Visit/520306/self-assessment-dont-miss-the-deadline-for-online-tax-returns
Self-assessment: don’t miss the deadline for online tax returns
If you are self-employed, rent out a property or earn income from savings, investments and dividends, you need to fill in a tax return. And the deadli…
13 Jan 2020
Visit/519469/get-your-business-ready-for-ir35
Get your business ready for IR35
IR35 – the tax rules distinguishing freelancers from employees – are getting tougher. Here's how to make sure our business can cope.
18 Dec 2019
Visit/519618/why-the-conservative-victory-is-good-news-for-investors
Why the Conservative victory is good news for investors
The Conservatives' election victory is a big deal, says John Stepek. Markets have bounced and the pound has surged. Here's what it all means for the e…
13 Dec 2019
Visit/519094/why-the-gig-economy-means-nations-will-soon-find-taxation-more-taxing
Why the gig economy means nations will soon find taxation more taxing
The world of work is changing as the gig economy – and the self-employed themselves – go global. That will leave a big hole in countries’ coffers, say…
6 Dec 2019
Visit/519223/how-can-we-raise-more-money-in-tax
What are the best ways of raising more money in tax?
Given that whoever wins next week's election will be going on a massive spending spree, we're going to need to raise at least some of that money throu…
5 Dec 2019
Visit/518997/what-level-of-income-really-makes-you-rich
What level of income really makes you “rich”?
The one-percent club may not be quite as exclusive as you think, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Many people can drift in and out throughout their lives.
2 Dec 2019
Visit/518855/weve-got-plenty-of-taxation-but-not-much-representation
We've got plenty of taxation – but not much representation
The last century has seen government proliferate to unprecedented levels. The state now owns as much of a worker’s labour as a feudal lord, says Domin…
29 Nov 2019
Visit/518715/what-are-the-biggest-mistakes-investors-make-when-it-comes-to-tax
What are the biggest mistakes investors make when it comes to tax?
The tax implications of an investment are something we rarely consider until after the event. That could prove to be an expensive mistake, says Domini…
27 Nov 2019
Visit/518618/labours-tax-proposals-and-what-they-mean-for-your-money
Labour’s tax proposals and what they mean for your money
Nimesh Shah, partner at accountants and tax consultants Blick Rothenberg, outlines the Labour Party's tax proposals, and explains how they might affec…
27 Nov 2019
Visit/518400/taxation-explains-britains-history
What explains Britain’s history? In a word: tax
Taxation may not seem a compelling subject for a book, but levies such as the Corn Laws have proved pivotal in shaping our story, says Dominic Frisby.
22 Nov 2019
Visit/517964/dont-squeeze-our-entrepreneurs
Don’t squeeze our entrepreneurs with higher taxes
Britain’s entrepreneurs and business innovators get generous tax breaks. They should keep getting them.
17 Nov 2019
Visit/517778/the-return-of-the-wealth-tax
The return of the wealth tax
The changing political climate, particularly in the US, has put the idea of wealth taxes back on the agenda. But does this make economic sense?
9 Nov 2019
Visit/516958/a-final-salary-pensions-muddle
A final-salary pensions muddle
People saving into a final-salary pension scheme who are receiving compensation for past discrimination may end up with big tax bills.
30 Oct 2019
Visit/517222/why-are-charities-not-spending-the-money-theyve-raised
Why are charities not spending the money they’ve raised?
Rather than spend their donors’ money on charitable causes, a huge number of charities are hoarding cash and investing it. They should be spending it …
29 Oct 2019
Visit/516915/the-future-of-money-is-borderless-and-difficult-to-tax
The future of money is borderless – and difficult to tax
Borderless money was once the norm, says Dominic Frisby. We used it for centuries before the era of the nation state. And as the physical economy dema…
23 Oct 2019
Visit/516631/scotland-is-taxing-itself-to-death
Scotland is taxing itself to death
The authorities in Scotland are undermining the economy’s appeal. They had better watch out, says Matthew Lynn.
