Personal Tax Planning

Our specialist tax team can provide you with year-round advice on all aspects ...

Everyone who is subject to taxation needs professional advice and support if they are to optimise their tax position and ensure they meet the compliance requirements.

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"Our specialist tax team can provide you with year-round advice on all aspects of personal taxation."

With the tax regime becoming more complex, and more focus being put on taxpayers’ individual responsibilities, everyone who is subject to taxation needs professional advice and support if they are to optimise their tax position and ensure they meet all the compliance requirements.

We can provide you with year-round tax advice on:

  • Income tax
  • Capital gains tax
  • Inheritance tax
  • Trusts and estates
  • Non-domiciliary tax issues

Every pound of income tax you save means more income at your disposal, every well-planned disposal of assets means minimal loss of capital gains, and every inheritance tax saving means more benefit for your beneficiaries.

Dividends and Interest

Special rules apply to the tax treatment of interest and dividends. At Everest & Co – Accountants, we can provide guidance on the rules and help you minimise your income tax liability in the West Midlands or surrounding areas.

Dividend and savings allowances are available. We consider the opportunities and pitfalls of the personal tax rules.

Consideration of the following points may improve the organisation of your records:

  • Totalling and balancing your books at regular intervals will help you spot and correct any mistakes
  • Analysing your payments and receipts so that information can be easily extracted
  • Filing your invoices in a logical order (numerical, alphabetical or date) to make it easy to find any one of them.

Dividend income

When dividends are received by an individual the amount received is the gross amount subject to tax. The availability of the Dividend Allowance (DA), means that the first £2,000 for 2021/22 of dividends are charged to tax at 0%. Dividends received above this allowance are taxed at the following rates:

  • 7.5% for basic rate taxpayers
  • 32.5% for higher rate taxpayers
  • 38.1% for additional rate taxpayers

Dividends within the allowance still count towards an individual’s basic or higher rate band and so may affect the rate of tax paid on dividends above the £2,000 allowance.

Dividends are treated as the top slice of income and the basic rate tax band is first allocated against other income.

Example

Mr A has non-dividend income of £46,700 and receives dividends of £12,000. The non-dividend income is taxed first. Of the £46,700 non-dividend income, it would be advantageous to utilise £9,000 of the £12,570 available Personal Allowance, leaving £37,700 to be taxed at the basic rate.

The basic rate band for 2021/22 is fully utilised against the taxable non-dividend income. The remaining £3,570 of Personal Allowance is used against the dividends and £2,000 of dividends are covered by the Dividend Allowance. The remaining dividends (£12,000 less £3,570 Personal Allowance and £2,000 of DA) fall in the higher rate tax band and are therefore

Savings income

Some individuals qualify for a 0% starting rate of tax on savings income up to £5,000. However, this rate is not available if non-savings income (broadly earnings, pensions, trading profits and property income) exceeds the starting rate limit.

The Savings Allowance (SA) taxes savings income within the SA at 0%. The amount of SA depends on the individual’s marginal rate of tax. An individual taxed at the basic rate of tax has a SA of £1,000 whereas a higher rate taxpayer is entitled to a SA of £500. Additional rate taxpayers receive no SA.

Savings income includes:

  • interest on bank and building society accounts
  • interest on accounts with credit unions or National Savings and Investments
  • interest distributions from authorised unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (OEICs) and investment trusts
  • income from government or corporate bonds
  • most types of purchased life annuity payments.

Is savings income received net or gross of tax?

Interest is generally received gross. Following the introduction of the SA the government no longer requires banks, building societies, unit trusts and OEICs to deduct tax from interest they pay to customers.

Switching investments

Given the lower amount of SA, higher and additional rate taxpayers could seek to maximise their use of the DA by moving investments out of interest bearing investments to ones which pay out dividends. This could be through direct shareholdings or through dividend distributing equity funds in unit trusts or OEICs.

In addition, assets held for capital growth could be transferred to dividend paying investments. Any gains realised by the investors on the sale of assets would be exempt up to the CGT exemption which is £12,300 for 2021/22 (£12,300 for 2020/21). Further gains over this amount are charged to tax at 20% for higher and additional rate taxpayers.

