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No penalties for late filing or payment, says HMRC

HMRC has announced that it will waive its usual penalties for late Self Assessment filing and payments for a month. This gives taxpayers extra time to complete their 2020 to 2021 tax returns and pay any tax due. The move is a response to the latest COVID-19 wave, which has impacted both businesses and accountants.

Despite this, more than 50% of taxpayers have already submitted their tax returns, ahead of the official deadline of 31 January 2022.

When do you need to file and pay by?

While the deadline to file and pay is still 31 January 2022, the penalty waivers mean that:

• You won’t receive a late filing penalty as long as you file online by 28 February
• You won’t receive a late payment penalty as long as you pay in full or set up a Time to Pay arrangement by 1 April – but you will start paying interest at a rate of 2.75% from 1 February.

A 5% late payment penalty will be charged if tax remains outstanding by midnight on 1 April 2022.

How does a Time to Pay arrangement work?

The Time to Pay service lets individuals or businesses spread tax payments over time. If you have under £30,000 of tax debt you can set this up online after filing your return.  

Since 5 April 2021, more than 30,000 taxpayers have used the Time to Pay service, managing tax totalling around £75 million.

Don’t forget to declare COVID-19 support

You must declare any grants or payments you have received from COVID-19 support schemes up to 5 April 2021 on your Self-Assessment, as these are taxable.

These include:

• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Eat Out to Help Out scheme

Other COVID-19 grants and support payments such as self-isolation payments and local authority grants.

Points to note

You can reduce your Payment on Account if you know your bill is going to be lower than the previous tax year – perhaps due to loss of earnings caused by COVID-19. Find out more about Reducing Payments on Account.

Self-employed taxpayers should ensure their annual Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) are paid on time to make sure their claims are unaffected. Class 2 NICs are included in the 2020 to 2021 Balancing Payment due to be paid by 31 January 2022.  Your benefit entitlements may be affected if you:

• can’t pay your Balancing Payment by 31 January 2022
• have set up a Time to Pay arrangement to pay off the Balancing Payment in instalments

Filing facts

33,467 tax returns were filed on New Year’s Eve, and 14,231 on New Year’s Day.

12.2 million tax returns are due by the 2022 deadline. Of these, 6.5 million have already been filed.

Help with your tax returns

We help lots of small businesses by managing their tax returns for them. As small business accountants in the Lune Valley, we’re here to take the stress out of Self-Assessment, tax returns, accounting payroll services and much more. Contact us to find out how we can help.

The deadline for online tax returns for the 2020/2021 tax year is 31 January 2022.  But don’t wait until the last minute. If you haven’t completed Self Assessment and submitted your return yet, make time to do it as soon as possible.

Did you know that more than 63,000 people filed their tax return on 6 April 2021, the very first day of the tax year? There’s no need to wait until the deadline to get things in order, and the longer you leave it, the more stressful it can become.

Here are our top tips to make filing your tax return simple and stress-free.

1. Check that you need to file a return

There are lots of situations where you will be required to file a tax return, but the main ones are:

• your total self-employment income was more than £1,000
• your income from renting out property was more than £2,500
• you earned more than £2,500 in untaxed income, for example from tips or commission
• your income from savings or investments was £10,000 or more before tax
• you’re a director of a company (unless it was a non-profit organisation, such as a charity)
• you, or your partner’s, income was over £50,000 and you’re claiming Child Benefit
• your taxable income was over £100,000
• your State Pension was more than your personal allowance, and your only source of income
• you received a P800 from HMRC saying you didn’t pay enough tax last year.
  

2. Find your UTR

The first thing you will need is your Unique Taxpayer Reference. Any customer who is new to Self-Assessment receives once they register via GOV.UK.

Check you can get into your Government Gateway account as soon as possible, to avoid a last-minute panic.

3. Get all your details together

Before you start your tax return, gather all the information you will need:

• Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
• Your National Insurance Number
• Details of your income throughout the year
• A list of your business expenses
• Details of charity donations or pension payments that may be eligible for tax relief
• P60 or other records of income that you have paid tax on.