20 Oct 2019
Visit/516603/how-tax-has-shaped-the-course-of-human-history
How tax has shaped the course of human history
Taxation is as old as civilisation itself. But how much is too much? Dominic Frisby looks at how taxation, war and society have evolved together over …
16 Oct 2019
Visit/516479/one-example-of-the-madness-of-our-inheritance-tax-rules
One example of the madness of our inheritance tax rules
Our system of inheritance tax is needlessly complicated, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Here, she outlines one way in which the well-off could save over £…
14 Oct 2019
Visit/515260/doctors-pension-row-spreads-to-other-arms-of-the-public-sector
Doctors’ pension row spreads to other arms of the public sector
The crisis that has seen doctors refuse to take on extra shifts has spread to other public sector workers.
25 Sep 2019
Visit/515555/labours-plans-for-non-doms-could-prove-costly
Labour’s plans for non-doms could prove costly for the UK
The Labour Party has said that in its first Budget it would abolish non-domiciled status. But non-doms do pay tax, and they do have a choice where the…
24 Sep 2019
Visit/514391/buy-to-let-landlords-and-labours-right-to-buy
Think the Tories were tough on landlords? Just wait for Labour’s “right-to-buy”
The Labour Party is mulling giving private tenants the right to buy the homes they are renting. Yet another good reason for investors to steer well cl…
4 Sep 2019
Visit/513932/the-pensions-annual-allowance-debacle-spreads-beyond-the-nhs
The pensions annual allowance debacle spreads beyond the NHS
The annual allowance that has wreaked havoc in the NHS has spread to the armed forces – and is a perfect example of how higher taxes can actually redu…
29 Aug 2019
Visit/512766/why-we-need-an-honest-taxation-policy
Why we need an honest taxation policy
Our tax system has become complicated and bloated. Trimming it would make it easier to understand, and boost the economy.
8 Aug 2019
Visit/511268/freelance-workers-face-ir35-tax-trap
Freelance workers face IR35 tax trap
New IR35 tax rules governing “disguised employment” will hit firms and freelance workers.
24 Jul 2019
Visit/511324/us-tech-giants-face-a-new-tax-on-revenues
US tech companies face a new tax on revenues
American technology companies make billions, yet pay pennies in tax. New levies in France and Britain seek to change that. But will they work as inten…
20 Jul 2019
Visit/510695/prepare-for-big-changes-to-inheritance-tax
Prepare for big changes to inheritance tax
Inheritance tax – Britain’s most detested tax – is set for an overhaul.
17 Jul 2019
Visit/510615/when-to-top-up-your-national-insurance
When to top up your national insurance to boost your state pension
If your national insurance contributions fall short of getting you a full state pension, you can make voluntary top-up contributions.
14 Jul 2019
Visit/510773/boris-johnson-and-the-sugar-tax
Boris Johnson and the sugar tax
Our probable new prime minister wants to scrap the levy on sugary drinks introduced by some of his predecessors. Would that be a good move?
13 Jul 2019
Visit/510756/inheritance-tax-just-abolish-the-entire-thing
Inheritance tax: just abolish the entire thing
Why not abolish inheritance tax and replace it with a gift tax on the recipients of unearned cash – wherever it comes from?
11 Jul 2019
Visit/510114/how-to-duck-the-higher-rate-of-stamp-duty
How to duck the higher rate of stamp duty
The higher rate of stamp duty on second properties comes with several exceptions, says Sarah Moore. Here's what they are.
10 Jul 2019
Visit/510516/how-the-annual-allowance-for-pension-contributions-is-crippling-the-nhs
How the pension contributions annual allowance is crippling the NHS
NHS doctors are responding to the perverse financial incentives of the pension contributions annual allowance scheme by just not doing any extra work.…
9 Jul 2019
Visit/510186/get-set-for-a-tory-party-spending-spree
Get set for a Tory Party spending spree
Both candidates for the Tory Party leadership could squander the fiscal restraint of the past few years. Emily Hohler reports.
