From 11 October, the interest rates on late tax payments rise again in line with the Bank of England’s (BoE) latest base rate increase.

The BoE increased the base rate by 0.5 per cent to 2.25 per cent in September, as a result of inflation.

Due to this, the late payment and repayment interest rates applied to tax debts will rise to:

• Late payment interest rate — 4.75 per cent
• Repayment interest rate — 1.25 per cent

HMRC interest rates are set in legislation and linked directly to the base rate, so the latest rise has been automatically triggered by these changes.

The late payment rate last increased to 4.25 per cent on 23 August – the highest rate since January 2009.

This interest is due on late tax bills for:

• Income Tax
• National Insurance Contributions
• Capital Gains Tax
• Stamp Duty Land Tax

The file and pay rate for Corporation Tax increases to 4.75 per cent with effect from 11 October.

Meanwhile, the interest charged on underpaid quarterly instalment payments increase to 3.25 per cent and the interest paid on overpaid quarterly instalment payments and on early payments of Corporation Tax not due by instalments rose to two per cent from 3 October 2022.

You should be aware that any further increases in the BoE base rate could further drive-up these rates and increase the cost of tax debts.

Link: HMRC interest rates for late and early payments

With a new King at the Palace and a new Prime Minister at Number 10, it was no surprise that the new Chancellor at Number 11 used his first statement to the House of Commons to signal a “new era” for fiscal policy.

It turned out to be a striking change of direction, as the Chancellor opened his speech, saying: “We will be bold and unashamed in pursuing growth, even where that means taking difficult decisions”.

Gone was the Sunak era’s post-Covid emphasis on fiscal responsibility. Instead, in what the Government dubbed its ‘Plan for Growth’, Kwasi Kwarteng set out an approach prioritising tax cuts for individuals and businesses over immediate repairs to the public finances.

The Chancellor’s assumption is that cutting tax rates will boost economic growth and so increase the overall tax take.

This was Mr Kwarteng’s first real test as Chancellor, 18 days into the job, with inflation sitting at 9.9 per cent and energy prices spiking, interest rates rising, a weakened pound, plus the economic recovery from Covid by no means complete.

Only a day earlier, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee had raised interest rates sharply by half a percentage point to 2.25 per cent – the highest level in eight years – in a bid to stave off spiking inflation.

Despite being a Fiscal Statement rather than a Budget, the policies trailed in the days and weeks running up to the speech suggested that it might prove to be more significant an event than many full Budgets.

• Income Tax
• National Insurance Contributions/ Health and Social Care Levy
• IR35 off-payroll working rules
• Corporation Tax
• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
• Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) and SEIS
• Investment Zones
• Energy Bills
• Conclusion

Income Tax

In a speech full of significant announcements, perhaps the most notable related to Income Tax.

The Chancellor announced that the Additional Rate of Income Tax, which is currently 45 per cent on income over £150,000 will be scrapped entirely.

He then moved to bring forward the cut in the Basic Rate of Income Tax to 19 per cent planned for April 2024 to April 2023.

---

National Insurance Contributions/ Health and Social Care Levy

Another landmark policy of the Johnson Government was the 1.25 per cent Health and Social Care Levy paid by employees and employers to help meet the cost of social care.

The current tax year is a transitional year in which the increase has been applied to National Insurance Contributions and it was to have become a standalone tax from April 2023.

Now, the Chancellor has announced that the charge will be scrapped and will no longer apply from 6 November 2022.

He said the reason for the move was to support smaller businesses, help households and boost economic growth.

---

IR35 off-payroll working rules

In an unexpected move, the Chancellor announced that the reforms to the IR35 off-payroll working rules in 2017 and 2021 for individual contractors operating via personal service companies in the public and private sectors respectively would be scrapped.

The change means that it will no longer be the responsibility of the organisation engaging contractors’ services to determine whether a contractor should pay tax on the same basis as an employee. Instead, that responsibility will revert to the contractor, as was the case previously.

---

Cancellation of planned Corporation Tax increase

The last Chancellor but one, Rishi Sunak, had announced a plan to increase the rate of Corporation Tax from 19 per cent to 25 per cent from April 2023 for companies with profits of more than £250,000. Those with profits of between £50,000 and £250,000 would have benefitted from tapered relief, while there would have been no increase for those with profits of £50,000 or less.

In a striking change from the previous Government’s policy, and consistent with the Prime Minister's leadership campaign pledge, Mr Kwarteng announced that the planned increase will no longer go ahead and Corporation Tax rates will remain at 19 per cent.

He said that the rationale for the change is to encourage the investment needed to help the economy grow.

