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a friendly service covering audit, tax, accounts, self assessment,
We offer a personal service and welcome new clients.
We are a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants
and tax advisors in Derby helping businesses
From start-up to exit & everything in-between.
Whether you’re struggling with company formation,
annual accounts and taxation, payroll or VAT you can
count on us at every step of your business’s journey. For
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If you are looking for a Derby accountant please contact us.
We offer cloud-based accounting solutions. Using good technology saves time. With the power of cloud accounting in your hands, you can access accurate real-time data on the go, accept instant payments and even automate repetitive tasks like invoicing. Fast, easy, touch-of-a-button software can make a real difference to the way you run your business.
02/12/2015
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If you are starting your own business, running it as a sole trader is the quickest and easiest way to do it. However, you will have unlimited liability which means you are personally responsible for business debts.
Another important aspect is that you are taxed on all the profits with little opportunity for tax planning. This is why most businesses will incorporate as profits increase.
We can support you through business registration and provide advice on all aspects of tax including:
◦ Accounts for HMRC ◦ Self assessment ◦ VAT returns ◦
◦ Payroll services ◦ Tax planning ◦
Partnerships are similar to sole trades, except that they are used when more than one person owns the business.
Each profit share is determined by the partners and best practice is to record this in a partnership agreement.
With partnerships each partner has joint and several liability for the debts of the partnership, so that if one partner cannot pay their share of any business debts, the debt will fall on the other partners.
Setting up a partnership agreement from the outset is essential.
Corporate tax planning can result in significant improvements in your bottom line. Our services will help to minimise your corporate tax exposure.
Services include:
Self assessment tax returns are becoming increasingly complex and failing to submit your return on time, or correctly, can result in substantial penalties.
We use the latest tax software to ensure that tax returns are completed efficiently, accurately and on-time.
Self assessment: Taking
away the hassles of tax
We provide a comprehensive personal tax compliance service for individuals that includes:
Invoicing your contracting work through a limited company is tax efficient. We will advise you on how to structure your contract to minimise IR35 risk. We will ensure you claim all the expenses that you are entitled to and work out if you can save money by joining the VAT Flat Rate Scheme. We will complete your accounts and tax returns and provide you with clarity over your tax payments.
Included in the service • IRIS KashFlow + Snap • Annual accounts • Corporate tax return • Personal tax return • Payroll • Dividend administration • VAT returns • Contract reviews • Dealing with HMRC
VAT • is one of the most complex tax regimes imposed on business. We provide a cost effective service including assistance with registration & completing your returns.
Payroll • Administering your payroll can be time consuming. We provide a comprehensive payroll service.
Your Payroll Solution
Construction Industry Scheme • CIS returns & payments
Book-keeping • Maintenance of accounting records
Provision of management accounts
For more about these services please contact us.
Keeping the Books
Assurance
If your business does not require a statutory audit then our Assurance Service will provide reassurance that your accounts stand up to close scrutiny from your bank or other finance providers.
Work is tailored to your specific requirements and the level of confidence that you are looking to achieve and will provide credibility to your accounts by the issuing of an assurance review report.
Audit
We strive to provide an auditing service that adds more value than merely the statutory compliance requirement of an audit.
We tailor the audit to meet your circumstances and needs. Using the latest techniques and software we deliver a cost-effective audit that provides real value.
Before starting out you may need help with business planning, cash flow and profit & loss forecasts.
You may also want help identifying the best structure for your business. From sole trades and partnerships to limited companies and limited liability partnerships, we have the experience to advise on the best solution for you both operationally and from a tax point of view.
We also advise on accounting software selection, profit improvement, profit extraction & tax saving.
If you wish to know more about our Business Start-up service please contact us on 01332 202660.
Accountancy and taxation of property is a specialist area. We have the expertise and experience to work effectively with private landlords and property investors. We deal with self-assessment tax, accounts preparation & tax advice for all aspects of property portfolios.
Whether you are a first time buy to let landlord or a long established developer we will discuss and understand your situation in order to advise and recommend the most appropriate medium through which to carry out your property investments. We will guide you through the accounting and tax issues and help you to plan effectively.
We take the time to explain your accounts to you so that you understand what is going on in your business.
Up to date, relevant and quickly produced management information for better control.
As part of our accounts service we prepare your annual accounts and complete yearly personal and business tax returns.
As your year-end approaches we will agree a timetable with you for completion of the accounts that minimises disruption to your business and leaves no late surprises when it comes to your tax liabilities.
We can also prepare management accounts to help you run your business and make effective business decisions. Management accounts are also very useful when approaching lending institutions when no year end accounts are available. We offer:
For a meeting to discuss your requirements please call us on 01332 202660.
We understand the issues facing owner-managed businesses.
We provide advice on personal tax & planning opportunities.
Running a small business places many demands on your time. We can help lift the load with our complete payroll service.
Designed to ease your administrative burden, our service removes what is often a time consuming task, leaving you free to concentrate on managing your business.
We can also prepare your benefits and expenses forms and advise you of any filing requirements and national insurance due. Benefits and expenses can be a complicated area and knowing what to report can be tricky.
We can file all your in-year and year end returns with HMRC and provide you with P60s to distribute to your employees at the year end.
We also offer a solution to meet your auto-enrolment obligations.
Businesses dealing with the requirements of VAT legislation will agree that this is often a complex area.
Our compliance services offer support for all stages of completing your VAT returns, whether you need advice on the treatment of specific transactions or have produced your records and would like verification that they are correct.
We can also advise on the pros and cons of voluntary registration, extracting maximum benefit from the rules on de-registration and the Flat rate VAT scheme.
Our consultancy service guides you through the intricacies of the legislation, pinpointing areas where you may be able to relieve or partly relieve the cost of VAT for your business, for example when purchasing new equipment or undertaking new projects such as property development.
For a meeting to discuss VAT and obtain further advice please call us on 01332 202660.
We can conduct a full tax review of your business and determine the most efficient tax structure for you.
We give personal tax advice to a wide variety of individuals, including higher rate tax payers, company directors & sole traders.
We can assist with:
For a meeting to discuss your requirements please call us on 01332 202660.
Understand your needs
Firstly we listen and gain an understanding of your business and what you are aiming to achieve.
Continuous improvement
We seek your opinions on the service we provide and respond to feedback in order to upgrade and improve what we do.
Build a relationship
Success in business is based around relationships and trust. Our objective is to develop and build strong relationships with our clients, based on two way trust and respect.
Confirm your expectations
Our aim is to help you maximise your business potential and we tailor our service to meet your requirements and agree a timetable for delivering them.
Actively communicate
Communication is important to the success of any commercial venture. It is therefore a vital part of our work with you, sharing the knowledge and ideas that help you to realise your ambitions.
