Author Archives: bottingv2

New support measures for mortgage holders

Support measures have been agreed for those struggling with, or anxious about, their mortgage repayments. A new mortgage charter was approved following a meeting of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the UK’s principal mortgage lenders and the Financial Conduct Authority. Three of the key measures Anyone concerned can talk to their bank or their mortgage […]

Gift Aid tax benefits

The Gift Aid scheme, which was originally introduced in 1990, allows charities to reclaim from HMRC the basic rate of Income Tax deducted from qualifying donations by UK taxpayers. This means that when a basic rate taxpayer claims gift aid on a £10 donation, the charity can reclaim from HMRC the £2.50 of tax paid […]

Deadline to top-up National Insurance contributions extended

In certain circumstances it can be beneficial to make voluntary National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to increase your entitlement to benefits, including the State or New State Pension. Usually, HMRC allows you to pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 tax years. The deadline is 5 April each year. However, there is currently an opportunity for […]

HMRC tax credits scam warning

Fraudsters often try to take advantage of the 31 July deadline for submitting tax credits renewal information. The fraudulent emails, texts or calls claim to be from HMRC and often promise money back in the form of a tax rebate together with a click-through link to a replica of the HMRC website. The fraudsters then […]

Businesses driving with handbrake on amid skills shortage

The Education Secretary has claimed businesses are ‘driving with the handbrake on’ without the right skills. Gillian Keegan, who was speaking last week at the Government’s Business Connect Skills for Growth conference, said: “I know from my years in business that organisations drive innovation and create opportunities, but without skilled workers, it often feels like […]