Upcoming changes to Buy to Let EPC Rating requirements The Government has announced that they are changing the rules surrounding Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Ratings on all properties being let out. This is known as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES). Although it sounds harmless enough, a large number of properties in the UK
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For many the lifetime allowance (LTA) on the value of your pension savings will become an increasing concern as the tax net is reaching wider with many more people paying tax on their pension savings then ever before. Awareness of the lifetime allowance and the implications for pension savers is now a key part
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With no significant tax or pension changes in yesterday’s Budget, the key financial planning points are: Income tax The personal allowance and higher rate threshold will increase earlier than expected to £12,500 and £50,000 respectively from April 2019. The income tax rates and bands for Scottish taxpayers will be announced in Scottish Budget on
Read MoreAs expected with Brexit looming, Philip Hammond delivered a fairly non-descript Budget with only one or two small surprises. The highlights relevant to our clients are detailed below. Pensions Lifetime allowance for pensions – the Budget papers confirmed that the lifetime allowance for pension savings will increase in line with CPI, rising to £1,030,000
Read MoreSpring Budget 2017 Update Yesterday, Philip Hammond the Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered the last Spring Budget (although as he joked, we’ve been told that before, by Norman Lamont in 1992). There were no significant tax or pension changes in yesterday’s Budget that will have any immediate impact, allowing all to plan for the tax
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This will be the last Autumn Statement. In future, the Budget Day will switch from spring to autumn, with a toned down statement on the economy delivered each March. This will give welcome breathing space between the announcement of budget changes and their introduction. Philip Hammond’s first Autumn Statement didn’t contain any major tax or
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Navigating the available options regarding ISAs can be confusing. With 6 months to go before the end of the tax year, now is a good time to look at whether you should be contributing to an ISA. Over time the ISA allowance has increased considerably, but savings rates have dropped. The Cash ISA & Stocks & Shares
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Grandparents can make a real difference to their grandchildren’s futures by helping with the costs of education. With the cost of a 3-year university course topping £50k*, many students are starting work with large debts, or worse, could be put off going altogether. Grandparents need not feel concerned about handing large sums to their grandchildren
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Pensions – no news is good news Its business as usual for pension saving as the Chancellor confirmed there will be no imminent changes to pension tax relief. The introduction of the new Lifetime ISA (LISA) saving vehicle from April 2017 adds another complementary option to the saving landscape. Other pension news Salary sacrifice is
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There have been several significant changes over the last couple of years and therefore some important actions are required before the end of current tax year as well as a number of planning opportunities that will take effect from 6th April 2016. To help you plan; under the various headings below, we have listed just
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