Understand your needs
Confirm your expectations
Actively communicate
Build a relationship
Continuous improvement
Straightforward and easy to deal with Adrian Mooy & Co provide an efficient, friendly and professional service - payroll, tax returns, annual accounts and VAT returns are always done on time. Eddie Morris
Call us on 01332 202660
Company payment of director’s personal expenses
What is the tax position should a company pay a director’s personal expenses?
Directors of small companies, especially those with prior experience of self-employment, often overlook the distinction between company funds and personal finances. It can be hard for some directors to resist the temptation to channel all expenses through the business bank account, whether those expenses are company related and tax-deductible or personal. However, such a practice has tax implications.
To obtain a tax deduction for an expense incurred by a director (or any employee), three conditions must be met:
• The director-employee must be obliged to incur the expense.
• The expense must have been incurred in the performance of the employment duties.
• It must have been incurred ‘wholly, exclusively and necessarily’ in carrying out work on the company’s behalf.
The test of ‘necessity’ has been considered relatively recently in the tribunal case HMRC v Kunjar [2023] UKFTT 538, where it was confirmed that merely fulfilling a condition imposed by the employer (e.g., having to reside within a certain distance from the workplace and claiming the cost of travel) does not necessarily make the expenses allowable.
Any expense paid from the company bank account that does not meet these criteria or was not incurred directly to conduct company business will be taxed as a personal expense for the director. This will be treated similarly to a salary payment, attracting both income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
Tax and NICs liability
How the tax is accounted for and whether it is solely the employee who is liable to NICs or both the employer and employee who are liable will depend on whose name the bill is made out to and who pays it. If the employee arranges for payment in their own name and the employer pays the bill, the employer has effectively discharged the employee’s debt. In this scenario, the director will be responsible for both income tax and NICs, while the employer will also incur employer’s NICs, just as if the employer had paid the employee directly in cash.
Conversely, if the employer pays the bill directly, this expense will be deductible for the company accounts. The director will then be charged to tax and NICs, which could be classified either as salary or as a benefit-in-kind. Whether the employer is liable for NICs depends on whether they can claim the employment allowance.
Type of expense
Although the payment may be taxable on the employee as a personal expense, whether a tax charge is actually levied will depend on the type of expense. For example, many companies pay for an employee’s professional subscription fees. In such cases, even if the invoice is issued in the employee’s name, the payment remains tax and NICs free for both employee and employer being also deductible from the company’s profits.
Director’s loan account
Many directors, particularly those of their own companies, have personal expenses paid for by the company, which are then charged to their director’s loan account (DLA). Where this occurs, the DLA may become overdrawn and then be cleared by crediting with salary, bonuses or dividends. HMRC has been known to argue that personal expenses regularly paid from the company account and then debited to the loan account should be treated as ‘an advance’ of salary, so PAYE, etc., should have been accounted for earlier, at the date of payment.
However, regular payments reimbursed through dividend payments cannot be regarded as ‘in advance of salary.’ Therefore, it is acceptable to declare a dividend credited to a DLA at the beginning of the accounting year and withdraw over subsequent months. Distributing dividends early in the accounting year can reduce the risk of the DLA becoming overdrawn, which may otherwise result in a beneficial loan interest tax charge on the director.
Practical tip
Many companies provide credit cards for business use, but it is important to remember that any personal expenses charged to these cards may also be subject to the tax rules outlined above.
Dividend waivers for inheritance tax purposes
Dividend waivers for inheritance tax purposes
It is not uncommon for shareholders in family and owner-managed companies to waive their rights to receive dividends. In broad terms, a waiver is where a shareholder forgoes (or ‘waives’) their right to be paid a dividend. Dividend waivers are often used as part of a tax planning exercise by spouses (or civil partners), such as where, in the absence of a waiver, a dividend would push one of the spouses into a higher income tax bracket.
However, the inheritance tax (IHT) implications of dividend waivers in income tax planning should not be overlooked.
Waivers and IHT
Dividend waivers can also play a significant role in IHT planning. For example, an elderly shareholder in a family company may prefer to waive their entitlement to a dividend so that their estate (and the IHT liability thereon) is not enhanced by the funds that would otherwise be received. This could also help to sustain the company’s funds for future business use. If a person (i.e., an individual or a company) waives a dividend within 12 months before they become entitled to it, the waiver does not of itself constitute a transfer of value for IHT purposes (IHTA 1984, s 15). The relief applies only to a waiver of dividends on shares; it does not extend to a waiver of (say) rent, or interest on loans to the company
Attention to detail
Of course, dividends must satisfy company law requirements to be valid. Furthermore, the 12-month timeframe for dividend waivers means that it is necessary to establish the timing of the shareholder’s entitlement to a dividend in terms of ensuring that the dividend is not waived too late. In particular, it is important to distinguish between ‘interim’ and ‘final’ dividends:
• Interim dividends are due and payable when paid. A resolution to pay an interim dividend does not create a debt until the dividend is paid (see Potel v CIR (1970) 46 TC 658).
• Final dividends are legally due when declared by the company in general meeting (unless a later date for payment is specified, in which case they are due on that payment date).
For example, a person who waives a right to a final dividend would, in the absence of the IHT relief, dispose of a right, the value of which would generally be that of the dividend. The 12-month period for a waiver to be effective for IHT purposes should therefore be measured carefully.
The relief from IHT only applies ‘by reason of the waiver’. In other words, it does not necessarily apply if the waiver is part of a series of operations aimed at achieving a transfer of value for IHT purposes not related solely to the dividend waived (see HM Revenue and Customs’ Inheritance Tax Manual at IHTM04220). In addition, the waiver should be affected by deed, which cannot be backdated.
Practical tip
It is always better to ensure that a company’s shareholdings are properly structured in the first place, so that dividend waivers are unnecessary. However, where dividend waivers are unavoidable, they should be approached with caution, as anti-avoidance rules exist for other tax purposes in certain circumstances (e.g., the ‘settlements’ income tax provisions). HMRC may particularly seek to challenge waivers used on a regular or long-term basis, so consider other tax planning options instead (e.g., different classes of shares in the company). Professional advice should be sought, if necessary.
Reclaiming VAT on a car – notoriously difficult to claim
The VAT tax rules are clear - input tax cannot be claimed on the purchase of a new or used car that is made available for any private use. However, input tax can usually be claimed on cars used as a tool of a trade such as by a driving school, taxi firm or private car hire business, even if there is minor private use.
This strict rule was tested in a recent tax case of Maddison and Ben Firth T/A Church Farm v HMRC 2002. This case also underlines the importance of documents when submitting a claim to HMRC.
