CURRENT ISSUES |  All | VAT | Legal | Tax | Charities & Non Profit | Financial Services |

CURRENT ISSUES

Shipleys provides insight and analysis on the current issues facing clients in their personal and business affairs.

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If you would like further advice on any of these topics please get in touch with your usual Shipleys contact or email advice@shipleys.com

 

VAT

Key Data

12 Aug 2010

Some of the key facts and figures about VAT and related systems such as Intrastat can be found in this article.

VAT

Changes to VAT on Mailing Services

06 Aug 2010

An outline of the VAT laws surrounding mail dellivery services.
Alternatives to Cheques

04 Aug 2010

It was recently announced that cheques are due to be phased out by 2018, leaving many business with the decision of finding an adequate replacement. Legal firms are set to be affected by this change as a significant number of their clients pay by cheque. This article discusses all the options.
Pensions

Tax

Pension Tax

29 Jul 2010

The emergency Budget on 22 June 2010 saw yet more changes to the 'simplified' pension taxation regime.
Pre-owned Assets

Tax

Pre-owned Assets

26 Jul 2010

The rules regarding pre-owned assets are very complicated but their effect is to impose an income tax charge on the perceived benefit from the 'pre-owned' asset. Read our detailed analysis here.

Tax

Research & Development

21 Jun 2010

Research and Development (R&D) relief was introduced to encourage companies to invest in the advancement of technology and science.

Tax

Capital Gains Tax - Run for Cover

02 Jun 2010

The new coalition Government has begun to announce changes which are likely to feature in the emergency Budget in the 22 June. This article discusses the issues in detail.

Charities & Non Profit

Charity Update - May

19 May 2010

This summary of recent developments in the Charities and Non Profit sector includes information on Charitable Incoporated Organisations and Gift Aid.

Financial Services

International Financial Reporting Developments

01 Apr 2010

A Summary of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Developments

Financial Services

FSA Updates

01 Apr 2010

A summary of recent FSA updates including information about proposed changes to Collective Investment Schemes Sourcebook (COLL), regulatory Reporting for Investment Firms and regulatory fees.

Financial Services

Strengthening Liquidity Standards

01 Apr 2010

This summary explores the requirements concerning liquidity resources for banks, building societies and investment firms that came into force on 1 Dec 2009.

VAT

Important Changes - VAT Cheque payments by post

23 Mar 2010

An announcement was posted on the HM Revenue & Customs website on 25th February 2010 notifying a change of policy regarding the date that cheque payments sent by post are deemed to have been received.

VAT

'Failure to Notify' Penalties

20 Mar 2010

A summary of the initiatives HMRC is introducing to harmonise the multitude of penalty regimes that apply to the various taxes and duties it administers.

VAT

Partial Exemption

20 Mar 2010

HM Revenue & Customs has announced the introduction of simplified partial exemption de minimis tests. These will enable businesses to work out whether or not they can treat themselves as fully able to recover input VAT without having to perform a full partial exemption calculation.

VAT

More Indirect Tax Penalties

01 Mar 2010

HM Revenue & Customs is continuing to update the penalty regime in respect of indirect taxes and is introducing a 'VAT and Excise Wrongdoing Penalty' with effect from 1 April 2010

VAT

Foreign VAT Reclaim

04 Feb 2010

This summary outlines the problems relating to reclaiming foreign VAT and how to overcome them.

Tax

Pre-Budget Report 2009

09 Dec 2009

The Chancellor on 9 December 2009 announced a number of detailed tax and NIC changes, generally maintaining tax rates and allowances but introducing a swingeing short-term tax on bank bonuses.

VAT

Increase in Standard Rate

26 Nov 2009

The return of the UK standard rate of VAT to 17½% on 1 January 2010 has been widely criticised, this article highlights some of the finer points.
Change of Rate

VAT

Change of Rate

24 Nov 2009

VAT Registered businesses should be aware of the rules relating to the increase of VAT back up to 17½%.
Charity Update

Charities & Non Profit

Charity Update

29 Sep 2009

A summary of recent changes affecting charities and Non-Profit organisations including information about Gift Aid, Fraud and Public Benefit Reporting.

Financial Services

Accounting & Reporting

28 Sep 2009

The FSA has proposed amendments to its Collective Investment Schemes Sourcebook (COLL) which are in part aimed at removing inconsistencies between COLL and the IMA SORP which have emerged since the implementation of the SORP from January 2009.
Cross Border

VAT

Cross Border VAT Changes

15 Sep 2009

A summary of the cross- border VAT changes that are coming into place from the 1 January 2010, relevant to any business that makes intra EU supplies of services or has incurred VAT in other EU countries.
Off Shore Amnesty

Tax

Tax Amnesty for off-shore savings

28 Aug 2009

Individuals with unpaid taxes linked to offshore accounts or assets are being given a second and final chance to settle their tax liabilities at a favourable penalty rate.
Governance and Best Practice

Charities & Non Profit

Governance and Best Practice

28 Aug 2009

This summary examines the seven key principles of good governance discussed in the "Code of Good Governance" for the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Electronic Filing

VAT

Electronic Filing

30 Jul 2009

HM Revenue & Customs has announced plans to phase out paper VAT returns with effect from 1 April 2010. From that date all new VAT registrations and all existing VAT registrations with turnover of more than £100,000 will be obliged to file online.
Import & Export

VAT

Import and Export

12 Jun 2009

If you occasionally import or export goods to or from the EU, new VAT rules apply from 1st July 2009.
Non Doms

Tax

Non UK Domiciliaries from 6 April 2008

14 May 2009

A summary outlining major tax changes that apply from 6 April 2008 and affect those resident in the UK but not domiciled or not ordinarily resident
Statement of Recommended Practice

Financial Services

Statement of Recommended Practice

02 Mar 2009

The IMA SORP 2008, issued on the 10 November 2008, replaces the SORP 2005 and is applicable to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. The main changes and areas of particular interest are summarised here.
Small Business

VAT

Three ways to make it easier for small businesses

20 Feb 2009

If your annual turnover (excluding VAT) is £1,350,000 or less you may be eligible to calculate your VAT payments using the cash accounting VAT scheme.
Errors & Penalties

VAT

Errors and Penalties

15 Feb 2009

The VAT penalty system and the VAT error threshold have both been amended resulting in a regime that requires fewer errors to be separately disclosed to HM Revenue & Customs but a greater risk of being penalised for making mistakes.
Capital Gains

Tax

Capital Gains Tax from 6 April 2008

24 Apr 2008

A summary of how the new 18% flat rate of Capital Gains Tax, which applies to disposals from 6 April 2008 by individuals, trustees and executors will affect investors.
Arctic Systems

Tax

Arctic Systems and Income Shifting

13 Dec 2007

On 25 July 2007, The House of Lords found in favour of the taxpayers Mr & Mrs Jones in the widely publicised tax case known as "Arctic Systems".