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Pensions and auto-enrolment
37% of small businesses are paying above the 1% legal minimum contribution to an employee’s workplace pension. The People’s Pension survey of 898 business owners that have already passed their staging date found that the majority (70%) said auto-enrolment was beneficial to their staff.
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Income and work
A quarter of employees have financial problems that are affecting their performance at work. A CIPD survey of over 1,800 UK employees found that 31% of those aged 18-24 are facing financial concerns that they feel are negatively impacting their ability to do their job effectively. 20% of those earning £45,000 – £59,999 say that…
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Retirement income
Median income for retired households rose by 3.1% between 2014/15 and 2015/16, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest disposable income and inequality statistics show that median income for retired households at the end of 2015/16 was £21,800. This is an increase of 13% (around £2,500) from 2007/08. The median income for…
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SME borrowing update
SME borrowing is projected to rise 22% in 2017, according to Zurich. The survey of 1,000 SME owners showed that firms are planning to borrow an average of £41,770. This would see lending to SMEs rise to over £50 billion in 2017. Anne Griffiths, head of SME proposition at Zurich, said: “Borrowing can often be…
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Raising business finance – your options
Raising finance for small businesses. Raising finance is a crucial but challenging aspect of running a successful business, whether you’re launching a start-up or looking to expand your operations. You can have the best product in the world, a solid business plan and a comprehensive marketing strategy, but if you can’t access the necessary finance…
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Defined contribution pensions and tax
A guide to the tax implications of accessing your pension. After decades of contributing to a defined contribution pension and watching it grow, there comes a point when an individual’s working life ends and their retirement begins. Your pension savings are likely to be the primary financial tool that you have to ensure you live…
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VAT flat rate changes
Changes to the VAT flat rate scheme could have significant effects on the tax liability of small businesses that currently make use of the scheme. The flat rate scheme simplifies the process of calculating how much VAT a business needs to pay or claim back from HMRC. It introduces a fixed rate of VAT and…
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Tax and finance changes for 2017
A number of tax and finance changes are set to take place in 2017. It is important to start planning ahead of time so that you take advantage of any opportunities available. Some of the changes are in the process of being legislated through parliament and may be subject to change.
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Self-assessment reminder
The deadline to submit your online tax return for 2015/16 is no later than midnight on 31 January 2017.
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Self-assessment – how and when?
How and when to complete your self-assessment tax return. HMRC uses self-assessment to collect tax from individuals who run their own businesses or if they receive income that is not taxed through PAYE.
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Property income and tax – what you need to know
There are many ways to earn an income from property such as residential properties, furnished holiday lettings, commercial properties and renting out a room in your house. The exact tax treatment and allowable expenses will differ depending on the type of property you own and your level of income.
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Workplace pensions £17b
£17 billion extra a year will be saved into workplace pensions as a result of auto-enrolment by 2019/20, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
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Business rate changes April 2017
Two changes to business rates are due to come into effect from 1 April 2017.
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Small business finance options
Small businesses that have been rejected for finance by banks may be matched with alternative finance providers under a government scheme.
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Autumn Statement 2016
Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered Autumn Statement 2016 to parliament on 23 November 2016.
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Starting a business
Things to consider when starting a business. Last year 608,110 businesses were incorporated according to data from Companies House. This is a year-on-year increase of 26,937 on the 581,173 businesses started in 2014. However, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 55% of new businesses fail within 5 years. In order to avoid…
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IHT and the nil-rate band
A detailed guide to the residence nil-rate band for inheritance tax. The rise in property prices throughout the UK means that even those with modest assets may find that their estate exceeds the £325,000 nil-rate band for inheritance tax (IHT). The percentage of properties sold for more than £325,000 has doubled since the current nil-rate…
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Autumn Statement 2016
Chancellor Philip Hammond is due to deliver his Autumn Statement on 23 November 2016. Speaking at the Conservative party conference in October, Hammond said the government will prioritise spending on housing and business investment to boost the economy. Here is a round-up of some of the potential measures that could be announced.
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Higher earning parents use flexible working
Parents who earn more are more likely to work flexibly, according to the charity Working Families. 69% of parents who earn more than £70,000 a year work in a flexible way, compared to 47% of those earning between £10,000 and £40,000. More than two thirds (68%) of all working parents said their work interferes with…
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Businesses lack export ambition
Most businesses don’t currently export and don’t intend to start, according to research by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). 69% of businesses have never traded overseas and have no plans to do so in the future despite high-profile government campaigns.