Mr and Mrs Firth were in business registered for VAT as 'subcontracting glam/camping, weddings and events' - mainly organising weddings and other events. The business claimed input tax on the purchase of two new cars, on the basis that they were used exclusively for business purposes and not available for private use. However, the Tribunal agreed with HMRC that there was insufficient evidence to prove a business-only intention. Importantly they came to this conclusion based on the insurance policy which included insurance for 'Social, Domestic and Pleasure' (SDP). Although Mr Firth explained that it was very difficult to obtain insurance without SDP the option was still available and that was enough to refuse the claim. The Tribunal stated that fact that the insurance policies did not cover the carrying of passengers on a commercial charge basis was an important point and refused the claim. Relevant factors quoted in the case were 'who has access to the car and when; what is the likelihood that the car will never be used for mixed business and private journeys; what is the availability of the car; whether the user keeps a log of journeys; whether the car is insured for private use; and whether the vehicle has any peculiar feature or adaptations for a particular kind of business use?'
In addition, although there was a valid council issued private operator licence, private hire was not covered by the policy. It also did not help Mr Firth's case that although an Audi TT has five seats it is, in effect, a two-seat car and as such not a practical car for private hire (one of the exceptions to the VAT rules).
Finally, HMRC refused a claim for the VAT input on a personalised number plate fixed to a motorcycle, finding that it was personalised to include Mr Firth’s first name. The claim was for business advertising but HMRC disagreed and refused the claim as the number plate (BS70 BEN) did not refer to the business named 'Church Farm'.
As ever in such cases, looking at the facts, this case should probably not have reached as far as a Tribunal Hearing. However, this case underlines the importance of 'intention' and of documents in supporting any claim for input VAT.
Looking ahead to MTD for landlords
The way that many landlords will report details of their income and expenses to HMRC is changing from April 2026 onwards. This is when Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) comes into effect. Landlords who fall within the scope of MTD for ITSA will need to keep digital records, use MTD-compatible software and send quarterly updates to HMRC. This will impose new compliance obligations on them and change the way in which they interact with HMRC.
Start date 1: 6 April 2026
MTD for ITSA will apply to unincorporated landlords and sole traders with trading and/or property income of £50,000 or more from 6 April 2026. When determining a landlord’s MTD start date, it is important to take account of both rental income from unincorporated property businesses and also trading income from unincorporated businesses (such as those operated as a sole trader). However, any rental income from property companies can be ignored. The key figure is the total of both rental and trading income, so a landlord with rental income of £10,000 and trading income of £45,000 will be within MTD for ITSA from 6 April 2026 while a landlord with rental income of £49,000 who has no trading income will have a later start date. The relevant income will be that for 2024/25, as reported on the Self Assessment tax return which must be filed by 31 January 2026.
It is important that landlords with an April 2026 start date make sure that they know how MTD for ITSA will affect them, and that they are ready to comply from 6 April 2026 onwards.
Once within MTD for ITSA a landlord remains within it, even if their income falls to below the trigger threshold, unless it remains below the trigger threshold for three successive tax years.
Start date 2: 6 April 2027
Landlords running unincorporated property businesses will be brought within MTD for ITSA from 6 April 2027 if they have rental income and/or trading income from an unincorporated business of £30,000 or more.
Other landlords
The Government plan to bring unincorporated landlords and unincorporated businesses with rental and/or trading income of £20,000 or more into MTD for ITSA by the end of the current Parliament. As of yet, no date has been set for those whose income is below this level.
Obligations
Currently, where rental income is more than £1,000 (and the landlord is not within the rent-a-room scheme), they must report their taxable profits to HMRC on the property pages of their Self Assessment tax return by 31 January following the end of the tax year to which it relates. They must keep records of their income and expenses, but can do so in a way that suits them.
Under MTD for ITSA this all changes. The landlord will need to keep digital records and use software that is compatible with MTD for ITSA to report simple summaries of income and expenses to HMRC on a quarterly basis. The quarters run to 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April, although taxpayers can report to calendar quarters instead (30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March). HMRC publish details of commercial software that fits the bill. They have also said that they will make free software available for those with the most straightforward affairs.
After the final quarterly update for the year has been submitted, the landlord will need to make a final declaration to finalise their income tax position for the tax year. This is like the current tax return and it is at this stage that the taxpayer will claim reliefs and allowances, and also reflect other income that they may have which is not within the MTD process, such as savings and investment income and income from employment. The landlord will also need to make a declaration that the information is complete and correct, as is currently the case on the Self Assessment tax return.
There is no change to the way in which tax is paid under MTD for ITSA, only the way in which income is reported.
The benefits or otherwise of voluntary VAT registration
The benefits or otherwise of voluntary VAT registration
Many businesses strive to keep their turnover under the VAT registration limit (currently £90,000) because not only are they wary of the additional administrative costs but also because they believe that adding VAT to the invoice will make their business uncompetitive. However, even if a business has not reached the limit, voluntary VAT registration can offer significant benefits, not least including creating a more professional image and enhancing credibility, signalling to customers and potential business partners that the business has reached the VAT threshold, a significant milestone in the growth of any business.
Claiming pre-registration VAT
One of the main benefits of voluntary VAT registration is the financial benefit that can be gained. Input VAT paid on goods or services before registration can be reclaimed, subject to certain conditions. This can result in a much-needed cash lump sum during challenging initial phases for a start-up. VAT on goods (e.g. stock and equipment) can be reclaimed if purchased within four years of registration. The goods must be in stock on the registration date or used to make taxable supplies after registration and not fully used. However, the company must have been in operation for those four years in order to be eligible to make this claim. Additionally, VAT invoices and records must be available from that time.
VAT on services can also be reclaimed but in a shorter window of up to six months before registration (e.g. a typical cost being for website design paid for five months before registration). The services must have been used to establish the business and the VAT must not have been passed on to customers. Valid VAT invoices are required to support any input claim.
Improved cash flow
Reclaiming input VAT on purchases can improve cash flow, especially if the business needs to purchase a lot of stock, equipment or services from VAT-registered suppliers. The business can use the reclaimed VAT to invest in other areas of the business, rather than tying up cash in VAT payments.
Improved business opportunities
Many other VAT-registered businesses prefer to work with other VAT-registered suppliers since they can reclaim VAT on purchases.
Ensure registration is on time
Registering the business from the start can help avoid fines or penalties for late registration if the business accidentally exceeds the threshold. This proactive approach ensures that the business is compliant and prepared for any potential growth that might push it over the threshold.
Downsides of voluntary registration
The most evident downside to becoming VAT registered is the requirement of the business to charge customers VAT and thereby increasing prices (unless the business makes zero-rated supplies). If customers are VAT-registered businesses themselves, the fact that there is additional VAT to pay will not be an issue for them as they will be able to reclaim on their own VAT return. However, if the customers are the general public, they will not be able to reclaim, and the higher price may mean they look elsewhere for their purchase (possibly a non-VAT-registered business) – it will depend on what is being sold. Of course, just because a business is VAT registered does not mean the full 20% uplift needs to be passed on to the customer.
Another downside to being VAT registered is the additional administration required, including compliance with Making Tax Digital for VAT.
