Articles & Insights (Index)

11th November 2022

‘Tis the season to be tax savvy – 5 Christmas party tax breaks you need to know 

With the festive season fast approaching, it’s time to start planning your Christmas celebrations. Last year the pandemic forced many businesses to cancel their Christmas…

4th November 2022

Charity Trustees Roundtable write up – the view of the Regulator

We were delighted to be joined by Will Lifford, Board Member at the Charity Commission, at our recent Charity Trustee Roundtable where the group discussion…

4th November 2022

Trust registration service – what you need to know following the 1 September deadline

Article written by Marc Brinklow, Trust Manager As a quick recap, the Trust Registration Service (“TRS”) is an online system managed by HMRC, which requires…

27th October 2022

What you need to know about the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

On 28 February 2022, two months after signing the UK-Australia free trade agreement, the UK signed a free trade agreement with New Zealand, aiming to…

18th October 2022

Director’s loans: what you should know about potential tax liabilities

Borrowing money is often attached to a host of financial complexities, and there are various questions you should be asking before entering a loan agreement.…

18th October 2022

Six areas for Finance Directors to consider at the start of a new academic year

As we start a new university academic year, finance directors and senior management teams will have a lot on their minds in an ever-changing and…

17th October 2022

Mini-budget measures reversed – summary of changes

The Chancellor has reversed almost all measures announced in September’s “mini budget”. Summary of changes: The basic rate of income tax will remain at 20p…

11th October 2022

Building a Partnership Approach to Greening the NHS

A guest article from Dean Rogers, Executive Director of Industrial Strategy and Member Relations, The Society of Radiographers. Some problems look insurmountable, but we can’t…

23rd September 2022

“Mini” Budget + Milestone Tax changes to be aware of [UPDATED]

The Chancellor has announced his “mini” Budget – 6 months on since the March Budget and there are some milestone tax changes to be aware…

23rd September 2022

Mini Budget – Initial reactions and commentary from HW Fisher’s Partners

The new Chancellor has announced his ‘mini-budget’, setting out the Government’s economic policy to combat the cost of living crisis and recession affecting business and…

22nd September 2022

Government mini budget – Expectations from HW Fisher

Commentary on National Insurance from Stevie Heafford “As predicted, the new Chancellor has reversed the 1.25% rise in National Insurance Contributions originally introduced by Rishi…

14th September 2022

Tackling inflation from a personal tax perspective

Article written by Daniel Tomassen, Senior Manager of the Private Client Department.  The Office for National Statistics put the rate of inflation in the UK…

14th September 2022

What are the tax implications of the Covid pandemic?

Whilst international travel has now resumed to a level of normality, the various travel restrictions implemented during the Covid pandemic will have a long-lasting effect.…

13th September 2022

What you need to know about the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement

In December 2021, the UK and Australia signed a Free Trade Agreement. The first ‘new’ trade deal signed since Brexit has been badged as world-class…

8th September 2022

HW Fisher calls for tax reforms to alleviate the ‘cost of giving’ crisis on UK charities

Charities in the UK are facing a growing number of pressures in response to the cost of living crisis. Not only are they starting to…

6th September 2022

How can universities play a strong role in positively sculpting the climate agenda?

At our recent University Chair of Audit Committee roundtable, we were joined by Professor Susan Lea, former Vice Chancellor at the University of Hull where…

5th September 2022

HMRC’s extended use of ‘nudge’ letters

HMRC’s ‘nudge letters’ are specifically worded letters to prompt a response from the recipient.  In a previous article, we outlined what you need to know…

30th August 2022

Trust Registration Service – what you need to know ahead of September 2022 deadline

(UPDATED AUGUST 2022) In September, the Trust Registration Service (TRS) finally opened for the registration of non-taxable trusts. As a quick recap, the regulations were…

26th August 2022

Outlook on the UK property market for overseas investors

The UK property market has seen significant changes since the start of the calendar year with new regulations and macroeconomic factors bringing a variety of…

