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Budget 2006

 

 

Summary                                                  Tax Tips for Individuals

Small Companies                                       Tax Tips for Businesses

Businesses

Individuals                                                Third World

 

I will be receiving a Fellowship award from the Chartered Institute of Taxation for my thesis on the taxation of small companies in London on 24 March 2006. 

If you would like the latest information on the taxation of small businesses then please email me and I will respond next week. 

 

 

SUMMARY

Small limited companies pay tax at 19%. The starting rate of 0% on the first £10,000 has been withdrawn from 1 April 2006. The Non-Corporate Distribution Tax has also been withdrawn from 1 April.
First year allowances on capital spending is increased to 50% for 2006/07.
Most allowances increased in line with inflation.
Tax incentives for research & development increased for medium sized companies.
Inheritance tax free band to be increased to £285,000 in 2006/07 and then progressively up to £325,000 in 2009/10.
Vehicle Excise Duty increased to £210 for high pollution cars, but reduced to £40 or even £0 for cars with low emissions.
Tax credits increased.
No stamp duty on house purchases under £125,000.
Computers provided to employees are now a taxable benefit in kind.
If more than one mobile phone is provided to an employee this is a taxable benefit in kind.
For contractors worried about IR35, a new employment status test questionnaire is available at https://esi2calculator.hmrc.gov.uk/esi/app/index.html

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Tax Tips for Individuals

1.      Make sure you claim the children’s tax credit. It is now worth more than ever.

2.      Consider taking a salary increase instead of the company car, then using your own car for business and claiming mileage. From 2008/09 consider having a company car with emissions of 120g/km or less, as the benefit in kind charge will only be 10% of the list price (as opposed to 35% for most cars).

3.      If your employer is not paying you the full 40p per mile, then claim the difference on your tax return.

4.      If you don’t like paperwork, then go to www.hmrc.gov.uk and register to prepare your own tax return using the internet service or contact me for a tax return efiling service starting from £75 plus VAT.

5.    Encourage your employer to loan or sell you a bicycle.

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Tax Tips for Businesses

1.      If you are not already benefiting from the low corporation tax rates, then consider forming your own limited company now. Despite the increases in Budget 2006 trading through a limited company could still save you over £3,000 per year. Small Businesses

2.      If you incur wages or consumables costs on research and development, then make sure you or your accountant are claiming the research and development tax credit.

3.      If you don’t like paperwork, then look into the VAT Flat Rate Scheme. The incentives are higher for businesses in their first year of VAT registration. 

4.  The benefit in kind rules now apply to computers or second mobile phones provided to employees for their personal use. 

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SMALL COMPANIES

New Corporation Tax Rules

The corporation tax on profits up to £300,000 is only 19%.

From 1 April there is no further corporation tax to pay when money is paid out as dividends.

 

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BUSINESSES

Research & Development Tax Credits

Since April 2000, small and medium sized companies spending over £25,000 on research & development (r&d) have been able to claim tax credits on most of their r&d expenditure. In some cases a tax refund of 24% of r&d spending can be obtained. Qualifying expenditure is salary costs, consumable stores and 65% of payments for sub-contracted r&d work.

This scheme has now been extended to large companies.

 

Limits for operating PAYE

The threshold for tax and National Insurance has been increased from £94 per week to £97 per week (or from £405 to £420 per month).

 

Incentives for E-filing PAYE Returns

Small business that file their 2005/06 PAYE returns electronically will be given a £250 incentive.

VAT Flat Rate Scheme

The scheme is available to businesses with taxable turnover of up to £150,000 per annum. The flat rates have been reduced and there is an extra 1% reduction on the rates for business in their first year of VAT registration. Under the scheme, a business completes its VAT Returns by taking turnover and multiplying by an agreed percentage and that’s it. Details of the flat rates for particular businesses can be found at www.hmce.gov.uk

No analysis of VAT on purchases is required.

 

Enhanced Capital Allowances for Energy Efficient Equipment

100% capital allowances are available for certain items of plant and machinery, including cars with fuel emissions of not more than 120gm/km CO2. The scheme is being expanded

See www.eca.gov.uk for details.

 

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INDIVIDUALS

Tax Rates and Allowances

The personal allowance is increased from £4,895 in 2005/06 to £5,035 for 2006/07. The 10% band is increased from £2,090 to £2,150. The starting point for the 40% band is increased from £32,400 to £33,300.

   

Gift Aid

From 2003/04 gift aid donations made up to the time that you file your tax return can be carried back into the previous tax year.

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THIRD WORLD ISSUES

Bribes

In February 2004 it became a criminal offence for a UK citizen to bribe a foreign official.

From 1 April 2002 bribes are not tax deductible.

 

Drug Research Into Third World Diseases

Expenditure on research into TB, malaria, HIV and AIDS qualifies for an extra 50% deduction for corporation tax purposes. 

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Last modified: November 30, 2008