Practical point
HMRC allows businesses to register as ‘intending traders’. An intending trader is an individual or entity that, on the date of the registration request, is engaged in business activities, has not yet begun making taxable supplies, but intends to do so in the future. Registration is therefore possible even if the business is still in the planning stage. This allows businesses to reclaim VAT on costs incurred during this time, preventing some claims, especially for services, from falling outside the pre-registration time limits.
Jointly owned holiday lets – Should you make a Form 17 election?
The favourable tax regime for furnished holiday lettings (FHLs) came to an end on 5 April 2025. For 2025/26 and later tax years, furnished holiday lets are treated in the same way as other residential lets for tax purposes.
The end of the FHL regime has implications for jointly held properties.
Where a property is jointly owned by spouses or civil partners, the general rule is that the income is treated as arising to each partner equally for tax purposes, regardless of their individual shares in the property. Where the property is owned as tenants in common in unequal shares, the parties can jointly elect (on Form 17) for the income to be allocated for tax purposes by reference to their beneficial ownership shares.
These rules did not apply under the former FHL regime. Instead, where a property was jointly owned, the owners could choose how to allocate the profits and losses. This applied equally where the joint owners were married or in a civil partnership.
Following the end of the FHL regime, spouses and civil partners who jointly own holiday lets will need to review the position and decide if they need to make a Form 17 election. If they do nothing, they will each be taxed on 50% of the rental profit. This may not give the best result.
Case study
David and Lisa jointly own a holiday cottage on the Suffolk coast. As David has income of £90,000 a year and Lisa has income of £20,000, they have historically opted to split the profits from their FHL in the ratio of 5:95. The profits are around £20,000 a year, meaning £1,000 are allocated to David and taxed at the higher rate and £19,000 are allocated to Lisa and taxed at the basic rate.
If they do not take any action, for 2025/26, the profits will be allocated equally for tax purposes. This means that Lisa will be taxed on £10,000 of the profits at the basic rate and David will be taxed on £10,000 of the profits at the higher rate. This will move profits of £9,000 from the basic rate to the higher rate, meaning that they will pay £1,800 more in tax in 2025/26 than in 2024/25.
If they own the property as tenants in common in unequal shares, they can elect for the profits to be allocated for tax in accordance with their actual ownership shares. If they wish to preserve the previous allocation, Lisa will need a 95% share in the property and David will need a 5% share. If the property is not already held in this way, they could take advantage of the no gain/no loss capital gains tax rules applying to spouses and civil partners to transfer shares in the property between them to achieve the desired ownership shares and then make a Form 17 election for the profits to be allocated for tax purposes in accordance with their ownership shares.
Making a Form 17 election
A Form 17 election can be made jointly by spouses and civil partners where they own property in unequal shares as tenants in common. It cannot be made where the property is owned as joint tenants – where this is the case, the spouses/civil partners jointly own the whole property.
The election must be submitted to HMRC within 60 days of being signed. The election is effective from the date of the election – it cannot be backdated. This means that a couple cannot wait until the end of the tax year to decide if an election would be beneficial for that year.
A Form 17 election will not always be beneficial. Where a property is owned in unequal shares and the spouse/civil partner with the highest marginal rate of tax owns more than 50% of the property, the default 50:50 split will give the best result.
Taxation of savings income in 2025/26
There are various ways to enjoy savings income without paying tax on it. In addition to the personal allowance, basic and higher rate taxpayers benefit from a personal savings allowance. Taxpayers whose taxable non-savings income is not more than £5,000 can also enjoy a zero rate on savings income in the savings rate band. In addition, savings income held in tax-free accounts such as ISAs can also be enjoyed free of tax.
Personal allowance
If the personal allowance has not been fully used elsewhere, the balance can be set against savings income allowing it to be received tax-free.
Savings allowance
Basic and higher rate taxpayers are entitled to a savings allowance. This is in addition to their personal allowance.
For 2025/26 the savings allowance is set at £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and at £500 for higher rate taxpayers. The allowance is available in addition to the personal allowance and also the dividend allowance.
Rising interest rates in recent years may mean that basic and higher rate taxpayers now receive interest in excess of their savings allowance on which tax is payable and which must be notified to HMRC on their Self Assessment tax return. Consequently, they may need to file a tax return where previously they did not need to.
Taxpayers who pay tax at the additional rate (which applies to taxable income in excess of £125,140) do not benefit from a personal savings allowance and must pay tax on any savings income unless it is otherwise exempt. They do not receive a personal allowance either as the personal allowance is fully abated at this level. Unless savings income is derived from tax-free accounts, additional rate taxpayers will pay tax on it.
Savings starting rate
Savings income which falls within the savings starting rate band is taxed at the savings starting rate of 0%. Depending on an individual’s personal circumstances, they may be able to enjoy up to a further £5,000 of savings income tax-free.
The savings starting rate band is set at £5,000 for 2025/26, but is reduced by any taxable non-savings income. This is other taxable income in excess of the personal allowance (but excluding any dividends). Consequently, the full £5,000 savings starting rate band is available where other taxable income is less than the individual’s personal allowance. The standard personal allowance is £12,570 for 2025/26. The savings starting rate band is eroded once taxable income in excess of the personal allowance reaches £5,000 (income of £17,570 and above).
The savings starting rate is applied before the personal savings allowance.
Tax-free savings accounts
If savings are held within a tax-free wrapper such as an Individual Savings Account, the associated savings income is tax-free. A taxpayer can invest up to £20,000 in an ISA in 2025/26. ISAs are attractive to additional rate taxpayers who do not benefit from personal and savings allowances.
Maximum tax-free savings income
Where a person has the personal allowance available in full to set against their savings income, they can enjoy tax-free interest on their savings of £18,570 in 2025/26 (personal allowance of £12,570 plus savings starting rate band of £5,000 plus savings allowance of £1,000), plus that from tax-free savings accounts.
Relief for additional expenses of working from home
In a post on X, HMRC recently warned taxpayers ‘not to get caught out by ads promising quick refunds for working from home’, urging taxpayers to check that they were eligible before making a claim.
So what relief is available to employees who sometimes or always work from home?
The rule
A deduction can be claimed for employment expenses to the extent that they are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of the employment. In relation to expenses incurred when working from home, HMRC accept that this test is met in the following circumstances:
The duties that the employee performs at home are substantive duties of the employment. These are duties that an employee has to carry out that represent all or part of the central duties of the employment.
The duties cannot be performed without the use of the appropriate facilities.
No such appropriate facilities are available to the employee at the employer’s premises or the nature of the job requires the employee to live so far from the employer’s premises that it is unreasonable to expect the employee to travel to the employer’s premises daily.
At no time before or after the employment contract is drawn up is the employee able to choose between working at the employer’s premises or elsewhere.