5 Jul 2019
Visit/509317/labours-land-reform-proposals-are-a-case-of-putting-the-horse-before-the-cart
Labour’s land reform proposals are putting the cart before the horse
There is much to agree with in Labour’s report on land reform. But any new proposals will inevitably will just add another layer of tax and bureaucrac…
19 Jun 2019
Visit/485801/benefits-for-grandparents-babysitting
Grandparents allowances: make sure you claim pension benefits for babysitting
Many people may be missing out on future state pension benefits because they’re unaware of grandparents allowances that reward them for caring for you…
5 Jun 2019
Visit/507933/rd-tax-relief-capped-for-small-businesses
R&D tax relief capped for small businesses
Small businesses’ access to valuable tax relief when investing in research and development (R&D) could be curtailed by attempts to crack down on fraud…
4 Jun 2019
Visit/507790/how-to-insulate-your-wealth-from-a-corbyn-government
How to insulate your wealth from a Corbyn government
The European Parliamentary elections and PM Theresa May’s resignation have opened up a path to power for a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn, and…
30 May 2019
Visit/507277/millions-fall-foul-of-pensions-contributions-rule
Millions fall foul of pensions contributions rule
Almost a million savers could face punitive tax charges on their pension contributions because they have unwittingly triggered a substantial reduction…
29 May 2019
Visit/463616/the-best-ways-to-buy-and-sell-gold
The best ways to invest in gold
From ETFs and allocated accounts to sovereigns and Britannias, Dominic Frisby looks at some of the best ways to buy and sell gold.
17 May 2019
Visit/506504/hitting-the-pensions-cap-ceiling
What to do when you hit the pensions cap
High earners running up against pension caps should do their sums, says David Prosser.
13 May 2019
Visit/506660/why-ive-changed-my-mind-about-the-pension-savings-lifetime-allowance
Why I’ve changed my mind about the pension savings lifetime allowance
I used to think the lifetime pension savings allowance was a terrible idea, says Merryn Somerset Webb. I’ve changed my mind on that. But there are som…
13 May 2019
Visit/506552/how-to-prepare-for-a-corbyn-government
How to prepare for a Corbyn government
The real risk to your finances is not Brexit, says Merryn Somerset Webb, it's that the mismanagement of Brexit could lead to a Corbyn government. So h…
9 May 2019
Visit/505721/the-death-of-buy-to-let-property-is-a-useful-cautionary-tale-for-all-investors
The death of buy-to-let property is a useful cautionary tale for all investors
Investing in buy-to-let property was once a perfectly valid thing to do. But the government killed the market. John Stepek explains what investors sho…
25 Apr 2019
Visit/505367/when-does-it-make-sense-to-defer-your-state-pension
When does it make sense to defer your state pension?
If you can afford to put off taking your state pension, it may save you money in the long run, says David Prosser.
23 Apr 2019
Visit/503609/passing-on-your-pension-when-you-die
Passing on your pension when you die
Your pension can be a valuable part of inheritance-tax planning, says David Prosser.
3 Apr 2019
Visit/503919/parents-miss-out-on-tax-free-childcare
Parents are missing out on tax-free childcare
Take-up of the government’s new tax-free childcare scheme has been “dire” – ensure you claim what you can.
2 Apr 2019
Visit/503945/what-lorraine-kellys-tax-victory-means-for-freelancers-and-small-businesses
What Lorraine Kelly's tax victory means for freelancers and small businesses
Not all freelancers may be as lucky as “TV persona” Lorraine Kelly when dealing with HMRC. Check your IR35 status carefully, says David Prosser.
29 Mar 2019
Visit/503415/the-tax-havens-hoarding-billions
The tax havens hoarding billions
Tax havens have come under scrutiny as governments scramble to fill their coffers. What, if anything, should be done about them? Simon Wilson reports.
16 Mar 2019
Visit/503293/vcts-eis-and-seis-tax-relief-for-brave-investors
VCTs, EIS and SEIS: tax relief for brave investors
If you can stomach the risk involved in backing a company in its early stages, consider VCTs, the EIS and the SEIS. Generous tax breaks are on offer.
15 Mar 2019
Visit/503291/sipps-use-your-pension-tax-breaks
Sipps: use your pension tax breaks
It makes sense to exploit your Isa allowance, but don’t neglect your pension. Generous upfront tax relief makes occupational or personal schemes an ef…
15 Mar 2019