22nd August 2022

Changes to VAT assessments for overseas online marketplace traders

Coming into effect from September 2022, HMRC have announced that they will be changing the way they carry out VAT assessments for overseas traders who…

18th August 2022

The Register of Overseas Entities: what you need to know

There is less than 6 months until the deadline for the Register of Overseas Entities On the 1 August 2022 the UK’s Register of Overseas…

17th August 2022

Crypto – all is not lost

During the pandemic years, the world of cryptocurrencies and digital investments reached dizzying new heights in both popularity and monetary value. Everyone from serial entrepreneurs…

12th August 2022

Hosting on Airbnb – The tax implications you need to consider in 2022

The travel industry has faced turmoil this summer, with baggage claims flooding airports, strikes, and miles-long lines at the port of Dover with people making…

12th August 2022

What you need to know when running a Furnished Holiday Let

The prime month for summer holidays has arrived, so if you own and run a Furnished Holiday Let (FHL), or you are looking to start…

2nd August 2022

Money is good, love is wealth: Finance tips for influencers

Monday night’s Love Island finale introduces a host of new influencers to the social scene – Here’s what they need to know about managing their…

28th July 2022

National Insurance payments have changed – 5 things you need to know

In April, National Insurance (NI) endured an increase of 1.25% – from 12% to 13.25%. This decision was partly made to ensure that enough money…

28th July 2022

No gain/ No loss: divorce rule changes

Divorcing couples are now given more time to transfer assets under “No Gain/ No Loss” rules The Government have recently announced proposals to change the…

28th July 2022

Cost of living crisis: 3 alternative options to a pay rise

Cost of living crisis: 3 alternative options to a pay rise Rising inflation in the UK is creating a situation in which the cost of…

27th July 2022

The impacts of rising inflation: the effect on financial statements

Financial statements look at historical information, thus rising inflation can quickly make the information contained in them increasingly irrelevant. It is, therefore, even more important…

26th July 2022

Calling all property investors – lessons learnt from the Haymarket Media Group Limited v HMRC [2022] case

Calling all property investors – lessons learnt from the Haymarket Media Group Limited v HMRC [2022] case Calling all property investors/developers – the recent First…

26th July 2022

The second ‘payments on account’ deadline is this week – What self-employed taxpayers need to know

The second ‘payments on account’ deadline is this week – What self-employed taxpayers need to know London, 26th July 2022 – The second ‘payments on…

12th July 2022

Top reasons to invest in the UK

Top reasons to invest in the UK According to the World Bank’s “Doing Business Guide 2020”, the UK ranked number 8 globally for the ease…

5th July 2022

Charity VAT Alert: Update to business v’s non business activities for VAT purposes

On 1 June 2022, HMRC published Revenue and Customs Brief 10 (2022) outlining their change of policy when determining whether an activity is a business…

30th June 2022

Changes to National Insurance Contributions – will you be better off?

National insurance (NI) is a tax which contributes towards benefits and pensions, covering everything from job seekers allowance to maternity leave payments. The amount you pay depends upon…

30th June 2022

Developing a coaching culture in the workplace

First published in Charities Management on June 28th 2022   “We know that truly diverse organisations have increased innovation and they have higher levels of retention. We…

30th June 2022

Powering the UK: HW Fisher calls on the Government to do more to maintain the UK as an attractive place for international investment

Inward investment makes a significant contribution to the UK economy – beyond job creation and wages through to productivity gains and fostering innovation, research and…

30th June 2022

Celebrating the UK’s first Social Mobility Awareness Day

First published in Accountancy Today on June 24th 2022   Last week saw the UK’s first Social Mobility Awareness Day, a day designed to improve…

22nd June 2022

Not For Profit Sector: Month in Review

Carol Rudge, Partner & Head of Not for Profit (NFP) at HW Fisher, provides an update on some of the top reports, news, and events…