Personal choice
The test is not met where an employee works from home through personal choice rather than because they are required to work from home. For example, where an employer operates a flexible working policy whereby employees must work from the employer’s premises on certain days and can choose whether to work at the employer’s premises or at home on the other days, the employee cannot claim tax relief for additional household costs on the days that they choose to work from home, even if they do the same work on these days that they would have done at the employer’s premises. However, where an employee is contractually obliged to work from home, they are able to claim a deduction for additional household expenses incurred as a result.
Making a claim
Where the conditions are met, the employee can claim a fixed deduction of £6 per week for the weeks when they work at home at least some of the time. Alternatively, they can claim the actual additional household costs, such as additional electricity, gas and cleaning costs, that they incur as a result of working from home. A claim based on actual expenses is only worthwhile where the amount claimed is more than £6 per week.
A claim can be made online (where the total claim in respect of employment expenses is not more than £2,500), in a Self Assessment return or by post on form P87. The employee must supply evidence to show that they are required to work from home, such as a copy of their employment contract. Where the claim is based on actual amounts, evidence, such as copies of bills, must be provided in support of the amount claimed.
Relief for additional expenses of working from home
In a post on X, HMRC recently warned taxpayers ‘not to get caught out by ads promising quick refunds for working from home’, urging taxpayers to check that they were eligible before making a claim.
So what relief is available to employees who sometimes or always work from home?
The rule
A deduction can be claimed for employment expenses to the extent that they are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of the employment. In relation to expenses incurred when working from home, HMRC accept that this test is met in the following circumstances:
The duties that the employee performs at home are substantive duties of the employment. These are duties that an employee has to carry out that represent all or part of the central duties of the employment.
The duties cannot be performed without the use of the appropriate facilities.
No such appropriate facilities are available to the employee at the employer’s premises or the nature of the job requires the employee to live so far from the employer’s premises that it is unreasonable to expect the employee to travel to the employer’s premises daily.
At no time before or after the employment contract is drawn up is the employee able to choose between working at the employer’s premises or elsewhere.
Personal choice
The test is not met where an employee works from home through personal choice rather than because they are required to work from home. For example, where an employer operates a flexible working policy whereby employees must work from the employer’s premises on certain days and can choose whether to work at the employer’s premises or at home on the other days, the employee cannot claim tax relief for additional household costs on the days that they choose to work from home, even if they do the same work on these days that they would have done at the employer’s premises. However, where an employee is contractually obliged to work from home, they are able to claim a deduction for additional household expenses incurred as a result.
Making a claim
Where the conditions are met, the employee can claim a fixed deduction of £6 per week for the weeks when they work at home at least some of the time. Alternatively, they can claim the actual additional household costs, such as additional electricity, gas and cleaning costs, that they incur as a result of working from home. A claim based on actual expenses is only worthwhile where the amount claimed is more than £6 per week.
A claim can be made online (where the total claim in respect of employment expenses is not more than £2,500), in a Self Assessment return or by post on form P87. The employee must supply evidence to show that they are required to work from home, such as a copy of their employment contract. Where the claim is based on actual amounts, evidence, such as copies of bills, must be provided in support of the amount claimed.
Useful Links
How will Making Tax Digital affect landlords?
Landlords will be impacted by Making Tax Digital when it comes into effect in April 2026.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is going to mean big changes for the majority of landlords who submit self assessments.
You’ll need to use software to keep track of your income and expenses and to make quarterly MTD submissions.
This applies to income from rental properties or self-employment is over £50,000 a year from April 2026 and over £30,000 from April 2027.
Instead of submitting a yearly Self Assessment you’ll need to update HMRC every quarter.
Will all landlords be affected by MTD?
MTD impacts all landlords with personally owned properties earning more than £50,000 a year from rental properties or self-employment from 2026, and those earning £30,000 or more from 2027.
Property income in scope for MTD includes:
This is £50,000 of rental income, so gross profit before deducting your expenses, rather than net profit.
I own rental property in a partnership. Will MTD affect me? - HMRC has said it will announce dates for other types of partnerships, including LLPs and those with corporate partners, at a later date.
I’m a landlord that’s registered as a limited company. Will MTD affect me? - lf You own your properties in a limited company, you don’t need to worry about MTD for Income Tax yet.
Does MTD mean you need to pay tax four times a year? - No, how you pay self-assessed income tax is not changing.
How does Making Tax Digital work for joint landlords? - If the rental income is from a jointly owned property, this is based on the share of ownership - i.e. 50% if both parties have equal shares in the property. If your share of the rental income is over £50,000, then you'll be in scope for MTD from April 2026.
To conclude - if you currently complete a Self Assessment for your property income, and you earn over £50,000 from property or self-employment, you’re going to need to switch to use software to make quarterly MTD submissions from April 2026.
Making tax digital: Where are we now? - Part 1
Latest developments in making tax digital.
We are now little more than a year away from the phased introduction of making tax digital (MTD) for income tax self assessment (MTD ITSA), as follows:
Annual aggregate turnover (all sources) Implementation date
More than £50,000 5 April 2026
More than £30,000 and up to £50,000 5 April 2027
More than £20,000 and up to £30,000 Before this Parliament ends (2029)
This last new, lowest band was announced as part of the Autumn Statement 2024 on 30 October 2024:
‘The government will expand the rollout of MTD to those with incomes over £20,000 by the end of this Parliament, and will set out the precise timing for this at a future fiscal event.’
Up to that point, many advisers were daring to hope that MTD might perhaps baulk at going lower than the initial £50,000 per annum threshold.
Key points It is perhaps worth emphasising:
• The thresholds are measured across one’s annual gross income across all business sources (i.e., rents are broadly lumped in alongside all trading receipts – but see also below).
• The measurement year for testing whether one is caught for April 2026 (being the start date for those individuals in the vanguard) will be 2024/25, the actual numbers for which may only just have been finalised and filed by 31 January 2026.
• Thus, do the results for 2024/25 (now) dictate the MTD status for 2026/27?
• Likewise, the measurement year for whether MTD for ITSA will apply for the lower £30,000 annual threshold from April 2027 (i.e., 2027/28) will be the actual results for 2025/26.
• But each separate trade and property business* will still need its own set of quarterly returns ‘updates’.
• Once a taxpayer is caught by MTD ITSA, that annual aggregated business turnover will need to fall below the threshold for three successive years in order to break free of its clutches.
*Generally, all property sources are rolled into a single property business; however, one might have separate UK and offshore rental businesses or lettings in different ‘capacities’, such as sole or joint tenancies, as against a full property partnership.
Given that the annual threshold is intended to have fallen to just £20,000 by 2029, one will presumably have to hope for another means of escape, such as business cessation (see also below).
Income boxes and joint property details
HMRC will monitor taxpayers’ incomes and corresponding MTD obligations by reference to specific boxes on their submitted tax returns – the gross trading income and rental receipts sections. This should be reasonably straightforward, but a quirk has arisen in relation to joint lettings.