This year you will also need details of grants or payments you received from COVID-19 support schemes up to 5 April 2021. These are taxable and include the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and other COVID-19 grants and support payments such as self-isolation payments, local authority grants and support for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

4. Find the right form

All Self-Assessments start with the S100 form, which asks you about taxed and untaxed income, pension contributions, charity donations and state benefits. You may also need to fill in additional forms depending on how your business is set up.

If you’re self-employed, you should also use:

form SA103S – the short version if your tax affairs are simple and your turnover was below the VAT threshold (£85,000) for the tax year

form SA103F – the full version – if your annual turnover was above the VAT threshold for the tax year

If you’re in a partnership, you should use:

form SA104S – the short version if you’re only declaring partnership trading income

form SA104F – the full version to record all the possible types of partnership income you might receive

5. Take a break if you need to

The tax return system allows you to save your progress to date, so if you need to stop completing the details for any reason, you don’t need to worry about all your work being lost.

6. Seek advice if you’re uncertain

If you’re unsure about whether something is an allowable expense, or have any other queries, it’s important to check. Either read through the guidance on the government site or get in touch with us for advice and support.

Remember that we can manage the Self Assessment process for you if you would rather not tackle it yourself!
 

7. Beware of fraud

HMRC urges everyone to be alert if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information.

There are many fraudsters emailing, calling or texting people claiming to be from HMRC. If in doubt, don’t reply directly, but contact HMRC straight away. You can also find information on the government website.

Worried about Self-Assessment Tax Returns? We can help. As small business accountants in the Lune Vyalle, we’re here to support you with tax returns, accounting payroll services and much more. Get in touch today.

While many of us were poised for big news about tax increases to cover pandemic spending, the Autumn Budget was not as dramatic as anticipated.

Here’s a round up of the most important points for UK taxpayers and small business owners.

1. The National Living Wage (NLW) is increasing

From 01 April 2022 the NLW will increase to £9.50 per hour for employees aged 23 or over.

2. No change to rates of income tax

The basic rate of income tax will remain at 20% for income over £12,570 and higher rate tax stays at 40% above £50,270.   The 45% additional rate will continue to apply to income over £150,000.

These rates will be frozen until 2025/26.

Something to note here is that the freezing of the thresholds may mean that if your income keeps pace with inflation, you may move into a higher tax band and pay tax at a higher marginal rate.

3. No change to Pension Tax Relief

The annual limit for pension input stays at £40,000 – both for individual and employer contributions.

The lifetime pension allowance remains at £1,073,100. This is the maximum total value of your pensions to enjoy tax-free benefits. If you exceed this amount you may need to pay a tax charge.

Note too, that the National Minimum Pension Age will move from 55 to 57 from 6 April 2028. This will affect you if you were born on or after 6 April 1973.

4. Increase to National Insurance

Touted as a measure to support the NHS and social care, from 06 April 2022 employees and the self-employed will start paying National Insurance Contributions on earnings over £9,880 at the following rates:-

Employees          13.25%

Self-employed    10.25%

The Upper Limit is frozen in line with the income tax higher rate threshold.  The new 3.25% rate will apply to earnings or self-employed profits above £50,270.

Employer contributions at 15.05% will apply to earnings above £9,100 a year for 2022/23.

4. New Dividend Income Tax rates

From 06 April 2022 the first £2,000 of dividend income will remain tax-free. Beyond that, new dividend tax rates will apply as follows:-

Basic Rate Tax Payer: 8.75%

Higher Rate Tax Payer: 33.75%

Additional Rate Tax Payer: 39.35%

This increase is a way of making sure that people in small businesses who pay themselves a low salary and minimal national insurance, still contribute to the aforementioned health and social care levy.

5. Changes to Business Rates

Rishi Sunak announced a 50% discount on business rates up to a limit of £110,000 for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

He also proposed an Online Sales Tax to balance out the advantage that online retailers have over their counterparts on the high street.  Further details on this will be confirmed at a later date.

6. More time to pay Capital Gains Tax

From October 2021, property owners now have 60 days to report and pay any capital gains tax due when selling residential property. 

With Business Asset Disposal Relief there remains a 10% rate of Capital Gains Tax on the first £1 million of lifetime gains.