---

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

In what might prove to become a tug of war between the Treasury and the Bank of England, just a day after many homeowners learned of a painful interest rate rise, the Chancellor offered substantial consolation in the form of a cut to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Indeed, just yesterday, the Governor of the Bank of England wrote to the Chancellor to warn him that tax cuts might mean even sharper interest rate rises.

Undeterred, the Chancellor pressed ahead with a move to double the SDLT threshold from £125,000 to £250,000 with immediate effect. For first-time buyers, the threshold will rise to £425,000 on properties of up to £625,000. The measure will apply permanently.

---

Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) and SEIS

In another surprise move, the Chancellor announced that the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) would not fall back to £200,000 in 2023 but would instead remain at its current £1 million level permanently.

Meanwhile, he said there would be a two-thirds increase in the amount companies can raise through the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) to £250,000 from April 2023. At the same time, the Annual Investor Limit will rise to £200,000.

---

Investment Zones

The Chancellor also announced the launch of up to 40 Investment Zones. In England, he said the Government is considering time-limited tax incentives for 10 years, including 100 per cent Business Rates relief, 100 per cent first-year allowances for qualifying expenditure of plant and machinery and an enhanced Structures and Buildings Allowance.

He said the Government is also considering zero-rate Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on salaries of new employees in Investment Zones up to £50,270 a year, as well as full Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief on land and building bought for commercial or new residential development.

The Chancellor said he will work with the Devolved Administrations to offer similar incentives in Investment Zones across the UK.  

---

Energy Bills

Following on from the Prime Minister’s announcement on 8 September of the Energy Price Guarantee and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills in relation to business energy costs, the Chancellor reiterated the support being offered.

He said that the Energy Price Guarantee, alongside the £400 credit already announced will cut bills by around £1,400 for a typical household in comparison to the levels they were expected to reach without Government action.

Meanwhile, he confirmed that businesses, charities and public sector organisations will benefit from equivalent relief if they had not locked into a fixed-rate tariff by April 2022. That measure will last for six months from 1 October 2022.

The Chancellor said that the Government’s intervention will reduce inflation by around five percentage points.

---

Conclusion

The speech was a dramatic statement of the fiscal philosophy being pursued by the new occupants of Number 10 and Number 11 Downing Street. They hope that by reining in energy bills and cutting taxes, consumers will be prompted to spend and businesses will be more likely to invest, ultimately benefitting the public finances through increased tax receipts.

Whether that's likely to be the case will be a point of serious contention amongst economists and various factions of the Conservative Party, especially given rising inflation and the possible impact on interest rates. Many will see the measures as a serious gamble.

What is certain, however, is that businesses will be more interested in what actually comes to pass than any abstract debate about whether the Government is taking the best course of action.

Link: The Growth Plan 2022

A number of wealthy taxpayers – which HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) defines as anyone who earns over £200,000 a year or has assets of over £2 million – have been invited to chat with HMRC before filing their tax returns in a bid to prevent errors.

A Wealthy External Forum has also been set up to engage with organisations and create a better channel of communication with tax advisers.

New scheme

This is part of a new pilot scheme launched in April 2022 by HMRC.

It was not discussed with any professional organisations beforehand and it appears that the letters have only been sent to individuals instead of being copied to any tax agents or advisors, so please do not assume we are aware if you receive one.

The idea behind this is that HMRC can discuss any one-off transactions, changes in circumstances that may affect their taxes and any other common issues that come up in the past years.

It is not clear what this scheme will do in the long term as the letters say that any phone calls will not be classed as tax advice.

Receiving a letter such as this might make you assume that something is wrong, which is not necessarily the case.

What does this mean for you?

Regardless of your circumstances, if you have received a letter from HMRC encouraging a phone call to discuss your taxes, contact a tax adviser to ensure you are up to date on your information.

Calls with HMRC can be daunting despite being routine on their part.

A joint meeting is recommended as tax terms can be complicated and easily misunderstood.

We can help you with this and other topics. Contact us today.

Understanding Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a cause of frustration for many homebuyers.

SDLT is a complex issue.

We answer some of the most common questions about it.

What are the rates of SDLT?

It’s worth clarifying what the current rates of SDLT are before discussing some of the most common questions.

Individuals usually pay SDLT on increasing portions of the property price when you buy a residential property.

The amount you pay is determined by the following:

• When you purchased the property
• How much you paid for it

A useful SDLT calculator can be found on the Government website.

The amount you pay is dependant on either the property, lease premium, or transfer value.  