Landlords holding only a proportion of joint property are, of course, reliant on whoever prepares that property’s accounts for their income and expenditure details. They are also allowed to choose to include only the net income figure from joint lettings in their current-format tax returns (whether as part of a larger portfolio or not).
In July/August 2024, HMRC confirmed that this easement would continue under MTD, despite the risk of the landlord understating their ‘true’ gross annual income by potentially including only the net amounts for co-owned property letting income.
Making tax digital: Where are we now? - Part 2
Audit trail abandoned When the quarterly ‘update’ regime was originally devised, it was intended that each return would report only that quarter’s results, and that any amendments to previous quarters in the tax year would have to be reported in the next available return but flagged separately so that HMRC could track any changes made.
HMRC has since walked back from this approach and announced in November 2023 that each quarterly return will now hold simply ‘year-so-far’ amounts without further analysis into separate quarters, etc.
Quarterly update deadlines On 22 February 2024, the latest regulations then published included that the quarterly updates’ filing deadlines would be extended by two days, to 7 August/November/February/May, thereby aligning with the usual VAT stagger group filing deadline for calendar quarters.
End of the ‘end of period statement’ Did anyone realise that, when the Chancellor announced ‘the end of the annual tax return’ back in July 2015, what he actually planned instead was a ‘final declaration’, plus four quarterly returns (‘updates’) for each separate business of theirs, plus an annual end of period statement for each business to cover all of the usual annual tax adjustments for disallowed expenses, capital allowances, etc?
But never mind because, ever keen to cut down on taxpayers’ administrative burdens, the government has magnanimously decided to remove the proposed end of period statement and just include all those tax adjustments in the final declaration, instead.
Presumably, the government is banking on nobody spotting that the updated final declaration will now function almost exactly like the tax return whose demise was promised almost a decade ago, just now with a load of extra form-filling obligations that nobody outside of HMRC ever asked for.
Exemptions and exclusions The list of specific exemptions from MTD ITSA has grown slightly:
• Trustees;
• Personal representatives of someone who has died;
• Lloyd’s members;
• Individuals without a National Insurance number (announced Autumn Statement 2023); and
• Foster carers (announced Autumn Statement 2023).
However, just because someone is a Lloyd’s name or foster carer does not mean that they are entirely exempt from MTD; if they have ordinary non-exempt sources, they can be ‘caught’ for those. Likewise, the National Insurance Number exemption will, for most people, last only until they receive their notification – usually just before their 16th birthday.
A wider exemption may be accepted where the taxpayer can show that they are unable to comply with the requirements of MTD, such as by reason of:
• old age or infirmity;
• remoteness of location (poor Internet access); or
• religion.
It seems that, so far, HMRC has resisted the temptation to hide the ‘digital exclusion’ application process behind an online application form.
Conclusion The greatest menace in MTD is not the digital filing and reporting, but the digital record-keeping; having to set up and maintain financial records in a manner tailored more to HMRC’s wants than your own business needs. This is the other, as-yet-unseen nine-tenths of the MTD iceberg.
But in promising to drop the entry threshold to as low as £20,000 per annum, the government has signalled to taxpayers (and to software companies) how firmly it has committed us to this project. For now, there are no precise dates on when MTD for ITSA will be extended to partnerships or to companies (‘avoiding’ MTD might soon be one of the few remaining tax-based incentives to incorporate) but, again, keep in mind that partners will not automatically be safe from MTD if they also have non-partnership business interests.
Budget 2024
Overview
Implemented immediately
From January 2025
From April 2025
From April 2026
No change, or later
Reporting residential property gains and tax payments - Part 1
When and how it is necessary to report a gain on the disposal of a residential property and pay the associated tax.
Not all residential property is equal when it comes to the tax treatment of capital gains.
Setting the scene
Where a property is sold or otherwise disposed of (e.g., given to a family member other than a spouse or civil partner) and a gain arises, there will be no capital gains tax (CGT) to pay if the property has been the owner’s only or main residence throughout the full period of ownership (or for all but the last nine months). If this is the case, the private residence exemption will shelter the gain from CGT.
However, for properties such as investment properties and second homes which have not been occupied throughout as a main home, there may well be CGT to pay if a gain arises on the disposal of the property.
The end of the favourable tax rules for furnished holiday lettings and the increase in tenants’ rights in the Renters Reform Bill, together with the fear that the freeze in the higher residential rate of CGT at 24% may be a limited time offer, may lead many landlords to the decision that it is time to exit the market. Those looking to sell second homes may also opt to do this sooner rather than later to ensure that any gain is taxed at 24%, in case the rate is increased.
Residential property gains have their own rules when it comes to CGT, with a limited window in which to report the gain to HMRC and pay the associated tax. Taxpayers who fail to comply with the rules will face interest and penalties, with ignorance of the rules offering no defence.
Reporting the gain
When a chargeable gain arises on the disposal of a residential property, that gain must be reported to HMRC within 60 days of the completion date. HMRC has a dedicated online service for doing this, and taxpayers will need to set up a ‘Capital Gains Tax on UK Property’ account to report their gain online. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the Gov.uk website at: www.gov.uk/taxsell-property.
To report the gain, the following information is required, and it is sensible to ensure that it is all to hand before starting the reporting process:
• address and postcode of the property;
• the date that the property was acquired;
• the date of exchange of contracts on the sale of the property;
• the completion date of the sale;
• the amount paid for the property or, where relevant (e.g., if a gift from a connected person or if the property was inherited) its market value or probate value;
• the sale proceeds (or, where relevant, the market value at the date of disposal);
• the cost of any capital improvements;
• the costs associated with buying the property, such as stamp duty land tax (or equivalent), legal fees, etc.);
• the costs of selling the property (such as estate agents’ fees and legal fees); and
• details of any available reliefs and exemptions (e.g., private residence relief for periods occupied as a main home).
Where the property in question is jointly owned, each co-owner should report their share of the gain.
Once set up, taxpayers can log into their Capital Gains Tax on UK Property account to view and, where necessary, amend previous returns.
Taxpayers who are unable to report a property gain online can do so using a paper form. However, the taxpayer will need to contact HMRC to request a copy of the form.
Reporting the gain online does not remove the need to complete the CGT pages of the self-assessment tax return. These still need to be completed to enable the taxpayer’s CGT position for the year to be finalised. Once the taxpayer has submitted their self-assessment return for the tax year, they will no longer be able to amend returns made through their Capital Gains Tax on UK property account.
If an investment property or second home is sold at a loss, the loss does not need to be reported to HMRC online within 60 days. However, it should be reported on the taxpayer’s self-assessment return to preserve the loss for set-off against future capital gains.
Reporting residential property gains and tax payments - Part 2
Working out the tax on the gain
The CGT on residential property gains must be paid within 60 days of the completion date. This will be the best estimate of the tax due at that time.
