The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill has completed its initial journey through the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is now at the stage known as, consideration of amendments. This is where the second House’s amendments are considered, and the Bill may go back and forth until both Houses agree on […]
HMRC offers an online service to check your National Insurance Contributions (NIC) record online. In order to use the service, you will need to have a Government Gateway account. If you don't have an account, you can apply to set one up online. By signing in to the 'Check your National Insurance record' service you […]
There is a benefit-in-kind (BiK) trivial exemption that applies to small non-cash benefits like a bottle of wine, or a bouquet of flowers given occasionally to employees, or any other BiK classed as 'trivial' that falls within the exemption. By taking advantage of the exemption employers can simplify the treatment of BiKs whilst at the […]
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that he will deliver his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday, 22 November 2023. This move would imply that the annual Budget will not take place until the spring of 2024. The Autumn Statement is used to give an update on the state of the economy […]
The UK paid a whopping £788.8 billion in taxes in 2022 to 2023, an increase of 10.2 per cent from the year before. As well as income tax, that figure also includes inheritance tax, dividend tax and capital gains tax. No-one wants to pay more tax than necessary. But with busy lives and hectic schedules, […]
Businesses need to be prepared for changes to the way Companies House operates when the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill comes into force. As part of the package of reform, all small companies, including micro-entities, will be required to file their profit and loss accounts. The Government expects the changes to “improve transparency” and […]
Companies House is expected to charge higher fees when it is granted new powers. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Bill is already making its way through Parliament. This legislation will change the role and purpose of Companies House to make it a more active gatekeeper over company creation. This would include new powers […]
State Pensions are expected to rise by 8.5 per cent in April 2024 in line with rocketing wage growth. The Triple Lock policy means the increase in the State Pension is set at the highest of average earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent. The latest statistics from the ONS recorded growth of average earnings – […]
Rules on hidden online fees, known as drip pricing, will be tightened to boost transparency for stretched families. The Government is proposing a crackdown on extra charges such as booking or processing fees in products ranging from train tickets and concerts to food deliveries. It comes after research confirmed drip pricing – where the price […]
One in five people have reduced their pension contributions or stopped saving for retirement altogether due to cost-of-living pressures. As household budgets continue to tighten, new research suggests 14 per cent of people have stopped paying into their pensions while eight per cent have cut their contributions. Men are more likely to have taken the […]