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Check your National Insurance Record

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

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When you must register for VAT

The taxable turnover threshold, that determines whether businesses should be registered for VAT, is currently £85,000. The taxable turnover threshold that determines whether businesses can apply for deregistration is £83,000. It was confirmed as

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IHT – estimating an estate’s value

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is levied on a person’s estate when they die and can also be payable during a person’s lifetime on certain trusts and gifts. The rate of Inheritance Tax payable is 40% on death and 20% on lifetime gifts. The current IHT nil

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Dissolved companies and bona vacantia

A company comes to a legal end when it is dissolved. However, one if the important points to be aware of when doing so is that the dissolved company can no longer do or receive anything including receive a tax refund. It is the responsibility of the

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New Energy Bills Discount Scheme

The government has published details of a new Energy Bills Discount Scheme which will replace the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme that comes to an end on 31 March 2023. The new scheme will offer support until 31 March 2024, to eligible non-domestic

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A definition of trusts

HMRC’s internal manuals states that the word `trust’ describes a relationship between certain persons which is recognised by the law; concerned with particular property; and enforceable by reference to rules of trust law. Effectively, a trust

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Which way to turn

Inflation and recession are cruel task-masters. If you provide goods or services that can be readily sourced from alternative suppliers, and at a lower cost, trying to beef-up your sales prices will likely result in lost income as your customers go

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UK regains control over business subsidies

A new system to regulate the award of subsidies to business came into force on Wednesday 4 January 2023. It should provide a boost to businesses across the country and empower public authorities to deliver support to businesses in a quicker, fairer,

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Limits to tax relief for pension contributions

Under current rules, you can claim tax relief for your private pension contributions. The annual allowance for tax relief on pensions is £40,000 for the current tax year. There is a three year carry forward rule that allows you to carry forward any

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