31st May 2022

Meet the team – Tanya Craft

Tanya Craft has recently been promoted to Director, Corporate Finance. Tanya first joined HW Fisher’s audit department back in 2011 as part of a three-year…

20th May 2022

Divorce – make sure your tax affairs are in order

From April 2022, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 has reformed the divorce process to remove the concept of fault. Couples are now able…

20th May 2022

Reminder: Annual tax on enveloped dwellings – calculate the value of your property

Annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) is an annual tax payable mainly by companies that own UK residential property valued at more than £500,000. The…

18th May 2022

HW Fisher announces latest round of promotions as part of continued growth

HW Fisher, a UK top 30 audit and advisory firm, today announces the latest expansion of its senior leadership team to support the firm’s continued growth.…

10th May 2022

HMRC’s use of ‘nudge’ letters – what do you need to know

HMRC has begun issuing further batches of nudge letters to taxpayers.  HMRC has used what has become known as ‘nudge’ letters since 2017 , designed…

5th May 2022

Charity Trustee Roundtable – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

“I was reading an article which was talking about belonging and that diversity and inclusion aren’t what matter anymore, but belonging is what counts. And…

3rd May 2022

How can Not for Profit organisations best manage their contracts and royalty agreements?

Many Not for Profit organisations are increasingly working with third parties to fulfil their organisational needs and services. For example, areas such as catering, branded…

26th April 2022

HW Fisher’s reaction to Labour’s pledge to replace ‘non-dom’ tax rules

Tim Walford-Fitzgerald, Partner, shares his thoughts about the announcement from the Labour Party to replace ‘non-dom’ tax rules. The practical impact of the changes are…

20th April 2022

VAT Update from HW Fisher

Gerry Myton and Mike Block explain the latest updates and rulings affecting VAT.  Read more on the latest news from HMRC, key takeaways from recent…

12th April 2022

Tax Implications of the Covid Pandemic

While international travel has now started to open up, the various travel restrictions put in place during the COVID pandemic mean that some individuals found…

11th April 2022

Insights from our Higher Education Chair of Audit Committee Roundtable

Higher Education Chair of Audit Roundtable – February 2022 – the current HE landscape At our recent Chair of Audit Committee roundtable, we were joined…

6th April 2022

Not for Profit sector: A month in review

Carol Rudge, Partner & Head of Not for Profit (NFP) at HW Fisher provides an update on some of the top reports, news, and events…

6th April 2022

Tips for elevating positive impact

Charities are mission-driven by definition: delivering on their charitable objectives is embedded into their DNA.  We all know that charities do incredible game changing work. …

6th April 2022

VAT update on charities that provide accommodation

The recent tribunal hearing in the case of City YMCA London v HMRC could have important implications for charities that provide accommodation. If you provide…

6th April 2022

What do unions need to be thinking about in 2022?

Unions 21 is a forum for unions to come together to explore our shared challenges and to look at practical projects and ideas to build…

5th April 2022

New tax year: 10 changes that could impact your personal finances

As the 2021-22 tax year draws to a close, a lot of people have been wondering exactly when the current tax year ends and the…

24th March 2022

Spring Statement: 5 key takeaways

The Chancellor has announced his ‘mini-budget’ – here are our five key takeaways and initial thoughts so far. 1. Income tax Key takeaway: Basic rate…

22nd March 2022

If I were Chancellor for a day…

HW Fisher outlines some quick wins for The Chancellor to consider ahead of the Spring Statement this week… Reduce fuel duty costs “The proportion of…

11th March 2022

VAT Update from HW Fisher

In this month’s VAT Update Gerry Myton and Mike Block bring the latest updates from the world of VAT! Read on for more updates, information…

8th March 2022

How our partners are working to #BreakTheBias against women in the workplace

This International Women’s Day, we asked our partners how they’re working to break the bias for women in the workplace. From small changes to make…

