HLAS

This government has introduced a mortgage guarantee scheme. The scheme is open to new 95% mortgages until 31 December 2022, with participating lenders offering 95% mortgages under the government guarantee from 19 April 2021. The idea is to support a new generation in realising home ownership. The scheme will increase the availability of 95% Loan-to-value mortgage products, enabling more households to access mortgages without the need for large deposits. See:  The mortgage guarantee scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

As the lockdown gradually eases, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicators for the UK economy and society show some positive news about the reopening of the economy. Estimates for UK seated diner reservations on 12 April 2021 were at 79% of their level seen on the equivalent Monday of 2019. This is the first time the level has exceeded 2% since before the announcement of the latest lockdown in England on 4 January 2021 and coincides with the easing of hospitality restrictions in England on 12 April 2021. Total UK online job adverts on 9 April 2021 equalled [...]

What you need to know about charity accounts Charities are spectacularly selfless. Though it’s tough to think of them as businesses, that’s what they are! And like any business, they must follow the accounting framework set out by the government’s charity commission to ensure their income, assets, and tax is recorded and observed. Here are 5 ways you can prepare your charity commission accounts, with or without the help of charity accountants: 1. Join the HMRC charity registration Any charitable organisation can register their details with HM Revenue and Customs’ charity registration https://www.gov.uk/charity-recognition-hmrc By doing so, it means your charity [...]

The advantages of using QuickBooks, and how QuickBooks can help your business At Harris Lacey and Swain, we are constantly thinking of ways to make life easier when it comes to managing your expenses, earnings, and other business figures. In recent years, we’ve introduced QuickBooks to our clients. It’s quicker, easier, and cheaper than traditional methods of accounting. Download and Read on to learn the A-Z of QuickBooks, and why our clients couldn’t imagine coping without it.

Making Accounting Quicker, Easier and more Affordable for small businesses... Caroline Latus, Managing Director of Burst Creatives, has been a client of Harris Lacey and Swain Chartered Accountants for 4 years now. Caroline's husband recommended them after he'd received professional, friendly, and approachable service from his accountants there. He was impressed with the service received since hiring Harris Lacey and Swain to work on his multiple health business accounts; especially his personal accountant, Richard Tucker. Caroline had just launched her web design & marketing agency and needed to find an accountant she could trust to deal with her small business [...]

The Treasury normally issue a bundle of tax consultation documents on Budget Day. This year however they chose to delay the publication until 3 weeks after the Budget. We were expecting the consultation documents to include major changes to CGT and IHT, but it would appear that these have yet again been delayed. The Treasury have accepted a number of recommendations by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) on simplifying IHT reporting. From 1 January 2022 over 90 per cent of non-taxpaying estates each year will no longer have to complete IHT forms for deaths when probate is required. The [...]

In the March Budget it was announced that the normal one year carry back for trading losses would be extended to three years. This means that many businesses that have made losses during the COVID-19 pandemic may be able to obtain a repayment of tax paid in that three-year period. This enhanced carry back applies to unincorporated businesses as well as limited companies and the details are set out in the latest Finance Bill. For corporation tax purposes the loss-making accounting period must end between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022 to qualify for the three year carry back. [...]

In the Budget on 3rd March the Chancellor announced a new 130% tax relief for expenditure on new plant and machinery incurred between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023. It turns out that this new tax relief is only available to limited companies and the latest Finance Bill reveals a nasty sting in the tail when the equipment is sold, as the clawback on disposal is potentially at the same 130% rate. So, if a new item of plant cost £100,000 the company would be able to deduct £130,000 in arriving at taxable profits thus saving £24,700 in corporation [...]