However, the amount paid at this time may not be the final figure. The taxpayer’s CGT position for the year is finalised after the end of the tax year when their self-assessment return is filed. There may be additional tax to pay after the year end (e.g., if the taxpayer expected to be a basic-rate taxpayer and was actually a higher-rate taxpayer or if they realised non-residential gains on which CGT is due by the usual date of 31 January after the end of the tax year).
Alternatively, the taxpayer may be due a refund if losses were realised later in the tax year after the sale of the residential property completed, or if tax was actually due at a lower rate than used when calculating the payment on account.
The gain on the property is computed in the usual way, taking into consideration the acquisition cost, any enhancement expenditure, the sale proceeds and the costs of buying and selling the property.
Any reliefs to which the taxpayer is entitled should also be taken into account. If the property had been the taxpayer’s main residence at some point, private residence relief may be due for the periods it was occupied as such, any qualifying periods of absence and the final nine months of ownership. Likewise, if the taxpayer shared property with a lodger, lettings relief may be in point.
Taxpayers are entitled to an annual exempt amount for CGT, which for 2024/25 is set at £3,000 and is to remain at this level for 2025/26. If this has not already been used, it can be taken into consideration in calculating the tax due on the chargeable residential property gain. Capital losses brought forward, and any losses realised earlier in the tax year, can also be taken into account in working out the CGT bill.
However, losses realised after the completion date cannot be taken into account, even if they are realised within the 60-day reporting and payment window before the tax is paid. Instead, these will be taken into account when finalising the taxpayer’s CGT position for the year once they have filed their self-assessment tax return.
The tax due on the gain is calculated at the CGT rates for residential property gains. This is 18% where income and gains do not exceed the basic rate band and 24% once the basic rate band has been used up. Despite speculation before the Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024 that these rates would increase, the Chancellor opted instead to raise standard CGT rates, leaving the residential rates unchanged. They are to remain at 18% and 24% for 2025/26.
The tax due on the residential property gain can be paid online through the online account using a debit or corporate credit card or by approving a payment through an online account. Payments can also be made by bank transfer or by cheque. The 14-character CGT payment reference should be quoted.
Any further tax due when the taxpayer’s CGT position for the year is finalised should be paid through the self-assessment system by 31 January after the end of the tax year. If the taxpayer is due a refund (e.g., as a result of losses realised after the completion of the residential property gain, this can be claimed once the position for the year has been finalised).
Practical tip
When selling an investment property or second home, remember to report any chargeable gain to HMRC within 60 days of the completion date and pay the CGT due on the gain in the same timeframe.
Company year end tax planning - Part 1
A look at some tax planning opportunities for companies, with the end of the current financial year looming for corporation tax purposes.
This article briefly highlights some tax planning opportunities available to limited companies ahead of their year end to reduce tax liabilities and maximise profit extraction by the effective use of allowances and reliefs.
Capital allowances - When a company incurs capital expenditure for their business, capital allowances can be claimed, which will reduce the company’s taxable profits. Capital allowances are available at various rates depending on the type of expenditure incurred. To ensure the most tax-efficient use of allowances, businesses will need to analyse the costs between the various categories.
The main categories of allowances are:
• Annual investment allowance (AIA) – maximum of £1m of qualifying expenditure*;
• 100% first-year allowance (FYA) on brand new main pool expenditure and electric cars;
• 50% FYA on brand new special rate pool expenditure;
• 18% writing down allowance (WDA) on the general pool*;
• 6% WDA on the special pool*;
• 3% straight line allowance on qualifying structures and buildings*;
• Small pool write-off where the balance is less than £1,000*.
*Pro-rated for chargeable accounting periods of less than twelve months.
The maximum AIA allowance is restricted to £1m per year, which is split between a company and any associated companies. Companies are associated with each other where one company controls another, or both are under the control of the same person or persons. Where applicable, the AIA can be allocated between associated companies in any way, as long as the overall maximum is not exceeded.
Where the maximum AIA is exceeded and expenditure has been incurred on both general and special rate pool assets, in most cases, the AIA should be allocated to special rate pool expenditure in priority to the general pool. There is no restriction on FYA claims, which should be considered in addition to the AIA, particularly where the AIA allowance has been exceeded, in order to maximise claims.
For allowances to be claimed, expenditure must have been incurred before the end of the accounting period. The date on which expenditure is incurred is the date the obligation to pay becomes unconditional, which in most cases is on delivery. Where the requirement to pay falls more than four months after the date the obligation to pay becomes unconditional, capital allowances cannot be claimed until the year in which payment is made. For assets financed by hire purchases, this rule does not apply, but the asset must have been brought into use by the end of the period in order to claim allowances.
Pension contributions - When a company makes a pension contribution on behalf of its employees, subject to it satisfying the ‘wholly and exclusively’ conditions, it will be tax deductible. As an added benefit, company pension contributions are a tax-exempt benefitin-kind for the recipient. As HMRC generally accepts that remuneration paid to a controlling director will satisfy the ‘wholly and exclusively’ tests, pension contributions are an efficient way to extract remuneration from a company whilst simultaneously lowering corporation tax liabilities.
Corporation tax relief for pension contributions are generally available in the accounting period in which the payment is made (although larger pension contributions may be subject to spreading over more than one accounting period in certain circumstances, which are beyond the scope of this article). Therefore, companies must ensure that contributions have physically been made and payment has left the company bank account prior to the period end. An accounting provision for the expenditure would not be sufficient to satisfy this requirement.
Whilst theoretically a company can make contributions and receive tax relief without restriction, individuals do not receive corresponding treatment and are subject to an annual maximum pension input allowance. The annual maximum for individuals is based on a tax year, which may not be the same as the company’s year end, so the timing of contributions will be important. From 6 April 2023, the annual maximum pension allowance for individuals is £60,000.
Company year end tax planning - Part 2
In addition to this, any unused allowances from the previous three tax years can be utilised as long as the individual was a member of a pension scheme during this period. In addition to any gross personal contributions and defined benefit scheme growth a recipient may have, company contributions count towards the annual limit. Where the annual allowance is exceeded, an income tax charge will arise on the recipient at their marginal rate of tax. Companies planning large pension contributions ahead of their period end will need to consider this in order to avoid creating additional tax liabilities.
Trivial benefits - Trivial benefits are a tax-efficient way for companies to reward their employees and for owners to extract value from the company. Trivial benefits are taxdeductible for the company and tax-exempt for the employee.
The conditions to be satisfied to meet the exemption are:
• the benefit is not cash or a cash voucher;
• the cost of the benefit does not exceed a VAT inclusive value of £50;
• the employee is not entitled to the benefit as part of any contractual obligation; and
• the benefit is not provided in recognition of particular services performed by the employee as part of their employment duties.
