Reviewing your inheritance tax strategy on a regular basis is an important part of tax planning, and the tax year end is a good time for a quick ‘maintenance review’. (more…)
Reviewing your inheritance tax strategy on a regular basis is an important part of tax planning, and the tax year end is a good time for a quick ‘maintenance review’. (more…)
More tinkering with the economy = Another missed opportunity
One simple measure could have been taken to reinforce the elements of cost control and economy – like actually raising the VAT rate to 20% (rather than just back to 17.5%). (more…)
Your guide to the Chancellor’s Statement I 9th December 2009
Alistair Darling’s announcements include unexpected tax increases
In his final Pre-Budget Report before the next General Election, Alistair Darling faced the twin dilemmas of a soaring public finance deficit and a recession-driven reduction in Government income. While conceding that the economy in 2009 had shrunk by more than previously forecast, the Chancellor stuck to his predictions for a modest return to growth in 2010.
The Chancellor also outlined Government ambitions to reduce the budget deficit by half within four years. Some spending cuts were put forward, including a planned public sector pay settlement cap. As for boosting Government income, VAT returns to a standard rate of 17.5 per cent (though no higher as some feared) and there is to be a further increase of 0.5 per cent in employers’ and employees’ national insurance contributions as from April 2011. Time will tell whether Mr Darling’s final Pre-Budget Report speeds the slow economic recovery. (more…)


