A computer on a desk in a city background displaying Making Tax Digital delays on the screen.

MTD for ITSA delay

Making Tax Digital for income tax self-assessment (MTD for ITSA) was originally set to roll out in 2018, but the road to personal tax digitalisation has been relatively rocky to date. While the Government successfully introduced MTD for VAT for returns starting on or after 1 April 2022, MTD for ITSA has been postponed five[…]

Spring Budget 2023 Overview: A Comprehensive Guide to Key Measures | Jack Ross Chartered Accountants

The Spring Budget 2023 is finally here, and it brings with it a plethora of measures aimed at boosting economic growth and improving the financial outlook for businesses and households alike. In this blog post, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key measures announced in the Budget Statement.

Firstly, we examine the impact of falling natural gas prices on inflation, which is projected to drop to below 3% by the end of the year. This decrease in inflation will help businesses avoid steep increases in payroll and borrowing costs, as well as ease the squeeze on households facing a decline in living standards.

Next, we discuss the Bank of England’s base rate, which is projected to peak significantly lower than the 5% assumed in the Autumn Statement. This change is good news for homeowners and businesses, indicating a more stable financial environment.

We then delve into the critical tax measures highlighted in the Budget Statement under the Chancellor’s focus on Enterprise and Employment. While there was no change to the decision to increase the primary Corporation Tax rate to 25%, the Chancellor announced a Full Expensing approach for qualifying plant and machinery, which aims to incentivize business investment.

The Spring Budget also brings better news for SMEs, with increased R&D relief granted for R&D-intensive businesses. Although this improvement doesn’t reach the levels of relief previously available, it is a positive step forward.

The proposed abolition of the Lifetime Allowance charge, which removes the cap on the amount of pension savings someone can have, is a significant surprise in employment policies. This major shift in government policy will result in a rethink for employees regarding their approach to pension savings.

The Chancellor structured his plans around the four Es, which he believes are critical in unlocking the UK’s national potential: Enterprise, Education, Employment, and Everywhere. However, measures like increased childcare support will take time to materialize and affect growth numbers.

The budget also includes measures supporting R&D and investment in fast-growth sectors. However, it lacks a grand strategy for boosting productivity and overall economic resilience, similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act or the EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan.

In summary, the Spring Budget 2023 brings relatively better news on the short-term economic outlook and includes several commendable measures. While it doesn’t represent a game-changing budget, it sets the stage for future growth and development.

Full Expensing: A Game-Changer for UK Capital Investment, the end of the Super-deduction, and other Corporation Tax changes

In recent years, full expensing has emerged as a powerful incentive for businesses to maximise their investments and minimise their corporation tax liabilities. As the super-deduction policy expires in 2023, full expensing is set to become a vital tool for stimulating capital investment and economic growth in the UK. This article will explore the intricacies[…]

When Companies Pay Interest on a Loan from Individuals in the UK, Withholding Tax Deduction and CT61: An Overview for UK resident taxpayer

As a business owner or investor in the UK, it is important to understand the rules and processes involved in receiving interest from companies. In this article, we cover withholding tax, the CT61 form, and how to claim a tax credit for withheld tax. Get the information you need to comply with UK tax laws and ensure that you are accurately reporting your income.

An entrepreneur reduces their taxable profits with tax relief schemes such as capital allowances and super deduction.

Capital allowances and the super deduction

Capital allowances are an expenditure a business may claim against its taxable profit. When a business incurs costs, such as salary payments, it can usually deduct them as expenses from its taxable profits. This reduces the tax due. However, when it buys assets for operational purposes, things are not quite so straightforward. There are HMRC[…]

An office building for a business savings program

Business savings during a recession

Nobody wants one, but a recession in the UK is looming. The Bank of England (BoE) and British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) predict the UK will enter one before 2023. The monetary policy committee of the BoE wrote: “The latest rise in gas prices has led to another significant deterioration in the outlook for activity[…]

HMRC updates MTD guidance

After much anticipation from accountancy bodies and businesses, HMRC has finally updated its guidance on Making Tax Digital (MTD), filling in several blanks. HMRC updated some of its informational pages on GOV.UK in late August, including fresh information on how to meet the requirements for MTD for income tax self-assessment (ITSA) and how to sign[…]

Taxpayers unprepared for Making Tax Digital

People are unprepared and unenthusiastic for Making Tax Digital (MTD), according to a survey commissioned by HMRC. Global market research group Ipsos recently released data suggesting a lack of preparation for MTD. They said “awareness of MTD in general, and MTD for income tax self-assessment (ITSA) specifically was low”. MTD ITSA will require people with[…]

Tax investigations by HMRC

HMRC recently announced new powers to carry out investigations on companies they suspect of evading taxes. As a business owner, you might be worrying about what happens if your company comes under scrutiny. Even if you’ve played entirely by the rules, the stress of an investigation can be a lot to deal with. Even more[…]