16th February 2022

Building your own Grand Design? VAT implications you must be aware of

The DIY House Builders VAT scheme allows people who build their own homes to reclaim the VAT incurred on their building costs, but not professional…

27th January 2022

VAT Update from HW Fisher

In this month’s VAT Update Gerry Myton and Mike Block bring the latest updates from HMRC including the summary of responses from HMRC’s call to…

27th January 2022

Plastic Packaging Tax: What you need to know

A new tax, Plastic Packaging Tax (“PPT”), is being introduced in the UK with effect from 01 April 2022 aimed at reducing single use plastic…

21st January 2022

Hosting on Airbnb: tax tips on the house

The Airbnb market in the UK is booming. Before the pandemic there was over 223 thousand active listings on Airbnb in the UK. If you’re…

22nd December 2021

Property market 2022: changing tax legislation to be aware of

This year has been one of the busiest for the housing market in more than a decade. According to Zoopla, estimates show that there will…

21st December 2021

Making Disclosures to HMRC

HMRC believes that taxpayers want to pay the right amount of tax and wants to help those taxpayers that are not paying the correct amount…

14th December 2021

Tax Issues Affecting the Not-For-Profit Sector – HW Fisher Expert Webinar

We recently held a webinar on tax matters for Finance Directors and Finance Teams at Not for Profit organisations. Specifically we focussed on: • A…

13th December 2021

Opportunities and Challenges in 2022

As we enter 2022, we continue to adapt to the new reality that is emerging in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. There are both…

13th December 2021

VAT Update from HW Fisher

In this month’s VAT Update Gerry Myton and Mike Block bring the latest updates from HMRC – including brief guidance on the Plastic Packaging Tax,…

8th December 2021

How Universities can maximise the revenues generated from their intellectual property (IP) and save expenditure on their contracts

Revenues – royalty audit A number of universities hold patents that secure their intellectual property rights, whether it be in the field of technology, pharmaceuticals…

30th November 2021

Thoughts from our HE Chair of Audit roundtable in 2021

At our November HE Chair of Audit Committee roundtable, we were very lucky to be joined by Karel Thomas, Executive Director of the British Universities…

30th November 2021

Making sense of Students’ Union regulation

There’s a recent Twitter meme where the bland trips that men would take if time travel was possible are pilloried. My own journey would be…

30th November 2021

Charity Trustees Virtual Meeting on Digital

At our October Charity Trustees virtual meeting, we were joined by Zoe Amar, a charity digital specialist who took our audience through the findings from…

29th November 2021

How to avoid late penalties when filing your tax returns

The online self-assessment deadline, is the 31st January 2022. However, HMRC has announced that they are waiving late penalties until the 28th February. But, this…

25th November 2021

Not for Profit sector – A month in review

In this month’s digest Carol Rudge provides an update on some of the top articles, reports, news, and events for Not for Profit (NFP) organisations.…

21st November 2021

All we want for Christmas is a tax-free party

With the festive season just around the corner, employers are looking to reward their staff following a year of hard work, whilst embracing the festivities.…

16th November 2021

VAT Update from HW Fisher

Despite the Chancellor’s Autumn 2021 statement proving to be very light on changes to the UK’s VAT system, we are glad to present the following…

15th November 2021

Electric Cars – how can you benefit from the OZEV Government grant scheme?