7. Recovery loan scheme

The recovery loan scheme, originally due to end on 31 December 2021, has been extended by six months to 30 June 2022.

If you need funding to help you recover from the impact of the pandemic, this may help.

Need a bit more clarity about what the Budget means for you as an individual or as a small business owner? Just get in touch. As small business accountants in the Lune Valley, we provide tax advice, payroll services and much more. Contact us.

… and what it will mean for Sole Traders and Landlords

The government’s ongoing programme to make the tax system fully digital has been delayed for 12 months. HMRC announced the delay in October in recognition of the impact that the pandemic has had on British businesses.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax self assessment will now be introduced in the tax year beginning in April 2024.

Making self assessment digital will predominantly affect people who are Sole Traders and Landlords.

What will sole traders and landlords have to do?

From April 2024, individuals currently using self assessment for their income tax will need to use digital methods for their income tax accounting and reporting. This involves:

• Registering for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax by 6 April 2024
• Adopting an accounting software system that is compatible with Marking Tax Digital for Income Tax.
• Providing HMRC with quarterly updates using your software.
• Submitting an End of Period Statement by the end of January and a final declaration of all your income.
• Paying the balance of any tax and National Insurance contributions due.

Does this affect all landlords and sole traders?

Landlords only need to follow the Making Tax Digital rules if the rent they receive is more than £10,000 per year..

It will not affect landlords who set up a limited company for their property business, as these will pay corporation tax. Making Tax Digital for corporation tax will not arrive until at least 2026.

On a similar note, Making Tax Digital will apply to any sole traders whose income is more than £10,000 per year. If you are under the £10,000 threshold you will be able to continue to file your tax return in the normal way.

Are there any exceptions?

There is an option to apply to be ‘digitally excluded’ if it is not practical or possible for you to use a compliant software system. This might be due to disability or a lack of cloud connectivity where your business is based. You will need to evidence your reasons to HMRC.

Is there a way to make this simpler?

If you don’t already have an accountant, now may be a good time to appoint one. We will recommend a suitable accounting system that is compatible with Making Tax Digital.

While you will need to input your income and expenses into the system, your accountant can work out your quarterly updates, End of Period Statement and final declaration. We will also make sure you keep to all the deadlines.

Although there is no rush to move to a cloud based system just yet, the sooner you get used to a new accounting system, the more confident you will feel by the time the new requirements become law.

We’re happy to talk you through Making Tax Digital and what’s involved. We’re accountants for Sole Traders and landlords across the Lune Valley area. We also manage payroll services and corporate accounts. Just get in touch!

Earlier this month, Boris Johnson announced a new health and social care tax to fund reforms to the care sector and NHS funding. It is set to raise £36bn for front line services over the next three years. 

The tax will begin as a 1.25% rise in National Insurance from April 2022. It will be paid by both employers and employees. From 2023 it will become a separate tax on earned income, calculated in the same way as National Insurance and appearing on an employee’s payslip. 

The Prime Minister also announced an equivalent increase to dividend tax to help cover social care costs.

What’s the purpose of the new tax?

The Prime Minister says that part of the £12bn a year will support the NHS to catch up on the backlog created by COVID-19, increasing hospital capacity for appointments, scans, and operations. The money will also go towards changes to the social care system. A new cap to care costs is to be introduced from October 2023. The maximum any individual will pay in care costs will be £86,000 over their lifetime.  

Everyone with assets worth less than £20,000 will then have their care fully covered by the state. People with between £20,000 and £100,000 in assets will see their care costs subsidised. 

What does the increase mean to working individuals?

As shown in the diagram below, taken from the BBC website, an individual earning £20,000 will now pay an additional £130 per year in National Insurance. Someone on a £50,000 salary will pay a further £505 per year.

What does it mean to employers?

Employers will need to re-budget to allow for these additional employer’s National Insurance costs. Note that existing reliefs on NICs, including the employment allowance, will also apply to the levy. 

Some options to consider include:

• Exploring share option schemes rather than bonuses for higher earning employees.

• Salary sacrifice as an even more efficient way of making pension contributions – this reduces the salary on which employer and employee NICs are paid.

What does it mean to shareholders?

