The Great British Tax Grab
- and six ways to prepare against it First the very good news Reading this and acting accordingly will save you money in the coming year! That’s because, in just a few months (April 2018) the tax-free dividend allowance is going to be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000....
Just because the markets change, you shouldn’t follow.
Back in December I wrote a blog regarding my Top 10 Investment tips. A blog designed to give you a guide to investing in the stock market and, more importantly, some practical advice on how to swerve some of the more avoidable traps that can lay in wait. My Top 10...
The psychological science behind our unique approach to your finances
Psychology is a wonderful thing and a little application of some of the science that sits behind all the great psychological theories can pay dividends in your financial life too. Allow me to explain. Accordion to scientific studies, 90% of people do not realise I...
A New Year and a New Financial You
Happy 2018! It’s that time of year again, when we all make our New Year’s resolutions. Whilst I can’t help you with getting fit, quitting smoking or learning the piano, I can certainly help with any resolutions you may have made regarding getting your finances in a...
A little insight into the great investment question
Can we really beat the Markets? Over the years, and because of the vast sums of money involved, top investment companies, governments, national banks and academics have carefully studied the investment markets. Consequently there is a vast body of research out there...
The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2017
Following a turbulent few months across The Palace of Westminster, with a call for more spending and a more aggressive approach to growing the economy, the Chancellor’s budget was largely seen as a business as usual approach, albeit within the ever-present shadow of...
Making sense of Capital Gains Tax and your Property 2017 – 2018
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a complex area to dip into, so here I’ve tried to give a brief explanation for the normal situations that many of us face, broken down into the following sections: When you don’t have to pay Capital Gains Tax When you are eligible to pay...
The Rate Rise is here – but what does it mean?
Well we all new it was coming, but what now? What does the first interest rate rise for more than a decade mean for you? Despite the fact that it’s a small increase from 0.25% to 0.5% it will have an immediate impact on UK households and businesses. On one hand it...
Record High Transfer Values
Final Salary Pensions, Hurry Whilst Shocks Last! Well here’s something that doesn’t happen that often. The turmoil in the financial markets is actually presenting an interesting opportunity – and even Brexit may have had a hand in generating this particular happy...
Do you know the current position of your Defined Benefit Pension?
I only ask because things have changed quite dramatically recently. In fact, according to PwC, the combined deficit of defined benefit pension funds in the UK is currently standing at a whopping £460bn. It doesn’t seem to be calming down either, with PwC chief actuary...
The MPAA (Money Purchase Annual Allowance) and what it means for you
One pre-election promise that’s here to stay Despite dropping the clause reducing the MPAA from £10,000 to £4,000 on 25 April 2017, in order to help get the Finance Bill 2017 to come into force before Parliament dissolves on 3 May, the Government did promise that it...
Don’t make a Snap Decision as a result of the Snap Election!
Have you settled down after the election yet? I think it’s fair to say that the shock General Election returned a huge shock of a result, no matter what you political affiliations. The political correspondents are really earning their money at the moment and the TV...
Elections and Referendums
Just when you think you’ve seen enough of elections and referendums, they’re starting to appear like busses. Here we all go again! It seems like only yesterday that David Cameron and Ed Miliband were battling for the keys of Number 10. Then, just as we all got our...
Lifetime ISA (LISA)
There’s been a great deal of talk recently about the launch on April 6th this year of the Lifetime ISA (LISA). So, I thought it would be very worth while to provide you with a quick overview of what exactly a LISA is, how they best work and who they work best for....
Article 50 and Your Finances
After nine months the UK has delivered. These words are what European Council President Donald Tusk posted on Twitter when he received Britain's article 50 letter on Wednesday. We will not join the media in speculations whether the letter was "aggressive" or...
Tax Year End Planning Checklist
With three weeks left until the tax year end, it's time to review your finances and check whether there are any actions you can take to make your current and future tax position as efficient as possible. As every year the key date is 5 April, and as always we provide...
Spring Budget 2017
Spring Budget 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his Budget speech on Wednesday 8th March 2017. It did not contain as many surprises or major changes as some of George Osborne's Budgets in the last years, but there were a few (mostly unfavourable) points worth...
Lifetime Allowance Protection Deadline Is Approaching
With almost two months left, there is still plenty of time for the usual tax year end optimisation tasks (we will provide detailed guidelines at the beginning of March). However, this year's 5 April also marks the deadline for Lifetime Allowance Individual Protection...
Inheritance Tax Planning and the New Main Residence Nil-Rate Band
Effective from 6 April 2017, a new main residence nil-rate band (RNRB) will be available on top of the existing inheritance tax (IHT) threshold. It can potentially save tens of thousands in IHT, but at the same time, compared to the existing IHT threshold it is...
Start the New Year with a Financial Health Check
New Year is a perfect time for a complete review of your finances. Run through all your financial arrangements, like investments, pension, insurance plans and bank accounts. The following checklist may help. Setting Goals and Budgeting Finances are a popular area...
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