Torquay Accountant - 5th April tax planning

The tax year ends on 5th April.

There are lots of tax planning issues at this time of year. Here a just a few:

•Have you utilised your Capital Gains Tax personal exemption?

•Have you used up your basic rate tax band for income tax. If you own a company should it be paying you a dividend now to avoid wasting any basic rate tax band?

•If your employer pays for the private fuel used in your company car you can avoid the car fuel benefit tax charge if you repay your employer for the private fuel before the end of the tax year. The benefit in kind charge is expensive and the private fuel refund may be less.

•For Inheritance Tax purposes each person can give £250 a year to any number of recipients, as well as £3,000 annually over and above that amount. They can also make regular gifts out of their income (not capital) that should fall to be exempt.

•If you are married or in a Civil Partnership and one partner/spouse has a much lower level of earned income, consider transferring income producing assets to the lower income earner. With Income Tax rates at a maximum 45% this current tax year, savings could be significant.

•If you or your partner/spouse are affected by the Child Benefit claw back for high income earners, have you considered equalising your income (if possible) to avoid the charge.

•If your income is likely to exceed £100,000 this tax year have you considered the potential reduction or loss of your personal tax allowance?

•If you are a high income earner paying tax at the 45% additional rate could you take advantage of charitable donations reliefs or other planning opportunities to defer, reduce or eliminate the impact the 45% rate?

•Have you used your ISA allowance this year?

•Have you maximised your pension contributions?

Self Assessment Deadline and Poor Excuses

Don't forget the deadline for self assessment tax returns is 31 January and you will have to pay a £100 penalty unless you have an acceptable excuse. 

Here are some of the excuses that HMRC have not accepted in the past:

1. My pet goldfish died (self-employed builder)
2. I had a run-in with a cow (Midlands farmer)
3. After seeing a volcanic eruption on the news, I couldn’t concentrate on anything else (London woman)
4. My wife won’t give me my mail (self-employed trader)
5. My husband told me the deadline was 31 March, and I believed him (Leicester hairdresser)
6. I’ve been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play (Coventry writer)
7. My bad back means I can’t go upstairs. That’s where my tax return is (a working taxi driver)
8. I’ve been cruising round the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land (South East man)
9. Our business doesn’t really do anything (Kent financial services firm)
10. I’ve been too busy submitting my clients’ tax returns (London accountant)

It's much better to get your return in on time than trying to think of excuses afterwards!

Running a business in the 21st century is a challenging prospect. To thrive in today’s environment, businesses must take every opportunity to gain a competitive advantage.

We use the latest technology to help us give our clients great service and great advice for a low affordable fee.

WE WORK WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO GIVE YOU REAL TIME DATA AND IMMEDIATE ADVICE

We offer our clients the option of using online accounting software that we both access. This means we can review and adjust your records on a regular basis so you have an accurate picture of how your business is going throughout the year and not just after your year end. We have the same real time picture as you and we can intervene with proactive advice whenever the opportunity arises. Why wait until after the year end when it’s too late? To get to where you want to be you need a “sat nav” not a rear view mirror! 

We have over 25 years’ experience helping Devon’s businesses and we would be pleased to meet you for a FREE discussion on this or any other matter. We could meet at your premises, a location of your choice, or at our offices in Torquay.

If you would like to discuss this please do not hesitate to give me a ring on 01803 321283 or 07833 454422. I would be delighted to speak to you.