What do you remember about the 2010s? A decade is a long time and a lot happens, but important details can be lost in the big headline moments. The one that has just ended makes the point. The 2010s started with Gordon Brown as prime minister and, four elections and two referendums later, closed with … More Look back in curiosity: what can we learn from the 2010s?

The Jersey States Assembly agreed to abolish the archaic rule in early February, reversing a situation whereby only one person in a couple is able to deal with their tax affairs, which must be the husband in a heterosexual couple or the older partner in a same sex or civil partnership who is deemed to … More Independent taxation: Jersey women no longer left behind

The clock is ticking on using up your pension annual allowance The allowance effectively sets the maximum pension contributions from all sources (including your employer) on which you may be able to claim income tax relief. In recent times it has been the subject of much controversy because of the way the allowance is tapered … More Last call for 2016/17 on your annual allowance…

The intestacy rules for England and Wales have been amended. The intestacy rules automatically apply to the distribution of estates where there is no will. There are three different sets of rules in the UK: one for England and Wales, a similar set for Northern Ireland and a much more different set for Scotland. The … More Intestacy rule change favours spouses

For taxpayers who have trouble affording their tax bills, HRMC has updated its process for setting up time to pay arrangements. If you have missed the self-assessment filing deadline of 31 January, and are struggling to cover your tax payments, you can now set up a time to pay arrangement online with HMRC. The online … More ‘Time to pay’ arrangements get easier

New calculations from the Office for National Statistics have lowered life expectancy. Every two years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) recalculates its national population projections (NPP). As part of the exercise, the ONS reviews and updates its assumptions about future mortality, which in turn will have an impact on population size. The latest figures, … More Lower your expectations…or not?

If you’ve received a new mobile phone from your employer for the new year, new guidance from HMRC on the taxation of the device may be useful. As increasing numbers of employees are using phones provided by their workplace, differentiating between business and personal use can become tricky. Where more than one device is used, … More Call you back – new HMRC guidance on taxing mobiles

Following months of disquiet, the government has announced a review of the extension of the off-payroll taxation rules into the private sector. But it may be too late to prevent implementation. The rules, known as IR35, are intended to tighten non-compliance with off-payroll working regulations by shifting responsibility for determining the tax status of contractors … More Off-payroll reforms into review

How will the new government affect your financial planning?    A look at the Conservative manifesto, easily the shortest of the three main parties, gives some limited clues: Income tax There was a promise not to increase income tax rates – although it is worth remembering that this does not extend to Scotland and Wales, … More New year, new government

Not everyone enjoys the holiday season, but for some it creates a useful breathing space. For some Christmas Day presented the opportunity to submit their self-assessment tax return.  It happens every year – the countdown to the end of January. Many of us make pre-new year’s resolutions to get our self-assessment forms done early. However, … More Self-assessment comes calling again