Interaction between DA and SA

If the amount of dividends an individual receives is covered by the DA but those dividends would have meant that they were higher rate taxpayers without the DA, then this would affect the amount of SA they would receive.

Example

Mrs B has a salary of £49,000, interest income of £1,000 and dividends of £2,000. Although the dividends are covered by the DA, Mrs B’s total income is £52,000 so she is a higher rate taxpayer. She would therefore only receive £500 of SA against the £1,000 of interest income.

Check your coding

Where savings income exceeds the SA, there will be tax to pay on the excess. HMRC try to collect this tax by adjusting an individual’s tax code. To allow them to do this they will use information from banks and building societies. However in some cases, HMRC may overestimate the amount of interest people are likely to earn and adjust their coding accordingly. So it is always worth checking coding notices when they come through.

Gift Aid donations

Take care if you make Gift Aid donations. A charity can reclaim the tax on a Gift Aid donation only if the individual has paid the amount of tax being reclaimed.

Savings and dividend income covered by the SA and DA is not taxed. Where this happens the individual is responsible for ensuring that the donation is covered and HMRC has powers to recover any shortfall from the taxpayer.

Planning for spouses

The Dividend and Savings Allowances may also mean it is important to consider the allocation of investments between husband and wives or civil partners. If just one partner has investments generating dividends or savings it could be beneficial to transfer part of the investments to the other partner to ensure they receive income which utilises their DA or SA. Any transfer of assets between husbands and wives or between civil partners who are living together can be made without any capital gains tax being charged.

How we can help

If you are in the West Midlands area please do contact us for guidance on the dividend and savings allowances and the impact on your income tax position.

Individual Savings Accounts

ISAs are tax-exempt savings accounts available to individuals. At Everest & Co – Accountants, we advise individuals on tax efficient investments in the West Midlands area. Some information about ISAs is given below.

Successive governments, concerned at the relatively low level of savings in the UK economy have over the years introduced various means by which individuals can save through a tax-free environment. 

ISAs are tax-exempt savings accounts available to individuals. At Everest & Co – Accountants, we advise individuals on tax efficient investments in the West Midlands area. Some information about ISAs is given below.

Successive governments, concerned at the relatively low level of savings in the UK economy have over the years introduced various means by which individuals can save through a tax-free environment. 

What is an ISA?

ISAs are tax-exempt savings accounts available to individuals aged 18 or over who are resident and ordinarily resident in the UK. ISAs are only available to individual investors and cannot be held jointly.

ISAs are guaranteed to run for ten years although there is no minimum period for which the accounts must be held.

Investment limits

The overall annual savings limit is £20,000.

Investment choices

Investors are allowed to invest in a cash ISA, an investment ISA, an Innovative Finance ISA, or a combination of the three subject to not exceeding the overall annual investment limit.

Investors are able to transfer their investments from a stocks and shares ISA to a cash ISA (or vice versa).

ISAs are allowed to invest in cash (including bank and building society accounts and designated National Savings), stocks and shares (including unit and investment trusts and government securities with at least five years to run) and life assurance.

A wide range of securities including certain retail bonds with less than five years before maturity, Core Capital Deferred Shares issued by building societies, listed bonds issued by Co-operative Societies and Community Benefit Societies and SME securities that are admitted to trading on a recognised stock exchange are eligible to be held in an ISA, Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund (CTF).

The Innovative Finance ISA can be used for loans arranged via a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform. Peer-to-peer lending is a small but rapidly growing alternative source of finance for individuals and businesses. The Innovative Finance ISA may also invest in debt securities offered via crowdfunding platforms.

Withdraw and replace monies

ISA savers may be able to withdraw and replace money from their cash ISA without it counting towards their annual ISA subscription limit for that year where they hold a ‘Flexible ISA’.

Additional ISA allowance for spouses on death

An additional ISA allowance is available for spouses or civil partners when an ISA saver dies. The additional ISA allowance is equal to the value of a deceased person’s accounts at the time of their death and is in addition to the normal ISA subscription limit. There are time limits within which the additional allowance has to be used. In certain circumstances an individual can transfer to their own ISA non-cash assets such as stocks and shares previously held by their spouse.

