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We've scoured the web to get you the most up-to-date advice which includes the most useful tools on offer from the officials themselves.

Effective tax planning is essential if you are to minimise your tax bills. Simple tax planning can significantly reduce your tax liabilities.

The self-assessment tax return is an unavoidable burden if you are liable for self-employed tax or have complicated income tax affairs.

Corporation tax is charged on a company's profits. If you trade as a limited company, ensure that paying this tax is as painless as possible.

National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are payable whether you are self-employed or employed by your own company, although different rates apply.

As well as your legal obligations, you’ll want to ensure that payroll is painless and that you use any opportunities to improve your tax-efficiency.

VAT

Effective VAT planning aims to ensure that VAT is relatively painless, and that you are reclaiming as much as possible of the VAT you pay.

Capital gains are made when you sell something for more money than you paid for it. As a result, you can be subject to tax. Take professional advice.

Business property taxes apply to businesses with commercial premises.There are two commercial property taxes: business rates and stamp duty land tax.

If you have tax problems or face a tax investigation, it pays to seek professional advice and you must act rather than just hoping for the best.

Brits on the move as remote working becomes the norm

6 October 2020

Nearly two-thirds of Brits have thought about moving since their daily commute has been replaced by home working, according to new research.

A poll of 2,000 Brits by OnePoll for MoneyTransfers.com has found that 63% have considered living elsewhere since the COVID-19 lockdown brought in widespread remote working; 46% have thought about moving within the next 12 months.

The idea of moving is most appealing to younger people, with three out of four of Gen X and 70% of millennials saying they have considered a move due to changes in their work environment. This compares to 54% of Gen X and 46% of Baby Boomers.

Reasons for moving cited by respondents include:

  • For a better quality of life (52%);
  • Because they can work remotely (49%);
  • To reduce the cost of living (38%);
  • To reduce housing costs - both renting and buying (29%);
  • For a slower pace of life (29%);
  • For better weather or scenery (28%);
  • For adventure (22%);
  • To be closer to family (21%);
  • Because of COVID-19 (16%).

The findings indicate that most people would choose to stay in the UK - just 12% said they want to move overseas while 74% want to relocate within the UK; 14% remain unsure.

London remains a popular destination (for 19% of those that want to stay in the UK) although a significant number (12%) are attracted by a rural life in the South West of England. Other popular destinations are: the South East (11%), Scotland (8%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (7%).

For those looking to move abroad, Spain came top, followed by Canada, the United States, Australia and Greece. For the Gen Z demographic, English-speaking countries are more popular, with Australia and the US being the most popular choices. Baby Boomers prefer Italy and Portugal.

The poll findings also reveal something of a gender divide, with 68% of men saying that they would consider moving if remote working continued to be available, compared to 50% of women. "Missing family and friends" was the main reason that women didn't want to move (for 46%), with the high cost of moving preventing 41% of men from making a move.

Jonathan Merry, ceo of MoneyTransfers.com, said: "With many working from home for an extended period of time, the general public [have] questioned whether they could be rid of their commutes, large rents, or mortgages for good, and instead, live and work from somewhere else … I believe that this on-going experience will ultimately provide the public with more freedom to live and work remotely in the future, with digital being at the forefront of this movement."

Written by Rachel Miller.

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