In February 2021, the UK Government announced an updated OZEV grant scheme that sees £50 million devoted to installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points at…

12th November 2021

Meet the Team: Andrew Rich, Managing Partner

Andrew Rich is the firm’s Managing Partner, working with the Leadership Team and Partners to help provide clients with the expert, personable advice that HW…

9th November 2021

COP26 – Driving profit and purpose

While the hype around COP26 could be seen as all noise and no action, there is a real opportunity to reflect and consider how we…

28th October 2021

Autumn Budget 2021 Summary

This was a Budget set against a backdrop of the national debt. According to the ONS, the UK Government gross debt was £2.2 trillion at…

25th October 2021

A message to the Chancellor: bring back British fighting spirit for businesses

The Autumn Budget is taking place on 27 October 2021 with Rishi Sunak setting out the Government’s spending and financial strategy. He is expected to…

22nd October 2021

Musicians Union – Case Study

We’re proud to work with some fantastic clients and we love to celebrate the brilliant work they are doing.  We spoke to the Musicians’ Union…

20th October 2021

The HMRC policy of ‘naming & shaming’

You may or may not be aware of this, but HMRC publishes the names of deliberate tax defaulters on their website. This is commonly referred…

19th October 2021

Recovery Loan Scheme: What you need to know

Update (29th October 2021): During the Autumn Budget 2021, the Chancellor announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme would be extended until 30 June 2022. From…

29th September 2021

Meet the team – Jamie Morrison

Jamie Morrison leads our tax team at HW Fisher, working in the UK and Asia with private clients, entrepreneurs and family offices. We asked Jamie…

29th September 2021

Meet the team – Toby Ryland

Toby Ryland leads the corporate tax and VAT division at HW Fisher. With over 20 years’ experience Toby works with a wide range of clients…

29th September 2021

VAT Update from HW Fisher

This month Gerry Myton and Mike Block bring the latest updates from HMRC – including their guidance on the VAT liability of COVID-19 testing services…

28th September 2021

New EU-commerce package for non-EU businesses – what do you need to know?

The EU introduced its e-commerce package on 01 July, including a new IOSS Registration for non-EU businesses. Who is affected? The IOSS allows non-EU businesses…

28th September 2021

National Insurance Tax Rise

Commenting on the recent hike to National Insurance announced this month by the Prime Minister, Tim Walford-Fitzgerald says “The imposition of a social care levy…

23rd September 2021

Business Strategy: Insights for Charities

‘Strategy’ is one of the most mis-used and grand sounding words in our business language.  After all, “What’s our strategy for dealing with this?” sounds…

23rd September 2021

Brexit: Tips and Recommendations for Charities

We are now nine months into the UK’s trading life outside the European Union (EU). Leaving the EU has resulted in some major changes particularly…

23rd September 2021

Why having a coach is a great privilege

I was inspired to train as a coach through having a truly inspirational coach myself. But before I talk more about that, I think it…

15th September 2021

How Residence is Defined and its Implications on Individual Income Tax in China and the UK: Q&A

By Jie Su and Maria Kotova Individual income tax (IIT) is a very important part of payroll management. In both China and the UK, the tax treatment for…

15th September 2021

The future of streaming – is it hitting the right note for artists?

The global recorded music market grew by 7.4% in 2020, the sixth consecutive year of growth according to IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded…

9th September 2021

Not For Profit sector – A month in review

This month’s digest provides an update on some of the top articles, reports, news, and events for Not for Profit (NFP) organisations. Carol Rudge shares…

2nd September 2021

Money is good, love is wealth: Finance tips for influencers

Love Island, the British summer TV hit, has traditionally been an influencer accelerator for the contestants that enter the villa each year. As their social…

27th August 2021

Meet Harriet Swinson, ACA Audit Trainee at HW Fisher

Have you ever wondered what’s involved in an ACA Trainee scheme? Harriet Swinson, a trainee in our Audit team, explains why she chose this specific career…

24th August 2021

Will I face a furlough enquiry?

Are you one of the 1.3 million employers who claimed Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) monies from HMRC from March 2020 as a result of…

19th August 2021

Meet the team – Gerry Myton

Gerry Myton leads our indirect taxation team and specialises in not only VAT, but also duty matters. He began his career with Her Majesty’s Customs…

19th August 2021

Get Ahead – VAT Update

In this monthly digest, Gerry Myton brings the latest updates from HMRC – including their recent business brief offering guidance on the repayment of VAT…