In most cases, it is envisaged that the additional allowance will be used to subscribe to an ISA offered by the same financial institution that provided the deceased person’s ISA. As the rules allow the transfer of stocks and shares directly into the new ISA, in many cases the effect will be that the investments are left intact and the spouse becomes the new owner of the deceased person’s ISA.

The tax advantaged treatment of ISAs continues whilst an individual’s estate is in administration.

Tax advantages

The income from ISA investments is exempt from income tax.

Any capital gains made on investments held in an ISA are exempt from capital gains tax.

Uses of an ISA

Many people use an ISA in the first instance, to save for a rainy day. Since they were first introduced people have used them to save for retirement, to complement their pension plans or to save for future repayment of their mortgage to give just a few examples. We have known young people, wary of commitment to long-term saving start an ISA and when more certain of the future use it as a lump sum to start another financial plan.

Help to Buy ISA

The Help to Buy ISA, which provides a tax-free savings account for first time buyers wishing to save for a home.

The scheme will provide a government bonus to each person who has saved into a Help to Buy ISA at the point they use their savings to purchase their first home. For every £200 a first time buyer saves, the government will provide a £50 bonus up to a maximum bonus of £3,000 on £12,000 of savings.

Help to Buy ISAs are subject to eligibility rules and limits:

  • An individual is only eligible for one account throughout the lifetime of the scheme and it is only available to first time buyers.
  • Interest received on the account will be tax-free.
  • Savings are limited to a monthly maximum of £200 with an opportunity to deposit an additional £1,000 when the account is first opened.
  • The government will provide a 25% bonus on the total amount saved including interest, capped at a maximum of £3,000 which is tax-free.
  • The bonus will be paid when the first home is purchased.
  • The bonus can only be put towards a first home located in the UK with a purchase value of £450,000 or less in London and £250,000 or less in the rest of the UK.
  • The government bonus can be claimed at any time, subject to a minimum bonus amount of £400.
  • The accounts are limited to one per person rather than one per home so those buying together can both receive a bonus.

Help to Buy ISA accounts were be available until 30 November 2019, when this type of account was withdrawn for new savers. Those individuals that already have an account can keep saving until 30 November 2029, when accounts will close to additional contributions. An individual must claim their bonus by 1 December 2030.

Lifetime ISA

A Lifetime ISA is available for adults under the age of 40. Individuals are able to contribute up to £4,000 per year and receive a 25% bonus on the contributions from the government. Funds, including the government bonus, can be used to buy a first home at any time from 12 months after opening the account, and can be withdrawn from age 60 completely tax-free.

Further details of the Lifetime ISA are as follows:

  • Any savings an individual puts into the account before their 50th birthday will receive an added 25% bonus from the government.
  • There is no maximum monthly contribution and up to £4,000 a year can be saved into a Lifetime ISA.
  • The detailed rules are based on those for the Help to Buy ISA, in that the withdrawal must be for the purchase of a property for the first-time buyer to live in as their only residence and not buy-to-let. There are differences, however. In particular, the bonuses within the Lifetime ISA can be used to fund the initial deposit on the home whereas the Help to Buy bonus can only fund the completion of the purchase.
  • The savings and bonus can be used towards a deposit on a first home worth up to £450,000 across the country.
  • Accounts are limited to one per person rather than one per home, so two first-time buyers can both receive a bonus when buying together.
  • An individual that has a Help to Buy ISA may transfer those savings into a Lifetime ISA, or continue saving into both. However, only the bonus from one account can be used to buy a house.
  • Where the funds are withdrawn at any time before the account holder is aged 60 they will lose the government bonus (and any interest or growth on this) and will also have to pay a 25% charge.
  • After the account holder’s 60th birthday they will be able to take all the savings tax-free.

Junior Individual Savings Account (Junior ISA)

Junior ISAs are available for UK resident children under the age of 18 who do not have a CTF account. Junior ISAs are tax advantaged and have many features in common with ISAs. They can be cash or stocks and shares based products. The annual subscription limit for Junior ISA and CTF accounts is £9,000 for 2021/22 (£9,000 for 2020/21).

