Although we are now at the beginning of a new calendar year we are in the last quarter of the current tax year.
Whether you are a business person, property landlord or pay significant amounts of tax as an employed or retired person there is now a short window of opportunity to examine your likely earnings for the 2013-14 tax year and, more importantly, see what can be done to minimise those liabilities.
It is impossible to outline all of the possible tax planning issues that could be of benefit. We have listed below a few and would suggest that you give us a call to discuss your individual circumstances.
- Have you maximised your ISA investments this year?
- Have you maximised your pension contributions?
- If possible have you utilised your Capital Gains Tax personal exemption? Currently £10,900 for 2013-14.
- If your employer still pays for the private fuel used in your company car you can effectively avoid the car fuel benefit charge if you repay your employer for the private fuel before the end of the tax year. It may be worth crunching the numbers as the tax on the benefit in kind is expensive and the private fuel refund may be less.
- For Inheritance Tax purposes each person can give £250 a year to any number of recipients, as well as £3,000 annually over and above that amount. They can also make regular gifts out of their income (not capital) that should fall to be exempt.
- If you are married or in a Civil Partnership and one partner/spouse has a much lower level of earned income, consider transferring income producing assets to the lower income earner. With Income Tax rates at a maximum 45% this current tax year, savings could be significant.
- If you or your partner/spouse are affected by the Child Benefit claw back for high income earners, have you considered equalising your income (if possible) to avoid the charge, or have you considered your obligation to file a Self Assessment tax return to disclose your liability?
- If your income is likely to exceed £100,000 this tax year have you considered the potential reduction or loss of your personal tax allowance?
- If you are a high income earner paying tax at the 45% additional rate could you take advantage of charitable donations reliefs or other planning opportunities to defer, reduce or eliminate the impact the 45% rate?
- Is it likely you will have business tax losses for 2013-14?
As indicated above every person’s circumstances are different and the above list is by no means exhaustive. Please call if you would like to organise a review of your tax planning opportunities for 2013-14.