The equivalent increase to Dividend Tax will mean a similar impact to limited company owners and savers.

To mitigate this increase, small business owners could declare increased Dividends before April 2022.

To discuss how this change could impact you or your business, get in touch with us today. 

The switch to electric vehicles is well underway, which spells good news for CO2 reduction and pollution in the UK. There are now more than 260,000 electric cars and 535,000 hybrid models on our roads.

The UK government is actively promoting the purchase of electric vehicles as part of its commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. It has already announced that new petrol and diesel cars will no longer be sold in the UK by 2030.

In addition, the government has introduced incentives for both businesses and individuals to adopt electric cars and commercial vehicles.

Plug In Grants

A government scheme allows individuals to buy low-emission vehicles with a plug-in grant. The grant covers up to 35% of the purchase price for various vehicles, up to a maximum of £2,500. A list of the vehicles involved is available on this page. The grant is automatically applied to the purchase price when you visit a car dealer.

Vehicle tax breaks

Vehicle Excise Duty is calculated based on CO2 emissions, which makes electric vehicles exempt as they produce zero CO2.

For plug-in hybrid vehicles, owners pay tax in line with the level of CO2 produced – all the details are listed on the government website.

Electric vehicles are currently exempt from the additional £335 in vehicle tax for cars with a list price exceeding £40,000.

Company car tax breaks

A well-known drawback to company cars is that they often create more personal tax liability than they save in corporation tax. Employees who have company cars pay tax on company benefits (Benefit in Kind) of up to 37%.

But if the employee uses a purely electric company car, the Benefit in Kind rate is set at 1% in 2021/22, rising to 2% in 2022/23. This tax rate offers major savings compared with standard vehicles. To calculate your company car/fuel benefit, visit the HMRC website.

Electric Vans

There is also a 1% Benefit in Kind charge for employees who drive fully electric vans and use them privately. The road tax on electric vans is zero.

If you’re looking into electric vans, tread carefully, as not all ‘vans’ qualify as such. Make sure that the vehicle you choose is eligible for tax breaks.

Benefits when driving in Central London

Electric vehicles are an attractive option for those who regularly drive in London, as zero-emission vehicles that meet specific criteria gain a 100% discount on the Congestion Charge. Clean Air zones are also in place in Bath, Birmingham and, from late 2021, Portsmouth. Some London boroughs free parking or discounted parking for electric vehicles.

To discuss ways you can benefit from tax cuts on electric vehicles, get in touch. Our accountancy services in the Lune Valley include personal and business tax planning. We’re trusted accountants for small businesses and individuals, and will be pleased to advise you.

All limited companies pay Corporation Tax on an annual basis. How does it work, and how will the new Super Deduction offer benefits for UK businesses?

What is Corporation Tax?

Corporation tax is paid by UK limited companies and is based on annual profits. Certain expenses can be deducted, and various allowances can help reduce your tax liability.

Corporation tax applies to:

• Trading profits – the earnings from doing business
• Investments
• Selling assets such as land, property, shares, and machinery

Who pays corporation tax?

Corporation tax is paid by all UK limited companies, but not Sole Traders and partnerships. These fill out a tax return and apply income tax to their earnings. Some non-limited organisations do pay Corporation Tax, such as charities and associations.

How much is corporation tax in the UK?

The main rate is set at 19% for all business profits and will remain at this level until 2023.

From April 2023, if your taxable profits are above £250,000 then corporation tax will be payable at 25%. If your profits are £50,000 or less, they will remain at 19%. For profits between these limits, you’ll pay a marginal rate of effectively 26.5% – but with the benefit of marginal relief.

When does corporation tax have to be paid?

Your corporation tax is paid annually, before you file your company tax return. The date it is due therefore depends on your corporation tax accounting period.  

You must settle your corporation tax bill nine months and one day after the end of your accounting period from the previous financial year.

Corporation Tax Relief – Expenses

There are various business expenses that you can deduct from your company’s income before calculating the annual profit on which you will be taxed.

These include things like marketing costs, insurance, equipment, training, travel and pensions.

Corporation Tax Relief – The Super Deduction

In the Budget 2021, the Chancellor announced the Super Deduction, a new tax allowance to support business investment.