You are liable to pay Stamp Duty at the following rates if, once you have bought the property, it is the only residential property you own:

• Up to £125,000 – Zero SDLT rate
• The next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) – 2 per cent SDLT rate
• The next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000) – 5 per cent SDLT rate
• The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) – 10 per cent SDLT rate
• The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) – 12 per cent SDLT rate

Do you have to pay an SDLT surcharge if you are buying a second residence?

The three per cent SDLT surcharges cause a great deal of confusion.

This confusion surrounds when someone is purchasing a main residence, but already owns another property. In some instances, the timing of the purchase is key to avoiding an expensive mistake.

Consider the higher rates as a flow chart:

• If you hold an interest valued over £40,000 in any worldwide residential property?
  • If yes, the higher rates may apply
  • If nom then you are not in the scope of the higher rates
• Have you disposed of the main residence within the last three years?
  • If yes, the higher rates will not apply as long as other conditions are met

Do I qualify as a first-time buyer and get the SDLT discount if I am purchasing my first home?

To qualify for the SDLT first-time buyer discount you cannot have held either a freehold or leasehold interest in a residential property anywhere in the world.

This is inclusive of properties you might have inherited or been gifted if you are a beneficiary of a trust.

At present, first time buyers paying £300,000 or less for a residential property pay no SDLT.

First time buyers who pay between £300,000 and £500,000 pay SDLT at 5 per cent on the amount of the purchase price in excess of £300,000.

If I gift a let property to someone do they have to pay SDLT?

SDLT is always calculated on chargeable consideration, or money/money’s worth.

Since a gift is freely given, no money changes hands.

It is important to note that “money’s worth” includes debt.

Therefore, if you gift property with a mortgage, SDLT will be chargeable on the value of the mortgage being transferred.

If I transfer my property portfolio for zero consideration into my company does the company pay SDLT?

There is a common misunderstanding surrounding this question.

Any transfer from individuals to a connected company occurs at market value.

If you need advice on Stamp Duty Land Tax, contact us today.

The UK has seen a boom in the ownership of Furnished Holiday Lets thanks to the increase in staycations.

As the summer holidays draw to a close many of us may be considering purchasing a holiday let to boost our income, but there are some very specific tax reliefs to consider when doing so.

What is a Furnished Holiday Let?

These types of properties are considered separate from other residential and commercial properties by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and are classified as trading businesses.

To qualify for the tax benefits that come with this, your holiday let must be actively promoted and let commercially, be furnished for normal occupation and be operated with the intent of making a profit.

It must also:

• Be available for commercial holiday letting to guests and holidaymakers for at least 210 days (30 weeks) per year; and
• Not be rented out by the same person for more than 31 days: and
• There shouldn’t be more than 155 days (+22 weeks) of this type of ‘long-term’ occupation per year; and
• It must be rented out as holiday accommodation to the public for at least 105 days (15 weeks) of the 210 days you have made it available.

If you or your family use the property this doesn’t count towards this total.

How are Furnished Holiday Lets taxed?

They are taxed in the same way as any other trading business and offer several tax benefits as a result, including being taxed on profits rather than an individual income, when set up as a limited company.

This can allow owners to enjoy a lower rate of Corporation Tax and mean that income is treated as tax-free earnings for pension purposes.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) reliefs can also be applied when a property is sold or transferred, including:

• Rollover Relief
• Gift Relief
• Business Asset Disposal Relief

Owners of Furnished Holiday Lets can also benefit from some capital allowances, such as the Annual Investment Allowance, on certain assets used and fixtures inherent in the property, such as heating, lighting, ventilation, data and power installations.

This expenditure can be deducted from the profits of the business for Corporation Tax purposes.

Owners can also benefit from profit sharing and no National Insurance contributions on income from their Furnished Holiday Let.

Links: Furnished Holiday Lettings

The Government could move to crack down on anyone providing accountancy services who is not professionally qualified.

As the law stands there is no requirement for these individuals, who can set up and start advising clients, to have professional qualifications.

High profile campaigns

A survey by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and conducted by YouGov shows that eight out of 10 MPs agree that anyone employed to deliver tax and accountancy services should be professionally qualified.

It follows HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) research published last year which revealed that 82 per cent of unregulated and unaffiliated tax agents are not qualified.

The AAT has previously run high-profile campaigns calling on the Government to make it compulsory for anyone offering tax and accountancy services to be a member of a professional body.

Fears of tax evasion and money laundering

It says those without relevant qualifications are jeopardising the delivery of services such as budgeting, tax returns and payroll for their customers or employers.

HMRC says two-thirds of agent-related complaints to them are about the one-third of agents who are unregulated with a consequent cost to the taxpayer.

