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An Inspector Calls - a visit from ‘The VATman’

Back in the dim and distant past I remember leaving school and joining H M Customs and Excise as a trainee VAT officer.  I was appointed to the wilds of South West Scotland and given a plastic brief case with ‘ER’ emblazoned across it to visit VAT registered businesses and check their returns.  Back in those early days there was a deep suspicion and fear around VAT that often translated into a hostile atmosphere during inspections.

New SRA Accounts Rules come into force from 25th November 2019

At first glance, most law firms may have thought that continuing to apply the existing principles will be acceptable to comply, however, there are certain specific changes that require further consideration.  There has been some further guidance issued by the SRA, but the lack of detail in the rules means that complacency regarding the changes may result in breaches by your practice 

All references are to the new rules unless stated otherwise.

Yes, you can retire from being a teacher

Can a teacher retire before retirment age in 2020?

Pension scammers: spot the warning signs

Don't lose your life savings or be persuaded to invest in high-risk schemes

Don’t let scammers enjoy your hard-earned pension proceeds. Anyone can be the victim of a pension scam, no matter how savvy they think they are. It’s important that everyone can spot the warning signs.

Latest figures show that nearly one in ten over-55s fear they have been targeted by suspected scammers since the launch of pension freedoms, new research [1] shows. Cold-calling has been used by fraudsters trying to steal life savings or persuade people to invest in high-risk schemes.

Chartered Status and proud of it!

Armstrong Watson Financial Planning & Wealth Management has held the Chartered status for nearly a decade.

How much do I need to retire?

Saving adequately for the future

The number of people saving enough for a comfortable retirement has hit its highest ever level, with almost three in five Britons (59%) now saving adequately for the future [1]. This is a significant improvement from the 55% proportion recorded 12 months ago, suggesting this April’s auto-enrolment step-up had an immediate positive impact on saving habits.

Smart Investing - Should I invest into a pension or an ISA?

Investors looking for tax-efficient ways to build a nest egg for retirement often look to both individual savings accounts (ISAs) and pensions. Tax-efficiency is a key consideration when investing because it can make a considerable difference to your wealth and quality of life.

Autumn AgriMatters 2019 out now!

Welcome to our quarterly AgriMatters newsletter covering topical issues affecting farmers and the agriculture sector.

Included in this Autumn 201i9 issue is a guest article from Neil Wilson, former Head of Agriculture at HSBC with tips on how to deal with lenders in these challenging times, articles on the potential Inheritance tax changes and tax issues to be aware of if land is subject to Compulsory Purchase; plus guidance on how to understand your cashflow.

Inheritance tax – are you a farmer?

I am regularly asked how closely HM Revenue & Customs look at farming businesses when claims for Agricultural Property Relief (APR) or Business Property Relief (BPR) are made. A recent case heard by the First Tier Tax Tribunal involving a farmer in Lancashire gives the answer.

Thomas Gill had been a farmer all his life until he died in 2013 at the age of 79. The first point to note is that it has taken six years for Mr Gill’s Executors to sort out the amount of IHT, and it is possible that the case may still be appealed to a higher court.

Protect what matters to you, those dearest and those financially dependent upon you.

If something should happen to you, the last thing you want is for you or your family to be worrying about money. One of the most important aspects of your financial planning should be to ensure that you’ve made provision for your family and any dependents in the event of a serious illness, injury or untimely death.