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Category: financial planning & Housing & property & Uncategorized
Chancellor George Osborne landed buy-to-let landlords a shock during the Autumn Statement by announcing a 3% stamp duty surcharge on property purchases from 1st April 2016.
The addition of a 3% extra charge for buy-to-let and second homes on all stamp duty bands above a Ā£40,000 starting level will see some purchases taking on a much larger amount of stamp duty.
Category: Market commentary & Uncategorized
Introduction
November brought us the Chancellorās Autumn Statement and Spending Review in the UK ā and rather more tragic events abroad. Friday November 13th saw the massacre in Paris, which was inevitably followed by an escalation in the bombing of ISIS in Syria.
Category: Autumn Statement & financial planning & Uncategorized
According to George Osborneās Autumn Statement and Spending Review, we all look set to face a galvanised HMRC, with an increased war chest for tackling tax evasion and avoidance. The Chancellor believes Ā£5bn of additional revenue is expected to be raised by his new range of initiatives. Measures are planned to introduce new penalties for the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) and disguised remuneration schemes.
Category: Annual Allowance & pensions & Uncategorized
The government announced on 8 July 2015, that for 2016 to 2017 onwards the annual allowance for tax relieved pension savings will be reduced for those with incomes of over Ā£150,000. Their annual allowance will be reduced by Ā£1 for every Ā£2 of income they have over Ā£150,000, with a maximum reduction of Ā£30,000.
Category: Investments & pensions & Uncategorized
Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) are designed to give you greater control over your retirement savings. With a SIPP you can choose from a wide range of high quality investments, manage them for yourself and consolidate your existing pensions in one place. A SIPP is different to other pension saving forms and can give you more control over your pension through a provider with a wide range of funds and the flexibility to manage your own investments.
Category: Budget & Cashflow & financial planning & Uncategorized
Introduction
Just over four months ago, George Osborne delivered his second Budget of 2015, following the Conservative Partyās outright victory in the May general election. At that moment, the view from 11, Downing Street must have looked remarkably pleasant. Osborneās handling of the economy was widely credited with playing a large ā if not pivotal ā part in the election victory. Boris Johnson and Theresa May, the Chancellorās two main rivals in the race to succeed David Cameron, were both listing badly ā albeit they hadnāt quite run aground.