This is not just because of poor advice but also due to tax evasion, egregious avoidance and money laundering.

There were stunning figures released in a new survey about business start-ups recently.

Data from small business lender iwoca showed that 93 new businesses were created every hour.

Despite economic headwinds, rising inflation and rocketing energy costs, the number jumped by 18 per cent year on year.

Data from Companies House show over 402,000 businesses were also registered between January and June 2022.

However, despite this surge in new businesses and demand for funding, many still struggle to secure the finance they need.

Lenders want security for loans

Commercial lenders want to know their money will be secure when they lend to a new business.

They want to be sure that the borrower can repay, or have their assets liquidated should they default.

Securing financing for a start-up is especially challenging, as it is inherently riskier than financing an existing business.

There are many ways of raising finance, including alternative methods, outside of traditional loans, such as angel investors, peer-to-peer platforms, crowdfunding or credit unions.

How can businesses improve their chances?

Measures that might persuade lenders to provide finance include:

• Having a strong, concise and clear business plan – Show the potential lender you have done your research, know your market and have the expertise and systems in place to execute your plan.
• Improving credit rating – Run your personal and commercial credit score before applying for a loan. If it is low, spend a couple of months working to improve it.
• Finding the right type of loan – Make sure the funding fits your needs, like an instalment loan, short-term loan or simpler line of credit.
• Provide collateral for the loan – Some lenders may ask for a guarantee before lending to you, such as business premises if owned by you, or assets such as plant machinery, which may make a lender willing to offer a secured loan. Some lenders may even ask you to put personal assets forward, such as your home.

Before trying to secure finance from a bank, it’s a smart move to speak to an accountant.

Rejected? Then start again

Find out why your application was rejected. Get as many specifics as possible for the rejection, so an updated plan can be presented.

Ask for recommendations from other potential lenders who might specialise in your field and then re-apply.

However, be careful not to make too many applications, as this could affect your credit score.

The march of the digital age and the effects of the pandemic have led to a Government institution closing its physical doors.

After two years of closure due to the pandemic, Companies House has confirmed that it will permanently close its office in London with all filing being transferred online.

It has also permanently shut the public counters in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh.

Online services will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Expenses incurred by employees are generally the responsibility of the employer.

Quite often, however, employees have to bear the cost themselves when travelling for work, having meals and even providing clothes, which in most cases are not tax deductible.

What employment expenses qualify for tax relief in the UK?

Work-related travel

Having to travel to a different location from the workplace is an essential travel expense. The commute to and from the location will be tax-deductible.

Clothing

This could be for any ‘specialist’ or protective work clothes which are not paid for by the employer – these are known as flat rate expenses.

You cannot usually claim for buying tools and specialist clothing, but you can claim for their upkeep, for example, repairing, cleaning or replacing them.

You may be able to claim a standard £60 allowance per year for the cost of upkeep and replacement of specialist or protective clothing. The tax reduction you get is usually 20 per cent of the allowance.

Subsistence costs

Accommodation and upkeep are tax-deductible when an employee is away from home on work trips.

Professional subscriptions

Professional organizations’ subscriptions may also qualify for tax relief. However, the subscription should be related to your job and be made to a professional association authorized by HMRC.

Working from home

Working from home became commonplace during the pandemic.

Employers can make tax and NIC-free payments to an employee in respect of reasonable additional costs incurred for working at home, for example, gas, electricity, telephone and internet.

However, HMRC allows a tax and NIC-free flat rate reimbursement of up to £6 a week without providing evidence of extra costs. Anything above that will require receipts or bills as evidence.

The tax relief works by taking off the amount from your employment income, reducing the taxable income and the tax you have to pay.

This has led to coining the phrase ‘tax deductible’ or ‘allowable’ expenses. You may have to claim to obtain this tax relief.

Link: What if I incur expenses in relation to my job?

New measures have been introduced for the even-handed treatment of spouses and civil partners who are in the process of separation, divorce or dissolution.

The new legislation clarifies Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules that apply to transfers of assets between spouses and civil partners, giving them up to three years in which to make no-gain or no-loss transfers of assets between themselves when they cease to live together, and unlimited time if the assets are the subject of a formal divorce agreement.

The new measure gives those who are separating more time to transfer assets between themselves without incurring a CGT charge.

The legislation also ensures that a partner who retains an interest in the former matrimonial home be given an option to claim Private Residence Relief (PRR) when it is sold.

These changes apply to disposals that occur on or after 6 April 2023.

Link: Capital Gains Tax: separation and divorce