Finance For Business

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The current squeeze by banks on lending is having an impact on the economy. However it is not only small trading companies that are facing difficulties with their bankers but also larger well known companies and professional practices, such as accountants and solicitors.

Accepting finance from a bank by any business is essentially agreeing to a loss of both valuable cash resources (in terms of fees and interest charged) and financial control of both the business (and unfortunately far too often – personal assets).

Most businesses and professional practices would benefit from a silent partner in the business.

Would it surprise you to know that many businesses could benefit from such silent partner arrangements by accessing a variety of schemes that can legally unlock funds from their own pension.

These schemes are available via specialist pension products and can unlock much needed finance NOW and allow firms to benefit from improved cash flow and their pension funds to benefit from being paid interest.

For more details of sensible tax planning strategies contact one of our Financial Planning Consultants, at Pareto Lawrence we offer both Financial and tax planning advice to corporate and private clients.

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Top civil servants in tax avoidance scam

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It was revealed on BBC Newsnight last night that Ed Lester chief executive of the Student Loans Company has been receiving his civil service salary via a service company in order to avoid PAYE. We do not believe that he is alone in receiving favourable tax treatment:-

We have some questions for the government and HMRC.

  • How many other Full time civil service employees are paid via service company?
  • Why did HMRC agreed no PAYE to be deducted?
  • Why did Treasury agree (but unaware of tax deal) ?
  • Why did HMRC made similar agreement with its IT officer ?
  • Why are these cases apparently exempt from IR35


The discovery of the details of Mr Lester’s pay deal was made following a freedom of information request by Newsnight.

The payment arrangement for his £182,000 civil service salary to be paid to a third party intermediary (his personal service company) had also been approved by HMRC – twice. HMRC appears to have agreed this when he was engaged on a temporary contract, and then again when he was taken on full-time. He also receives £550 per week in travel expenses for his commute to work, also apparently tax-free.

Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury signed off the pay deal, but seems unaware of what he agreed. It is reported that he has informed Newsnight he is now investigating further!

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Government swoops on latest tax avoidance scheme

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The Government has come down hard on the latest tax avoidance scheme, with an immediate change in legislation.

This blocks a tax avoidance scheme involving post-cessation trade relief, an avoidance scheme that seeks to generate post-cessation trade relief claimed by users of the scheme against their other income or capital gains.

The relief was designed to allow a person to claim a deduction in their income tax calculation for certain payments and bad debts arising after a trade, profession or vocation has ceased. But according to reports, artificial trading companies were being set up in tax havens to take advantage of the relief.

The law changed with immediate effect on 12 January 2012, and the legislation will be in the Finance Bill 2012.

It was stated that “Tackling tax avoidance is a priority for the Government. It is unacceptable, at a time when we are trying to bring down the deficit, that there are those who try to avoid paying the tax they owe. We have acted quickly to prevent the use of this particular scheme and we will not hesitate to close down other avoidance schemes as we become aware of them.”

Our opinion is that it is often unnecessary to use high risk tax schemes such as this.

For more details of sensible tax planning strategies contact one of our Financial Planning Consultants, at Pareto Lawrence we offer both Financial and tax planning advice to corporate and private clients.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR – the Year of the Dragon

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The Chinese community will be busy celebrating their New Year today, January 23rd.

Although the first day of 2012 Chinese Astrology Year is on February 4, 2012.

Those people interested in astrology will be keen to discover if they are likely to have better luck in the coming year than previous years.

According to Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Year of Water Dragon . The colour of Water in Five Elements system is related to Black.

Therefore this year 2012 will be referred to by the Chinese as a Black Dragon year.

Chinese Astrology is a Balance Theory of Five Elements. Each animal can be converted into Five Elements. Dragon contains Earth, Water and Wood. It’s a source of Water and is also called the Water Dam in Chinese astrology.

Dragon is a legendary animal and it is symbol of emperor in China. Since the Dragon is coated with mysterious color, Chinese consider that the dragon is unpredictable, untouchable and people cannot see its head and tail at the same time. This is auspicious and therefore something unexpected may have significant impact in 2012. Also a person with too many dragons in the Chinese astrology birth chart will become smarter, sly and unpredictable in the coming year.

2010 was the Year of White Tiger and is the beginning year of the Wood cycle. 2011 was the Year of White Rabbit and is the middle year of the Wood cycle. The Dragon of 2012 is the last year of the Wood cycle. Dragon is the transition year to the Fire Cycle. The energy of Wood is in the East side. The energy of Fire is in the South side. We never know what will happen when turning from East to South. That’s another sign of unpredictable Dragon year.

Fire is the opposite element of Water. People whose lucky element is Fire will have more impact in 2012.

Whatever your creed or culture, we wish you and all the very best for the year of the Dragon.

If you are not into astrology, and prefer to plan ahead for your future contact one of our Financial Planning Consultants, at Pareto Lawrence we offer Total Planning advice for both corporate and private clients.

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Failing to see the Wood for the Trees ?

Almost all business owners are aware of the need for proper financial planning and therefore are keen to examine in minor detail the various products that they have been sold over the years. In addition they are often concerned at “the bottom line” of the product valuation (in other words have their pensions or investments gone up or down) without relating this to how the market has performed generally.

We wonder if this type of “financial awareness” is helpful?

It is worthwhile to meet an adviser who can assist you to discover :-

Where you are now financially

Ideally,  where you would like to be positioned financially in the future?

What are the most cost effective strategies to assist you to reach your ideal?

If you are not currently aware of the answers to these questions, you need to seek out an alternative Financial planner, contact one of our Financial Planning Consultants, at Pareto Lawrence we offer both Financial and tax planning advice to corporate and private clients.

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Late with your tax return?

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The deadline to file tax returns for the previous tax year that ended 5th April 2011 is 31 January 2012. These returns can only be made online now. It is of greater importance this year to make returns on time as new penalties are in place. You will be charged £100 even if late by 1 day and £1300 if delayed by over six months, in addition you may be charged a percentage of the tax due.

If you are late with completion of your tax return, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of meeting the tax deadline.

Check you have all the information that you require to complete the tax return. Ensure you have requested interest details from your bank or building society and that you have a copy of your P60 and or P11D form.

If your tax return is complex, ensure you take advice. If not then read the notes provided by HMRC, they are very clear and helpful.

Register for online filing. HMRC will need to post you your log in and this could take at least one week to arrive.

Double check that all the figures you have entered are accurate.

Make sure you claim any allowances – these could be due on pension contributions if you are a high rate tax payer, gift aid and if you have contributed or invested in VCT’s or EIS’s. Please note that VCT, EIS and pension companies provide certificates which you should enclose with your tax return.

Lastly if your tax bill is too high, then you should contact one of our Financial Planning Consultants, at Pareto Lawrence we offer both Financial and tax planning advice to corporate and private clients.

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