It was announced as ‘the biggest business tax cut in modern British history’. It is certainly a generous allowance, where a company can claim back 25p for every £1 invested in qualifying machinery and equipment.

It’s only a temporary measure, though, available from 1st April 2021 until 31 March 2023. If you are planning to invest in your business, it is worth prioritising these investments to take advantage of this new allowance.

How do I work out the Super Deduction?

Companies generally claim for assets at 100% of their value to get tax relief. So, with Corporation Tax at 19%, the tax relief on an asset worth £10,000 is 19% of its full value – or £1,900.

But the super deduction allows you to claim relief on 130% of the asset’s value. So, the tax relief of an asset worth £10,000 would be calculated on 130% of its value. From a tax perspective your asset is now worth £13,000, and you get tax relief of £2,470 (19% of £13,000 is £2,470).

The headline figure of 25p per £1 comes from the fact that 19% of 130% of an asset’s value is roughly the same as 25% of 100% of its value.

Who is eligible for the super-deduction?

Any business that pays Corporation Tax is eligible for the super-deduction. It’s seen as particularly appealing to companies in the manufacturing, farming and construction industries.

What qualifies as plant and machinery?

HMRC haven’t released a formal definition of the assets covered by the Super Deduction. But as most tangible assets for a business are considered ‘plant and machinery’ from a tax point of view, qualifying assets generally include:

• IT equipment and servers
• Office chairs and desks
• Tractors, lorries, vans
• Ladders, tools
• Electric vehicle charge points
• Cranes
• Refrigeration units
• Compressors

What assets don’t qualify?

You can’t claim for cars, shares, or residential property. You can only claim on assets purchased as part of a property if you buy the property brand new, direct from the developer.

You must not have entered the contract to purchase any asset before 31 March 2021.

Are second-hand or buy-to-rent assets included?

No – the Super Deduction only applies to new plant and machinery, and you cannot use it for equipment you’re planning to rent out.

HMRC has confirmed that the Super-Deduction can be used on equipment purchased via hire purchase finance, as long as you are given ownership of the assets under the agreement.

Does the Super Deduction help address the planned Corporation Tax rise?

The Super Deduction is essentially an incentive for businesses to invest in equipment, which in turn will help boost the economy.

Businesses that take advantage of the super deduction will essentially be able to get tax relief at the future 25% rate early, as shown in the table below.

	With the super-deduction, before Corporation Tax increases	Without the super-deduction, after Corporation Tax increases
Asset value	£10,000	£10,000
Claiming tax relief on	130% of the assets value = £13,000	100% of the assets value = £10,000
Corporation Tax	19%	25%
Corporation Tax relief	19% of £13,000 = £2,470	25% of £10,000 = £2,500

How to get corporate tax advice

Corporate tax planning can be complex, especially if you’re a small business owner without an extensive finance team. Here at Wootton Co in the Lune Valley, we’re highly experienced in providing corporation tax services as business accountants. Let us help you explore how you can plan business investments to take full advantage of the Super Deduction and other tax allowances. Contact us.

A healthy cashflow is crucial for small companies to navigate the ups and downs of business. Improve cashflow to help you plan ahead, budget for future spending and handle the unexpected.

If you want to get your business to a better cashflow position, here are seven steps to success.

1. Start forecasting

Take time to look ahead, and you will better understand the cycles and trends within your business. It’s good to take a year-long view, so plan out the costs that your business will need to cover: salaries, stock, equipment, rent, tax etc. over the next 12 months. Then estimate your monthly income for the year.

Work out the difference between the two, and you’ll see how your profits look month by month. This information will help you plan in other spending when your business is in the strongest cash position.

2. Credit control

Keep on top of your invoicing, make sure each bill states your payment terms and follow up any late payments promptly. The best way to get a customer to pay up is to become a nuisance! Don’t be afraid to call and email to chase up a late payer – this is your money and should be sitting in your company account, not theirs.

3. Increase supplier payment terms

A great way to improve your cashflow is to negotiate longer payment terms with your suppliers. Not everyone will agree to this, but if you can extend a term from 30 to 45 or even 60 days, you will have more flexibility with your bills. That way you can pay once income has arrived from your customers.

