Blog

Commentary and insight

Our team of experts keeps a close eye on developments in tax law and financial regulation. Our blog is where they interpret the ever-changing statutory landscape in plain English, highlighting what’s important and offering practical advice on what businesses can do to avoid pitfalls or seize the opportunities presented.

Covid-19 Update and Government Spending Review

'ECONOMIC EMERGENCY HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN' In his spending review yesterday Rishi Sunak said the "economic emergency" caused by Covid-19 has only just begun, as he warned the virus would mean lasting damage to growth and jobs. Official forecasts now...

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Business Diversification – Implications for Tax

Many businesses turned chameleon during Covid-19, changing core business to adapt. But whether you’re a florist making face masks or a farm shop starting home deliveries, what about tax? If a business starts a new trade, it’s normally treated as a...

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Covid-19: Update

As we enter the third week of lockdown in England and reflect on improved testing, new vaccine trial results and a host of experts talking on the news about the timing of rollout and when Covid-19 will no longer be a threat to normality, it is...

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To Flip or Not to Flip Your Main Residence

The pros and cons of changing your main residence. With property being one of the most reliable investments around in a period of historic low-interest, many money-savvy people these days end up owning additional properties. They might rent them...

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The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

Life raft of laws to keep companies buoyant ‘The most significant reforms of UK insolvency law for a decade’? The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 puts in place a series of measures amending Insolvency and Company law. Some are...

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Business Asset Disposal Relief

Entrepreneurs’ relief is no more (in name at least). Last March, one of the headline-grabbing measures announced in what will be the only Budget speech of 2020 surrounded what we knew as entrepreneurs’ relief. The relief was designed to be an...

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Tax Cash Flow – Your Next Steps

Income tax: The Winter Economy Plan gives longer to pay for liabilities due in January 2021. This applies not just if you took up the option of putting off to 31 January 2021 the second income tax self-assessment payment on account for 2019/20, due...

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Support for the Self Employed Has Been Extended

The government has announced more support will be available for the self-employed in the form of two grants, each available for three-month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021. To be eligible for the Grant...

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The Job Support Scheme Starts 1 November 2020

The Job Support Scheme (JSS) provides different types of support to businesses so they can get the assistance according to their situation. Businesses that are open but facing decreased demand can get support for wages through “JSS Open”. Those...

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A Property Tax Shake Up Fuels House Buying Surge

Are you a landlord looking to purchase another rental property? Are you looking to purchase a property for investment purposes? If you are considering moving home in the second half of 2020/21, you are by no means alone. In the month leading up to...

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The Importance of Scenario Planning for Your Business

With the current Covid restrictions putting many businesses at risk, planning for and analysis of different scenarios has never been so crucial for all businesses to ensure their future success – performing ‘what if’ scenarios can help business...

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Making Tax Digital – an update

Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD for VAT) has been effective for businesses with turnover above the VAT threshold of £85,000 since April 2019. HMRC recently outlined its next steps, including the introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax...

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What we can do for you

Find out more about the full range of business and tax advisory services Horsfield & Smith offers to businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester and the North West of England and see how we can help you achieve your goals for growth.