A transfer of savings from a CTF to a Junior ISA is permitted at the request of the registered contact for the CTF.

CTF accounts started to mature in September 2020 when the first children reach 18. Without regulatory change the investments would lose their tax advantaged status. CTF and ISA regulations have therefore been made which:

  • make sure that investments in CTF accounts retain their tax advantaged status post maturity, pending instructions from the account holder
  • allow savings transferred from a matured CTF to be disregarded for the annual ISA subscription limit.

Property Investment – tax aspects

On the basis that the investment in property appears to make commercial sense what tax factors should you take into account? If you are considering property investment in the West Midlands area we, at Everest & Co – Accountants, can help you to make property investments in a tax efficient manner.

Investment in property has been and continues to be a popular form of investment for many people. It is seen as a route by which:

  • relatively secure capital gains can be made on eventual sale
  • income returns can be generated throughout the period of ownership
  • mortgage finance is covered in repayment terms by the security of the eventual sale of the property and in interest terms by the rental income.

Of course, the net returns in capital and income will depend on a host of factors. But on the basis that the investment appears to make commercial sense, what tax factors should you take into account?

This factsheet should be considered only in relation to a UK resident property owner.

Who or what should purchase the property?

An initial decision needs to be made whether to purchase the property:

  • as an individual
  • as a joint owner or via a partnership (often with a spouse)
  • via a company.

There are significant differences in the tax effects of ownership by individuals or a company.

Deciding on the best medium will depend on a number of factors.

Taxation of the family

Husbands and wives are taxed separately and the tax position of any children is also a consideration. Marriage breakdowns can also have a considerable impact for tax purposes. We consider the relevant issues and the basic tax planning opportunities. If you live in the West Midlands area we, at Everest & Co – Accountants can help you plan a tax efficient strategy depending on you and your family’s personal circumstances.

Individuals are subject to a system of independent taxation so husbands, wives and civil partners are taxed separately. This can give rise to valuable tax planning opportunities. Furthermore, the tax position of any children is important.

Marriage and civil partnershop breakdowns can also have a considerable impact for tax purposes.

We highlight below the main areas of importance where advance planning can help to minimise overall tax liabilities.

It is important that professional advice is sought on specific issues relevant to your personal circumstances.

Setting the scene

Married couples and civil partners

Independent taxation means that husbands and wives are taxed separately on their income and capital gains. The effect is that both have their own allowances, savings and basic rate tax bands for income tax, annual exemption for capital gains tax purposes and are responsible for their own tax affairs. The same tax treatment applies to couples who have entered into a civil partnership under the Civil Partnership Act.

Children

A child is an independent person for tax purposes and is therefore entitled to a personal allowance and the savings and basic rate tax band before being taxed at the higher rate. It may be possible to save tax by generating income or capital gains in the children’s hands.

Marriage and civil partnership breakdown

Separation, divorce and dissolution can have significant tax implications. In particular, the following areas warrant careful consideration:

  • available tax allowances
  • transfers of assets between spouses.

Tax planning for married couples and civil partners

Income tax allowances and tax bands

Everyone is entitled to a basic personal allowance. This allowance cannot however be transferred between spouses and civil partners except for the circumstances outlined below.

Transferable Tax Allowance or Marriage Allowance

Married couples and civil partners may be eligible for a Transferable Tax Allowance.

The Transferable Tax Allowance (also referred to as the Marriage Allowance) enables spouses and civil partners to transfer a fixed amount of their personal allowance to their partner. The option to transfer is not available to unmarried couples.

The option to transfer is available to couples where neither pays tax at the higher or additional rate. If eligible, one partner is able to transfer 10% of their personal allowance to the other partner, which is currently £1,260.

Couples are entitled to the full benefit in their first year of marriage.

For those couples where one person does not use all of their personal allowance the benefit will be worth approximately £250.

Eligible couples can apply for the marriage allowance at www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance. The spouse or partner with the lower income applies to transfer some of their personal allowance by entering some basic details.

