Straight from the horse’s mouth

Self Employed Income Support Scheme – Fifth Grant

22nd July 2021
As the Self Employed Income Support Scheme winds down for, what we can only hope is the final time, there are some additional complexities to consider in the claims process. There are two levels of grant award available on this occasion, calculated as either 80% or 30% of pre-pandemic income.  The level of grant available...

Does your Guest House qualify for letting relief?

8th July 2021
Since April 2020 there have been restrictions on when letting relief on the disposal of residential property can be claimed. You are selling your Guest House and would like advice about potential letting relief. Brona MacDougall advises. Letting relief changes Letting relief can reduce a chargeable gain by up to £40,000 for someone letting accommodation...

The benefits of company mobile phones?

7th July 2021
David has just taken out a contract on the latest mobile phone. As he uses it mainly for work, he wants to put the cost through his company. But what are the tax consequences for him and the business? Wendy Brown finds out. David was so keen to get his hands on the latest mobile...

Out of pocket business expenses and tax

6th July 2021
Susan has been meeting some business expenses out of her own pocket. But can your company pay you interest for using your own money and is there any tax advantage to doing so? Naomi Swan takes a look. Susan is the sole director and shareholder of a small company. She frequently travels for work and...

July Q&A

2nd July 2021
REVERSE CHARGE FOR BUILDERS Q. I am a builder, and my cash flow has been badly hit by the new reverse charge rules. This is largely because I am no longer being paid VAT by my builder clients to use as working capital until my quarterly VAT return is due. Is it possible to issue...

Winding down of Furlough scheme

1st July 2021
From 1st July 2021, employers must now pay part of employees’ furlough wages as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) starts to wind down. What do you need to know? Head of Payroll Joanne Gibson advises. For claim periods ending on or before 30 June 2021 you could claim (from the CJRS) 80% of an...

Is a home charging point tax exempt?

14th June 2021
Your company is paying for an electric charging point to be fitted at your home. Both you and your partner will use it as you each have electric cars. But will this count as a taxable benefit in kind and what are the tax consequences if you sell your home? Joanne Gibson advises. The tax...

Can car fuel be a perk?

8th June 2021
Company cars continue to be a popular benefit in kind. However, employer-paid-for fuel has a poor reputation for resulting in disproportionately high tax bills. Is this still justified or might it be time for another look? Helen Johnstone does just that. Car versus fuel The calculation of tax and Class 1A NI on company cars...

Exposing hidden business property relief

7th June 2021
Inheritance tax (IHT) planning often involves giving away your wealth, but as a business owner business property relief (BPR) can significantly reduce IHT. What can you do to help your estate achieve the maximum relief? Inheritance tax expert Brona MacDougall advises. IHT and business property Where you own a business, or a share of one,...
JRW Buy_to_let guide

A Guide to Buy To Let

27th May 2021
In our Buy to Let Guide, we look at the pros and cons of letting out residential property in the UK (including furnished holiday accommodation) for the tax year beginning 6 April 2021. We do not cover the letting of commercial property in this guide but are happy to advise on that area of investment...