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Online live funerals receive VAT exemption

Funerals that are broadcast online for well-wishers unable to attend in person are
becoming exempt from VAT. During the COVID pandemic, streaming  funerals became commonplace due to restrictions on the number of people
gathering. Now, there has been an update to the rules around VAT which means any funerals shown live over the web will not face the charge.

The update
also includes live streaming of a cremation or burial. If VAT has been charged in the past, then an adjustment can be made on future VAT returns.

This…

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Bumper IHT receipts set to be new record high

We‘ve seen plenty of speculation before the last two Budgets that Inheritance
Tax would see major reforms. Yet nothing materialised. And the latest figures released by the Treasury show perhaps why there might be
some reluctance to change the rules, with the amount of tax received hitting a record high.

The latest stats have shown that the Treasury looks set to collect £7.54bn in the 2023/24 tax year. That‘s higher than the previous record
of £7.1bn, which was recorded in the 2022/23 tax year.

The Treasury has brought in £6.8bn…

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Plans to close HMRC helpline for half a year halted

You may have seen somewhat of a furore breaking out in the media towards the end of the month,
as HMRC announced its tax helpline would shut down for half of the year. Rather than use the phone line, anyone seeking help from HMRC officials would
be faced with using online services such as a chatbot instead. The proposal meant the Self-Assessment line would be closed from 8 April to 30 September.
It follows a trial last year.

However, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, appeared to step in and order…

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Spring Finance Bill sets shape for tax changes to come

You‘ve probably digested the main news by now from the Spring Budget. Now comes the next
stage:the Spring Finance Bill. The bill was published on 14 March, ensuring that
the measures announced in the Budget take their next steps towards becoming reality.

Whenever a government announces new taxation in a Budget or Spring or Autumn Statement, these plans require statutory (or legislative) authority.
A number of tax changes will now be enshrined into law if the bill passes as expected.

Cuts to National Insurance contributions and the abolition of…

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National Insurance contributions (NICs) to be cut

As expected, Mr Hunt’s main announcement surrounded NICs. In line with prior media reports,
he went even further than the changes he made on NICs in the Autumn Statement last November.

He announced a 2p cut in NICs. From April 6 employee NICS will be cut from 10% to 8%. Meanwhile, self-employed NICS will go from 8% to 6%.

Mr Hunt said: “It means an additional £450 a year for the average employee or £350 for someone self-employed. When combined with the autumn reductions,
it means 27 million employees will…

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Non-dom tax breaks to be abolished

As had been trailed in many of the newspapers in the week leading up to the Budget,
the contentious ‘non-dom’ scheme will be scrapped.

Mirroring what has been one of the higher profile policies of the Labour Party, Mr Hunt said the tax breaks for wealthy foreign residents
in the UK will be abolished and replaced with a new scheme.

So-called non-doms are UK residents but not domiciled here for tax purposes.

Mr Hunt said the Government would “introduce a system which is both fairer and remains competitive with other countries.”

“The…

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VAT registration threshold increase

In a move designed to cut the burden of admin and the financial impact of VAT,
the VAT registration threshold is to increase from £85,000 to £90,000 from April. Although this was not as high as some commentators had hoped,
it is the first increase in 7 years and will bring “tens of thousands of businesses out of paying VAT altogether and encourage many more to invest
and grow”, Mr Hunt told MPs.

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Cut to property capital gains tax

The higher rate of property capital gains tax is to be reduced from 28% to 24%.

The Government said that it had concluded, following a review of costs by the Treasury and the OBR, the change would increase revenues because
there would be more transactions.

However, the lower rate will remain at 18% for any gains that fall within an individual’s basic rate band.

On that point, the official Budget papers stated: “This will encourage landlords and second homeowners to sell their properties, making more
available for a variety of buyers…

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New British ISA and British Savings Bonds

The Government will create a “British ISA” to encourage the public to invest
exclusively in the UK. This will allow people to save an extra £5,000 tax-free per year by investing in UK equity. It will carry “all
the tax advantages of other ISAs”.

This would be in addition to the £20,000 that can be subscribed into an ISA. The government will consult on the details.

Some commentators immediately raised doubts on the merits of the new ISA. They say that geographic diversity is key for having a diversified
portfolio…

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Chancellor takes ‘further steps’ on Full Expensing

In a move he described as a tax cut for businesses, Mr Hunt confirmed the Government will introduce permanent
Full Expensing. He said it was worth £10bn a year for companies.

A capital allowance tax scheme, the move enables businesses to write off 100% of the cost of investment on qualifying items such as new or improved technology, equipment,
machinery or buildings.

Having announced it as a temporary measure in March 2023, the Treasury will shortly publish draft legislation for Full Expensing to apply to leased assets. This will be…

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