HMRC has published details of businesses that have failed to comply with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.

HMRC is also advising that the published person may have changed their behaviour or no longer be based at the published address. Also that the business currently at the published address may have no connection with the published business, or may have the same name as the published business but could be under new, and completely different, management.

If you would like advice on anti-money laundering procedures please contact us.

Internet link: GOV.UK money laundering non-compliance

The government has launched a consultation on proposals to give senior NHS doctors and nurses access to more flexible pensions. The proposals aim to offer senior clinicians more control over their pensions growth.

The consultation follows reports that senior NHS clinicians pension tax charges are making them retire early or change their working habits. The Department of Health and Social Care estimates that a third of consultants and GPs may be turning down extra shifts because of how the NHS Pension Scheme interacts with the wider pension tax rules.

The new proposals are designed to allow those affected to have freedom to individually control how much their pension fund grows, allowing them to maximise the amount they can save without facing significant pension tax bills having breached limits on tax relief.

The new proposals include:

• a ‘flexible accrual’ option where scheme members can choose an accrual level in 10% increments
• the option to ‘fine tune’ pension growth towards the end of the scheme year, when total earnings are clearer.

The consultation closes on 1 November 2019.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

The government has announced that HMRC collected a record sum of £5.4 billion in inheritance tax (IHT) during the 2018/19 tax year.

The increase comes on the back of a 15% rise in the number of estates liable for IHT. Between 2015/16 and 2016/17, the number of estates paying IHT rose by 3,600 to 28,100.

Rising asset values, particularly in regard to properties in London and the South East of England, have been a key factor behind the increased number of estates falling into the IHT net. The freezing of the tax-free nil-rate band threshold also played a key role.

The residence nil-rate band (RNRB) gives an additional allowance to people leaving their family home to direct descendants, such as children or grandchildren. The amount of relief is £150,000 for 2019/20, rising to £175,000 for 2020/21.

Despite the increase in estates paying IHT, the tax only applies to 4.6% of deaths in the UK. The average amount of tax paid was £179,000.

Please contact us for advice on estate and IHT planning.

Internet link: GOV.UK IHT statistics

According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) there are ‘major gaps’ in the government’s no-deal Brexit guidance for UK businesses.

The BCC carried out a review of official government no-deal Brexit guidance for businesses, and found that 31 of 36 critical areas are still marked amber or red, suggesting that businesses have ‘incomplete or insufficient information available to plan thoroughly for a no-deal outcome’.

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said:

‘While the government has ramped up communication to businesses in recent weeks, there are still big gaps in the guidance available to help businesses to prepare for Brexit, with just weeks to go until 31 October.

Our business communities don’t want to see a disorderly no-deal exit on 31 October, which would lead to an overnight change in trading conditions.

Averting a messy and disorderly exit is still critical. Businesses across the UK want politicians on all sides to come together and find a way forward – fast.’

Internet link: BCC news

The Department for Business has launched a nationwide programme of events to help businesses prepare for Brexit.

The free events are designed to provide free advice on a range of Brexit-related topics, including exporting, importing and employing EU citizens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from senior government officials and access support tailored to their location and business.

More than 30 Brexit-readiness events have been scheduled to take place across the UK.

Internet link: GOV.UK news