the new Scottish five-tier tax rates were announced there was no mention of how this would fit in with the UK three-tier...
Kevin Crowford, Partner at JRW CA

INCORPORATING YOUR BUSINESS – The Hidden Tax

29th March 2018
You are looking to incorporate your business and you’ve heard that any resulting tax charges can be legitimately mitigated. However, there is tax to pay as Kevin Crowford shows in his latest blog. Undoubtedly one of the main reasons for transferring a sole trader business to a company in which you own shares is tax...

BE SMART ABOUT CASUAL LABOUR

13th March 2018
As an employer, you’ll be aware of the increasing number of obligations when employing and looking after your staff.  But this also has an impact on employing casual workers too, Kevin Ferguson looks at the Tax do’s and don’ts of employing casual workers. You will probably know from experience that these days employers must not...

SCOTTISH BUDGET – new rates, bands and pension tax relief

12th March 2018
With more changes than you can shake a stick at, this is article includes a summary of the new Scottish Tax rates and bands which come into effect on 6 April. The Scottish Government Budget announced new Scottish Income Tax rates and bands for the 2018 to 2019 tax year. These were confirmed on 20...