The number of buy-to-let loan applications from limited companies has surged in recent months as landlords prepare for tax hikes starting in April, say mortgage brokers. The latest Buy-to-Let Index, produced by specialist broker, Mortgages for Business, found that 38 per cent of its applications by December 2015 were from limited companies, up from 15… Read more…

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has released new figures that show the number of UK families paying inheritance tax (IHT) is at a 35-year high. Surging house prices have pushed up the value of family assets above the static tax threshold, resulting in an estimated 40,100 families facing payments on their inheritance in the current tax… Read more…

From April 2016, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is raising the qualifying earnings upper limit for auto-enrolment from its 2015/16 value of £42,385 to £43,000 in 2016/17. The lower limit qualifying earnings band will remain at £5,824 and the earnings trigger will be frozen at £10,000 for 2016/17. The qualifying earnings band sets… Read more…

Many UK taxpayers are now able to manage their tax affairs following the launch of Personal Tax Accounts. More than a million customers completing their self-assessment have been provided with an online Personal Tax Account (PTA) that provides a clear view of the tax paid and benefit entitlement, which will enable users to update their… Read more…

The Government is set to implement a statutory tax exemption from income tax and National Insurance Contributions for low-value benefits in kind (BIK). As part of the Finance Bill 2016, it will be set at a £50 limit from 6 April this year. Furthermore, qualifying ‘trivial’ BIKs that are given to directors or other office… Read more…

Efforts to eliminate the problem of late payments in the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector is not working, according to a new study by invoice specialists Tungsten Network. The Prompt Payment Code Advisory board was set up to support and advise the Government on strengthening the Prompt Payment Code, which encourages businesses to pay… Read more…

From 1 April this year every business will need to pay employees over the age of 25 the new statutory National Living Wage (NLW) of £7.20 per hour. Following this change, full-time members of staff working 37.5 hours per week who are currently on the national minimum wage will see their wages increase by £975… Read more…

Last year’s Autumn Statement saw the introduction of a number of new measures, which could have a significant effect on the booming buy-to-let property market. The Chancellor announced during his speech to the Commons a number of new measures that could affect property investors. Chief among these proposals is the introduction of a three per… Read more…

The strength of the pound and a weakening global economy is having a significant impact on UK manufacturers, leading to a decline in demand for their goods overseas, according to a new report. The Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI’s) latest study into the state of British manufacturing has revealed that companies in the sector expect… Read more…

A new report by insolvency trade body R3 has revealed that as many as one-in-five businesses might find themselves in difficulty if interest rates were to rise by at least one percentage point in the next 18 months. The findings from R3’s latest Business Distress Index, a long-running survey of a nationally representative sample of… Read more…