Those who do not apply via the government gateway will be able to make an application at a later date and still receive the allowance.

If either spouse or civil partner were born before 6 April 1935, then a married couple’s allowance is available. For marriages before 5 December 2005 the allowance is based on the husband’s income, for marriages and civil partnerships formed after that date the allowance is based on the income of the highest earner.

Joint ownership of assets

In general, married couples and civil partners should try to arrange their ownership of income producing assets so as to ensure that personal allowances are fully utilised and any higher rate liabilities minimised.

Generally, when a couple jointly own assets, any income arising is assumed to be shared equally for tax purposes. This applies even where the asset is owned in unequal shares unless an election is made to split the income in proportion to the ownership of the asset.

Married couples and civil partners are taxed on dividends from jointly owned shares in ‘close’ companies according to their actual ownership of the shares. Close companies are broadly those owned by the directors or five or fewer people. For example if a spouse is entitled to 95% of the income from jointly owned shares they will pay tax on 95% of the dividends from those shares. This measure is designed to close a perceived loophole in the rules and does not apply to income from any other jointly owned assets.

We can advise on the most appropriate strategy for jointly owned assets so that tax liabilities are minimised.

Capital gains tax (CGT)

Each spouse’s CGT liability is computed by reference to their own disposals of assets and each is entitled to their own annual exemption of £12,300 for 2021/22 (£12,300 for 2020/21). Some limited tax savings may be made by ensuring that maximum advantage is taken of any available capital losses and annual exemptions.

This can often be achieved by transferring assets between spouses before sale – a course of action generally having no adverse CGT or inheritance tax (IHT) implications. Advance planning is vital, and the possible income tax effects of transferring assets should not be overlooked.

Further details of how CGT operates are outlined in the factsheet Capital Gains Tax.

Inheritance tax (IHT)

When a person dies IHT becomes due on their estate. Some lifetime gifts are treated as chargeable transfers but most are ignored providing the donor survives for seven years after the gift.

The rate of IHT payable is 40% on death and 20% on lifetime chargeable transfers. The first £325,000 is not chargeable and this is known as the nil rate band.

Transfers of property between spouses are generally exempt from IHT. Rules were introduced which allow any nil-rate band unused on the first death to be used when the surviving spouse dies. The transfer of the unused nil-rate band from a deceased spouse, irrelevant of the date of death, may be made to the estate of their surviving spouse who dies on or after 9 October 2007.

The amount of the nil-rate band available for transfer will be based on the proportion of the nil-rate band which was unused when the first spouse died. Key documentary evidence will be required for a claim, so do get in touch to discuss the information needed.

IHT residence nil rate band

An additional nil rate band is available for deaths on or after 6 April 2017 where an interest in a main residence passes to direct descendants. The amount of relief is £175,000 for 2021/22. For many married couples and civil partners the relief is effectively doubled as each individual has a main nil rate band and each will potentially benefit from the residence nil rate band.

The additional band can only be used in respect of one residential property which does not have to be the main family home but must at some point have been a residence of the deceased. Restrictions apply where estates are in excess of £2 million.

Where a person died before 6 April 2017, their estate will not qualify for the relief. A surviving spouse may be entitled to an increase in the residence nil rate band if the spouse who died earlier has not used, or was not entitled to use, their full residence nil rate band. The calculations involved are potentially complex but the increase will often result in a doubling of the residence nil rate band for the surviving spouse.

The residence nil rate band may also be available when a person downsizes or ceases to own a home on or after 8 July 2015 where assets of an equivalent value, up to the value of the residence nil rate band, are passed on death to direct descendants.

Taxpayers now have three nil rate bands to consider. The standard nil rate band has been a part of the legislation from the start of IHT in 1986. In 2007 the ability to utilise the unused nil rate band of a deceased spouse was introduced, enabling many surviving spouses to have a nil rate band of up to £650,000. From 6 April 2020 some surviving spouses are able to add £350,000 in respect of the residence nil rate band to arrive at a total nil rate band of £1 million. However this will only be achieved by careful planning and, in some cases, it may be better for the first deceased spouse to have given some assets to the next generation and use up some or all of the available nil rate bands.