4. Automate your systems

The power of accounting software can’t be understated. If you aren’t already using online tools to manage your invoicing, tax and banking, take a look. These systems are easy to use, highly efficient and will save you time and money.

5. Stock management

Having too much stock can mean pressure on storage and a cashflow deficit – but not enough stock can affect your supply chain and customer relationships. Taking charge of your inventory is an important step in cashflow management.

6. Reduce your costs

It’s important to take a regular look at where your money is going and whether there are savings to be made. Often fixed assets and monthly subscriptions can add up.

Checking whether you can get a better deal on telephone systems, IT and insurance can often save considerable amounts. Look too at company vehicles and other assets – are their options to lease them rather than own outright?

7. Prepare for the worst

… and hope for the best. It’s always worth having a backup plan in case things go wrong or something unexpected happens. Do you have a credit facility with your bank? How would you manage if you suddenly needed to outlay a substantial sum? Setting up an emergency plan could prove invaluable one day.

Need some help with business accounting and planning? Wootton & Co in the Lune Valley provide the full set of accountancy services including bookkeeping, corporate tax planning and VAT returns.

We support and advise our clients on many aspects of business finance and cashflow, so get in touch with us today.

New rules were introduced by the government last month which will impact contractors and self-employed people that do regular work for certain clients. Called IR35, this new legislation has been brought in to make sure that contractors pay the same amount of tax and National Insurance as they would if they were employed by their client.

It relates to an area called ‘off-payroll working,’ where contractors working through their own limited company – are acting as a permanent full-time or part-time employee of their client’s organisation.

What are the new rules?

As of 6th April 2021, the client who hires the contractor is responsible for determining whether their contractor is ‘inside IR35’ or operates ‘outside IR35’.

If a contractor provides services to a medium or large-sized private sector client, they will:

1. need employment status determination from the client, as well as the reasons why they made that determination
2. be able to dispute the determination given to them if they disagree

If you are ‘Inside IR35’

If the client feels you are operating ‘inside IR35’, you must pay the same tax as an employee. This could also mean that you are entitled to additional rights as an employee or worker (e.g. minimum wage, holiday pay, maternity pay, protection from discrimination). You may be offered an employment contract with your client.

If you’re found to be working inside IR35 but have not become an employee, you will usually have to pay at the end of the tax year any tax deductions or NIC that an employee would have paid.

Am I likely to be Inside or Outside IR35?

The Government has said this will not affect people who work as genuine freelancers. It is targeted largely at contractors who work for a single client for several months or years.

You’re more likely to be considered Outside IR35 if you:

• Work for multiple clients.
• Are paid a variable amount month to month.
• Are paid by the job rather than by the hour.
• Can substitute your labour with another.
• Market your services via a professional website.
• Have your own business insurance and equipment.

You can check the specifics on the Government Website – there is also a Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool to find out if you should be classed as employed or self-employed for tax purposes.
Learning from the public sector

The same ruling was brought in purely for the public sector in 2017. Generally, it led to a reduction in the number of external consultants being taken on by public sector organisations.

I’m a contractor – how can I get around the IR35 legislation?

If you are concerned that IR35 will negatively affect your business, there are a couple of options:

1. Work with small businesses.
There is no change to the rules for contractors providing services to small businesses in the private sector.

2. Work for an umbrella company
If you are a self-employed contractor but operate under an umbrella company, you don’t need to worry about IR35. But being an employee of an umbrella company does not maximise your tax planning and there may be better alternatives.

3. Partner with other contractors
One of the key checks is that you can substitute with other contractors and so an agreement with other contractors may eliminate this issue.

4. Negotiate new rates
Some clients will be open to new ways of working to retain important contract resource.
Note, however, that as an employee you may not be in a worse position. Contracts up to £10,000 can be more lucrative if performed as an employee. Not to mention the added protection and benefits employment brings.

Further help and support

For detailed tax advice and small business support, get in touch. David Wootton & Co are business tax accountants for small business owners like you – we can explore your specific situation and work out the most effective approach for your company.

David Wootton & Co – Lune Valley Accountants. Call us on 01524 236323 or email david@woottonandco.com