Tag Archives: HMRC

Respect for the self-employed

It’s a truth as old as the hills that there are two types of self-employed. Those who choose to be and those who have no choice. Most people who read this blog have more experience with the “professional” classes who … Continue reading

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I’m nearly 55 – here’s what I’m doing for myself!

In this blog, I want to share with you my DIY approach to organising my finances as I approach 55. 55 has become an important year as it is the point when you move into what can best be called … Continue reading

Posted in pensions, Retirement, reward, welfare | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A “tax on a tax” – VAT on auto-enrolment bills

The Government is encouraging us to think of auto-enrolment for micros as an extension of the success story it has been for larger employers. But things are very different for smaller employers – especially when it comes to tax. Many … Continue reading

Posted in accountants, auto-enrolment, DWP, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Now had to bail out HMRC

  Workplace pension provider NOW: Pensions has announced  that it will pay the Government’s workplace pension for the Government. For the 2015/2016 tax year NOW will make up the income tax relief shortfall for members of its scheme that aren’t taxpayers … Continue reading

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

David Gauke on making tax digital

    This is the transcript of a speech given  by David Gauke, the  Financial Secretary to the Treasury at the Armstrong Watson event: ‘Essentials of pensions, tax and payroll in 2016’ I think the RTI project one of the … Continue reading

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Running Pension Policy – Snapchat Style!

There are leaks and there are leaks, but this feels like the Treasury pulling the plug out with the bath full and ready! Take a look at the timeline of the Times’ story (12.01am); this is no idle tittle-tattle from the … Continue reading

Posted in Pension Freedoms, pensions, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What is salary sacrifice and why’s it under threat?

If you read Jo Cumbo’s piece on possible changes to pensions tax relief in the FT yesterday, you’ll have seen references to the abolition of pension salary sacrifice. Pension Salary Sacrifice is quite legal and both the DWP and HMRC … Continue reading

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Auto-enrolment limits – what the DWP aren’t saying!

The DWP’s paper on the Earnings Trigger and Qualifying Earnings Bands(QEB) for auto-enrolment next year is very well written and gives an insight into just how much thought is going into managing the conflicting needs of employers, workers, administrators and…HMRC. … Continue reading

Posted in accountants, auto-enrolment, Payroll, pension playpen, pensions, Pensions Regulator, Treasury, welfare, Workie | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

NEST is not a financial soup-kitchen.

For some time , I and others advising on workplace pensions have been calling for NEST to make a clear statement on charging employers for NEST support. Now we have it . In case you can’t press the link , here … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, DWP, governance, NEST, Payroll, pension playpen, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How the autumn statement will effect pensions and pensioners

There were no big pension surprises in this autumn statement but the Chancellor managed to squeeze some savings from auto-enrolled workers and pensioners. All eyes now turn to the 2016 Budget where the Chancellor is expected to make an announcement … Continue reading

Posted in accountants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment