Our website uses cookies to enhance the visitor experience (what's a cookieCookies are small text files that are stored on your computer when you visit a website. They are mainly used as a way of improving the website functionalities or to provide more advanced statistical data.). Are you happy for us to use cookies during your visits?
Please note: continuing without making a choice equates to giving us your consent, which you can withdraw at any time via our cookies policy page.

 

Latest news round-up


Newsletter issue - December 2021.

The first tax sites in the Freeports announced at the Spring Budget have now been designated, meaning that businesses operating within them can now access some of the reliefs.

The sites are located in three of the eight Freeport sites; namely Humber, Thames and Teesside as follows:

As a brief reminder, the tax breaks now available will include 100% first year allowances for plant and machinery, as well as an enhanced 10% allowance for buildings and structures, business rates relief and SDLT relief. From April 2022, a 0% rate of secondary Class 1 NI will also apply to certain qualifying workers. For further information, view the statement on the government website.

The Autumn Budget was silent on the next phase of Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV), which means that, unless there is an 11th hour delay, the extension of the rules to businesses that are voluntarily registered will go ahead from April 2022. It's estimated that this will affect 750,000 businesses. MTDfV will become a requirement from the first VAT period beginning on or after 1 April 2022. VAT Notice 700/22 details the requirements of MTDfV. Some businesses may look to deregister ahead of being mandated in; however, these will need to carefully weigh up the potential compliance savings with the additional cost of not being able to recover input tax - as well as possibly needing to account for VAT on stock and assets. A limited number of businesses may qualify for a digital exclusion exemption and can now apply for this.

Recent concerns with a backlog of self-assessment registrations being processed appear to have been assuaged, with HMRC making a statement saying that this would be cleared by the end of December, meaning that all taxpayers should have a UTR number with which to make an electronic payment by the 31 January 2022 deadline. In the unlikely event that this does not happen, it is possible to make a payment by cheque by generating a payment slip using the NI number and posting it to HMRC.

HMRC will no longer pay tax credits, child benefit or guardian allowance into accounts with the Post Office. If claimants did not provide new banking details by 30 November, payments will cease until they do so.

The tax return filing season is always busy and, as a result, taxpayers may be more susceptible to scam or phishing emails purporting to be from HMRC, i.e. where they have recently submitted a return. HMRC's warning includes the following sound advice points:

"Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they're from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.

HMRC will also never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.

Scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a tax rebate. Contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so if you are in any doubt whether the email, phone call or text is genuine, you can check the HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK and find out how to report them."

Suspicious emails can be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.

Taxpayers who have not yet filed their returns for 2020/21 will need to do so by 30 December if they want to have any liability included in their tax code. If this date is missed, the liability will need to be paid in full by 31 January 2022, or a payment plan agreed with HMRC by that date.

 

 

Request a callback from Mapperson Price

Our philosophy is to provide a professional friendly service to local people, including employed, self-employed and small to medium sized businesses. Fill in our callback form and we'll contact at a suitable time for you.

The partners are supported by staff with a range of experience in accounts, taxation, payroll, and company secretarial work to support the various services the firm offers.

REQUEST CALLBACK

We always aim to get it right first time, every time, we'll respond to you as soon as possible after your form has been received by us.

 


Newsletter Icon

Newsletter Sign up

Handy tax tips delivered directly to your email inbox