HMRC have published a technical note covering the proposals, announced in the Summer Budget 2015, to phase in a new residence nil-rate band (RNRB) from 6 April 2017 when a residence is passed on death to a direct descendant.

The proposed rate bands are:

– £100,000 in 2017-18
– £125,000 in 2018-19
– £150,000 in 2019-20
– £175,000 in 2020-21

It is proposed that from 2021-22 the band will rise in line with the consumer price index (CPI).

Broadly, the proposals mean that where part or all of the RNRB might be lost because the…

From 2015-16 onwards, the collection of Class 2 contributions will be through the self-assessment system. This means that Class 2 NICs can now be paid together with income tax and Class 4 NICs in one chunk on the 31 January following the end of the relevant tax year. In the past, most people have paid Class 2 contributions monthly by direct debit. Following the final payment in July 2015, HMRC have cancelled such direct debit payments, ready for the switch over to the new system of payment under…

1 – Due date for payment of Corporation Tax for the year ended 31 December 2014

5 – If a Tax Return has not been received, individuals and trustees must notify HMRC of new sources of income and chargeability in 2014/15

14 – Return and payment of CT61 tax due for quarter to 30 September 2015

19 – Tax and Class 1B national insurance due on PAYE settlements for 2014/15

19/22 – PAYE/NIC, student loan and CIS deductions due for month to 5/10/2015 or quarter 2 of 2015/16 for small employers

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Q. I have recently registered for VAT. What is the difference between ‘normal’ and ‘cash’ accounting?

A. Under the normal method of accounting for VAT, you account for the output tax on your sales as they take place or as soon as you issue a VAT invoice, even if your customer hasn’t paid you. Then you can reclaim input tax on purchases you make as soon as you receive a VAT invoice, even if you haven’t paid your supplier. This method can cause cash flow problems if you have…

Confusion often arises regarding tips and gratuities as the tax and NIC treatment depends on how they are paid to the recipient.

Cash tips handed to an employee, or left on the table at a restaurant and retained by that employee, are not subject to tax and NICs under PAYE, but the employee will need to declare the income to HMRC – HMRC often make an adjustment to the employee’s PAYE tax code number to reflect the amount likely to be received during a tax year so any liability…