For many individuals, the residence nil rate band will be important but individuals will need to revisit their wills to ensure that the relief will be available and efficiently utilised.

Gifts

A gift for family maintenance does not give rise to an IHT charge. This would include the transfer of property made on divorce under a court order, gifts for the education of children or maintenance of a dependent relative.

Gifts in consideration of marriage are exempt up to £5,000 if made by a parent with lower limits for other donors.

Small gifts to individuals not exceeding £250 in total per tax year per recipient are exempt. The exemption cannot be used to cover part of a larger gift.

Gifts which are made out of income which are typical and habitual and do not result in a fall in the standard of living of the donor are exempt. Payments under deed of covenant and the payment of annual premiums on life insurance policies would usually fall within this exemption.

Children

Use of allowances and lower rate tax bands

It may be possible for tax savings to be achieved by the transfer of income producing assets to a child so as to take advantage of the child’s personal allowance.

This cannot be done by the parent if the annual income arising is above £100. The income will still be taxed on the parent. However, transfers of income producing assets by others (eg grandparents) will be effective.

A parent can however allow a child to use any entitlement to the CGT annual exemption by using a ‘bare trust’.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit may be available to some families. To see whether you are entitled to claim visit www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Junior Individual Savings Accounts (Junior ISA)

The Junior ISA is available for UK resident children under the age of 18 who do not have a Child Trust Fund account. Junior ISAs are tax advantaged and have many features in common with existing ISAs. They are available as cash or stocks and share-based products. The annual subscription limit is £9,000 for 2021/22 (£9,000 for 2020/21).

High Income Child Benefit Charge

A charge applies to a taxpayer who has adjusted net income over £50,000 in a tax year where either they or their partner are in receipt of Child Benefit for the year. Where both partners have adjusted net income in excess of £50,000 the charge will apply to the partner with the higher income.

The income tax charge will apply at a rate of 1% of the full Child Benefit award for each £100 of income between £50,000 and £60,000. The charge on taxpayers with income above £60,000 will be equal to the amount of Child Benefit paid.

Child Benefit claimants can elect not to receive Child Benefit if they or their partner do not wish to pay the charge.

Example

The Child Benefit for two children amounts to £1,828.

The taxpayer’s adjusted net income is £54,000.

The income tax charge will be £731.

This is calculated as £18.28 for every £100 above £50,000.

For a taxpayer with adjusted net income of £60,000 or above the income tax charge will equal the Child Benefit.

Marriage and civil partnership breakdown

Maintenance payments

An important element in tax planning on marriage breakdown used to involve arrangements for the payment of maintenance. Generally, no tax relief is due on maintenance payments.

Asset transfers

Marriage and civil partnership breakdowns often involve the transfer of assets between partners. Unless the timing of any such transfers is carefully planned there can be adverse CGT consequences.

If an asset is transferred between a husband and wife or civil partners who are living together, the asset is deemed to be transferred at a price that does not give rise to a gain or a loss. This treatment continues up to the end of the tax year in which the separation takes place.

CGT can therefore present a problem where transfers take place after the end of the tax year of separation but before divorce, although gifts holdover relief is usually available on transfers of qualifying assets under a Court Order.

IHT on the other hand will not cause a problem if transfers take place before the granting of a decree absolute on divorce. Transfers after this date may still not be a problem as often there is no gratuitous intent.


Example

The Child Benefit for two children amounts to £1,828.

The taxpayer’s adjusted net income is £54,000.

The income tax charge will be £731.

This is calculated as £18.28 for every £100 above £50,000.

For a taxpayer with adjusted net income of £60,000 or above the income tax charge will equal the Child Benefit.

How we can help

Some general points can be made when planning for efficient taxation of the family.

Any plan must take into account specific circumstances and it is important that any proposed course of action gives consideration to all areas of tax that may be affected by the proposals.

Tax savings can only be achieved if an appropriate course of action is planned in advance. It is therefore vital that professional advice is sought at an early stage. If you live in the West Midlands area we, at Everest & Co – Accountants, would welcome the chance to tailor a plan to your own personal circumstances so please do contact us.