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Summary of Companies House changes

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act received royal assent on 26 October 2023. The new Act provides Companies House with more power to reduce the abuse of corporate structures whilst at the same time tackling economic crime.

As part of the measures that will be introduced, Companies

What now, following the Autumn Statement

In some respects, the Chancellor’s predicament is deserving of a sympathetic ear; its as if he has a long journey ahead but has one foot firmly nailed to the floor.

Stagnant growth in the UK and global economy has driven up taxation in order to meet the goals set to reduce borrowing as a percentage

Directors’ duties and responsibilities

To be a director, you must be over 16 and not currently disqualified.

As a director your responsibilities include:

filing your company’s annual accounts and reports or appoint an accountant to do it for you
reporting changes in you or your company’s situation including changes of

IHT – Giving away your home before you die

The majority of gifts made during a person’s life, including gifting a home, are not subject to tax at the time of the gift. These lifetime transfers are known as ‘potentially exempt transfers’ or ‘PETs’. These gifts or transfers achieve their potential of becoming exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT)

CGT – Lettings relief

In general, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on a property which has been used as the main family residence. This relief from CGT is commonly known as Private Residence Relief or PRR. However, where part of the home has been let out the entitlement to relief may be affected. Homeowners that let

Income Tax – £5,000 savings zero rate band

If you have taxable income of less than £17,570 in 2023-24 tax year you will have no tax to pay on interest received. This figure is calculated by adding the £5,000 starting rate limit for savings (where 0% of the interest is taxable) to the current £12,570 personal allowance. However, it is

The badges of trade

The ‘badges of trade’ tests, whilst not conclusive, are used by HMRC to help determine whether an activity is a proper economic trade / business activity or merely a money-making by-product of a hobby.

Careful consideration needs to be given to deciding whether a hobby has become a taxable trading

What counts as holiday accommodation?

HMRC’s VAT Notice 709/3 entitled ‘Hotels and holiday accommodation’ explains how supplies by hotels and similar establishments such as motels, guesthouses and B&Bs should be treated for VAT purposes. In addition, the notice covers the VAT treatment of holiday accommodation such as caravans and

Gifts of shares to minor (under 18s) children

The settlement legislation seeks to ensure that, where a settlor has retained an interest in property in a settlement, the income arising is treated as the settlor’s income for all tax purposes. A settlor can be said to have retained an interest if the property or income may be applied for the

Autumn Statement Summary

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has delivered his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons. The government continues to be faced with challenging economic conditions as the cost of living crisis continues to affect many families across the UK.

The Chancellor, however, had some good