An employee can receive an unlimited number of trivial benefits each year. Examples that can be given include vouchers, hampers and birthday gifts. Where the company providing the benefit is a close company, whilst directors and members of their family or household can receive tax-exempt trivial benefits, the maximum amount that can be received is £300 over the tax year, subject to the usual conditions being satisfied. Where a member of the director’s family or household is also an employee of the company, they are each entitled to their own £300 allowance.
Bonuses - A company may consider paying its directors and employees a bonus based on its year end results. Where the necessary conditions are met, a company can include a tax-deductible provision for the bonus payments in its accounts (under CTA 2009, s 1288). Where a bonus is properly evidenced and documented, this allows a company to accelerate the corporation tax relief it receives on the bonuses ahead of when they are paid for PAYE purposes. In normal circumstances, corporation tax relief would be given in the period that the remuneration is paid.
For this treatment to be available, the company must have a constructive obligation to pay the bonus at its year end. This can be evidenced by a board minute prior to the year end, which is then ratified at the AGM, or if a company has a history of paying bonuses, by past practice. In addition to having a constructive obligation, the company must also actually pay the bonus within nine months of the period end, or if earlier, the date of filing of the corporation tax return. At the time the bonus is paid, PAYE will need to be operated, with the associated tax and National Insurance contributions liabilities paid.
It is important to be cautious that discussions and provision of bonus payments prior to the period end do not trigger an immediate PAYE liability (under ITEPA 2003, s 18). These rules determine when remuneration is treated as paid and when PAYE should be applied. These rules are stricter for directors than employees. If a bonus is determined before the end of a period of account, this becomes the trigger date for PAYE to be operated. However, this can be avoided if the bonuses are allocated to a ‘pool’ for a later distribution by shareholders at the AGM, but this is an area where caution should be exercised.
Don’t forget…
• Working from home allowance – Where directors and employees are required to work from home, they can be paid a tax-free flat rate expense of £6 per week which is tax deductible for the company.
• Dividend allowance – For the 2024/25 tax year, individuals can receive total tax-free dividends of £500 per year. Dividends can only be paid to shareholders and only if the company has sufficient distributable reserves.
• Check time limits – Ensure that any claims for reliefs are submitted in time. For example, for companies making a rollover relief claim, the time limit is four years from the end of the accounting period to which the claim relates.
• Check director salaries – Where directors take a low salary, ensure that the amount declared through the payroll is at least equivalent to the lower earnings level to receive a qualifying year’s credit for state pension entitlement. For 2024/25, the lower earnings limit is £6,396 per year.
Practical tip - Do not wait until after the year end and when the corporation tax payment date is almost due to start considering tax planning. Business owners need to be proactive to ensure their business is as tax-efficient as possible and all available expenses and reliefs have been claimed.
Mileage allowance payments
To save work, employers can pay employees a mileage allowance if they use their own car for business journeys. The Government have recently cleared up confusion as to what can be paid tax-free, confirming the maximum tax-free amount.
Mileage allowance payments - The approved mileage allowance payments system is a simplified system that allows employers to pay tax-free mileage allowance payments to employees who use their cars for business travel. Under the system, payments can be made tax-free up to the ‘approved amount’.
A similar, but not identical, system applies for National Insurance purposes.
The approved amount - The approved amount for tax is calculated for the tax year as a whole and is simply the reimbursed business mileage for the tax year multiplied by the tax-free mileage rates for the type of vehicle used by the employee. Rates are set for cars and vans, motor cycles and cycles and are as shown in the table below. They have been unchanged since 2011/12.
Example - Mo uses his own car for business and drives 12,350 miles in the tax year. The approved amount is £5,087.50 (10,000 miles @ 45p per mile + 2,350 miles @ 25p per mile).
Any payments made in excess of the approved amount are taxable and must be reported to HMRC on the employee’s P11D. If, on the other hand, the employer does not pay a mileage allowance or pays less than the approved amount, the employee can claim a deduction for the difference between the approved amount and the amount actually paid, if any.
Confusion - Earlier in the year, a petition went before Parliament calling for an increase in the advisory rate from 45 pence per mile to 60 pence per mile to reflect the increases in fuel prices since 2011. Parliament rejected the petition stating that the rates remained adequate as they covered all running costs and the fuel element was only a small part. However, in their response, they pointed out that employers could pay higher amounts tax-free where this represented the amount of actual expenditure and could be substantiated:
‘The AMAP rate is advisory. Organisations can choose to reimburse more than the advisory rate, without the recipient being liable for a tax charge, provided that evidence of expenditure is provided.’
The Government subsequently backtracked on this, stating in a written Parliamentary statement that:
‘The response [to the petition] stated that actual expenditure in relation to business mileage could be reimbursed free of Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. This is in fact only possible for volunteer drivers. Where an employer reimburses more than the AMAP rate, Income Tax and National Insurance are due on the difference. The AMAP rate exists to reduce the administrative burden on employers.’
Maximum tax-free amount - The maximum amount that can therefore be paid tax-free to employees using their own car for work is the approved amount, regardless of the car that they drive or the actual costs incurred. However, if the employer wishes to pay more, car sharing could be encouraged and the employer could also pay passenger payments (of 5 pence per mile) for each colleague that the driver gives a lift to (providing the journey is also a business journey for them).
For company car drivers, the maximum tax-free amount that can be paid is governed by the prevailing advisory fuel rates published by HMRC.
Enjoy £1,000 of property income tax-free
The property allowance enables individuals to enjoy property income of up to £1,000 each tax year free of tax and without the need to report it to HMRC. This provides opportunities for individuals to earn some tax-free income by letting out their drive where there is an event nearby or letting out their house while on holiday. However, the allowance cannot be used to shelter rent received from a personal or family company for the use of an office in the director’s house.
If total rental income received in the tax year is less than £1,000, there is no tax to pay and the income does not need to be reported to HMRC. The property allowance is available in addition to other allowances such as the personal allowance, the trading allowance, the personal savings allowance and the dividend allowance.
It is also possible to benefit from the property allowance if rental income in the tax year is more than £1,000. The landlord has the option of deducting the £1,000 property allowance rather than their actual expenses when calculating their taxable rental profit. This will be beneficial if actual expenses are less than £1,000.
Where rental income in the tax year is more than £1,000 it has to be reported to HMRC. Currently, the rental income and any associated expenses must be reported on the Self Assessment tax return. However, HMRC have announced that they plan to increase the threshold for reporting property income on the Self Assessment tax return to £3,000 before the end of the current Parliament. While rental income in excess of £1,000 will still need to be reported to HMRC, taxpayers will instead be able to use a new digital service to do so rather than filing a Self Assessment tax return. Where the landlord needs to file a Self Assessment tax return to report other income, they will still be able to report property income in the return – use of the new digital service will be optional.
Where rental income is more than £1,000, the associated rental profit is taxable. If rental income is less than £1,000 but the landlord makes a loss, they may prefer to report their income to HMRC to preserve the loss rather than take advantage of the property allowance.
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