Latest News

VAT for Charities
VAT for Charities

Charity employees and trustees often assume that they receive an automatic VAT exemption on all goods and services that they buy/receive.  This is not the case and charities should understand the few concessions in the VAT legislation that can reduce their VAT bills....

Our tax and financial reporting service
Our tax and financial reporting service

Tired of administrative tax and accounting burdens? By combining our in-house expertise Hawsons can provide businesses with an all-around tax and financial reporting service. Hawsons are part of a global network of independent accountancy firms called HLB...

New Chancellor reverses most of the Mini-Budget tax cuts
New Chancellor reverses most of the Mini-Budget tax cuts

The new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has reversed many of the tax cuts announced by his predecessor, Kwasi Kwarteng, just last month in the Mini-Budget.  We have summarised the key changes below.   Corporation Tax The planned increase to corporation tax, from 19% to...

Easing of tax rules for divorcing couples
Easing of tax rules for divorcing couples

The Government has released draft legislation which will ease the tax rules for many divorcing couples from April 2023. The changes follow recommendations made by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) in May 2021.   What are the proposed changes to tax rules...

How to avoid penalties for Making Tax Digital for VAT?
How to avoid penalties for Making Tax Digital for VAT?

Filing VAT returns Businesses must file their VAT returns using functional compatible software.  Most businesses are doing this successfully, but those who do not may be charged a £400 penalty for each VAT return filed. Keeping records digitally Businesses must also...

Tax Rates and Allowances 2022/23
Tax Rates and Allowances 2022/23

Introduction We have summarised the key rates and allowances which are fundamental to our business and personal lives. We are sure that you will find them a useful point of reference and have set out below a few examples of how they can be used. Personal tax rates As...

What is the Postponed VAT Accounting system?
What is the Postponed VAT Accounting system?

The Postponed VAT Accounting (PIVA) system for imported goods was introduced on 1 January 2021 and allows VAT registered businesses to declare and, subject to the normal rules, reclaim import VAT on the same VAT return. This avoids VAT being paid to HMRC on import and...

Property tax: Second home loophole to end in April 2023
Property tax: Second home loophole to end in April 2023

Starting in April 2023 many second homeowners will not qualify to pay business rates rather than council tax. However, the good news is that if they can demonstrate that their properties are rented out as a self-catering holiday let for at least 70 days a year then...

Hawsons successfully settles VAT Case
Hawsons successfully settles VAT Case

We have successfully settled another VAT case and reduced the tax liability from over £4M to zero, for one of our clients. Our client, calculating and submitting their own VAT returns, had neglected to keep proper export evidence.  HMRC conducted a VAT visit and...

HMRC give self-assessment taxpayers one month waiver
HMRC give self-assessment taxpayers one month waiver

HMRC have announced that they will be waiving late filing and late payment penalties by one month for Self-Assessment taxpayers. This is to give them additional time to complete their 2020/21 tax return and pay any due tax if needed. However, HMRC are still...