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Basis periods – the general rules

A basis period is the time period for which the self-employed or partnerships pay tax in each tax year. The general rule is that the profits for a tax year are those arising in the period of 12 months ending with the accounting date in that year. The

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Setting off trading losses against other income

Where an individual makes a loss in a trade or incurs a loss as a partner in a partnership trade, the tax rules allow the loss to be set against general income. Certain trade losses may be offset against general income. It may also be possible to

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Patents, general considerations

A UK patent is granted under the laws of the UK, usually, by the UK Intellectual Property Office. Obtaining a patent can be a difficult and expensive endeavour. A patent only protects an invention in the country where the patent is registered, and so

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Tax Diary October/November 2019

1 October 2019 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 December 2018. 19 October 2019 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 October 2019. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 October 2019.) 19 October

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Shared parental leave and pay

The shared parental leave and pay rules offer working parents far greater choice as to how they share the care of their child and take time off work during the first year of their child’s life. The rules apply equally for children that have

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Reporting changes that affect Child Benefits

You must notify HMRC of certain changes to family life. For example, a change in your child’s or your family’s circumstances. This is to ensure that the correct amount of Child Benefit is paid in respect of your children. You must tell

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Tax relief for private pension contributions

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 also a facility to carry forward any unused amount of your annual allowance from the

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Don’t miss your company accounts filing deadline

Companies House has issued a press release to remind companies to keep on top of their filing responsibilities. The end of this month, 30 September 2019, marks a common deadline for many companies who will need to file their company accounts with a

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IHT and lifetime transfers

There are special rules concerning the liability to IHT of a transfer made during a person's lifetime. For example, most gifts made during a person's life are not subject to tax at the time of the gift. These lifetime transfers are known as

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Income excluded from a UK property business

HMRC publishes a list of income streams that are excluded from a UK property business. The list includes fishing concerns, hotels and guest houses, tied premises, caravan sites, lodgers and tenants in your own home, extra services to tenants and

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