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Boost your Investment returns using the CGT exemption

The Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption is a valuable allowance. At £10,900 for 2013/14, it's worth £3,052 to higher rate taxpayers paying tax at 28% on their gains.

But it's a 'use it or lose it' allowance. It can't be carried forward.

There's a monetary argument for investors sitting on an investment portfolio with significant capital gains to realise enough each year to fully use their exemption. The proceeds can be reinvested, but the accrued capital gains within the portfolio will reduce.

Paying for IHT

Inheritance Tax is an unwelcome burden to families on the death of a loved one. It hits straight away as it has to be paid even before Probate can be obtained and control established over the assets of the deceased.

Indeed, this can itself cause difficulties as Executors do not have access to assets without Probate. This apparent 'Catch 22' situation is fortunately resolved by the willingness of banks to release or lend money to pay the tax.

Inheritance Tax

I read an article recently which suggested that 35% of parents were unwilling to leave an inheritance to their children as their childrens’ spouses could eventually end up with some of the assets if there were to be a subsequent divorce. However, what about the remaining 65% of parents who would be prepared to give away their assets, despite this risk?

Accountancy Trainees Reach National Apprentice Business Challenge Final

Accountancy firm Armstrong Watson is extremely proud to announce that four of its accountancy trainee students have successfully secured a place in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Apprentice Business Challenge 2013 National Final, following a regional heat In Leeds last month.

Death & taxes

It is sometimes said that death & taxes are unavoidable. With Inheritance Tax (IHT) these issues are combined which does, perhaps, explain why it is such an unpopular tax.

It is also a tax that has been rising steadily in real terms for the last four years and the Government announced in March that this would continue for at least the next six years.

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

Many employers and employees make use of the advisory fuel rates published by HM Revenue & Customs. The rates apply where the employer:

• reimburses employees for business travel in company cars where the employer does not provide fuel, or,
• requires employees to reimburse the cost of employer provided fuel used for private travel, so potentially avoiding a private fuel benefit charge.

The advisory fuel rates are also acceptable for VAT purposes providing VAT receipts for fuel purchases are retained.

Taxation of partnerships and LLPs

HM Revenue & Customs has published its long-awaited consultation document on the taxation of partnerships and LLPs. It covers two aspects. Firstly there is the whole basis of taxation of LLP members whose terms resemble those of employees. Secondly there is the question of profit allocation where the partnership includes at least one corporate partner as well as individuals. The intention is to legislate on changes to take effect from April 2014.

Benchmarking

In the current economic climate my clients are increasingly interested in how they have fared compared to industry averages. This naturally leads to the questions: “how can I do better?” and more importantly “how can I make more money?”. The answer to these questions is fairly simple – compare yourself to your best performing competitors and adopt all of their best practices. How you do this is the tricky bit…

Passion for motorbike racing lands Angela some notable wins and some less welcome injuries

For the 10th year in succession, Armstrong Watson will be sponsoring Angela Cragg in her seasons racing. Angela, from our Penrith office, started riding motorbikes when she was nine and has never stopped.

Local Accountants beat some of the UK’s largest businesses and Accountancy firms in the National ‘Top Employers’ survey

Armstrong Watson has been ranked number six in the UK in the ‘Top Employers for School & College Leavers Survey 2013/2014’.

Beating off strong competition from big businesses both in the accountancy sector such as Deloitte, PWC, and Grant Thornton, and the wider business economy such as Marks and Spencer, Santander and Jaguar Land Rover, Armstrong Watson was ranked 6th in the survey which reveals the top 20 employers for school and college leavers.