Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. Our review of Chancellor Philip Hammond’s first (and last) Autumn Statement started last week with personal taxation changes. We dealt with some of the issues about personal allowances and tax bands. This week, we continue to focus on the changes to personal taxation, before we launch into the business tax issues next week. Tax on savings income: Savings income is income such as bank and building society interest. Some individuals qualify for a 0% starting rate of tax on savings income up to £5,000. However, the rate is not available if taxable non-savings income (broadly earnings, pensions, trading profits and property income) exceeds the starting rate limit. In addition, from 2016/17 the Savings Allowance (SA) applies to savings income. Income within the SA is taxed at 0% (the 'savings nil ...

Controversial author and columnist Julian Ruck will be the guest speaker at a meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, tomorrow evening (7.30pm Wednesday, November 23). Ruck is a novelist, broadcaster, columnist and political journalist/commentator. He is presently a columnist for two of Wales' biggest selling newspapers. Having studied and trained as a lawyer in London, he dedicated a portion of his life to dealing with Legal Aid contracts in the not-for-profit sector. He now lives in West Wales, where he is a regular contributor to Labour Uncut and The Daily Express. He has published six books, all with Dinefwr Press, and is currently writing another. In October 2015, Julian was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left him seriously injured, but as of 2016, he is on the road to recovery and writing again. Link - http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=936

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The taxman at HMRC is urging people to renew their tax credits claim well before the July 31 deadline. HMRC have made improvements to the online renewal service and recommend claimants renew their claim online once they receive their renewal pack which is issued between April and June. The online service can now accommodate all changes in circumstances (working hours, childcare costs or income) which affect the amount of someone's entitlement. Nick Lodge, HMRC’s Director General, Benefits and Credits, said: “Our online service means that you can renew at any time of the day or night, and on any device, without having to call us. Online help can also answer most queries you may have and a web chat facility will be available to support people renewing online. We urge everyone who can to go onli...

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The taxman at HMRC is urging people to renew their tax credits claim well before the July 31 deadline. HMRC have made improvements to the online renewal service and recommend claimants renew their claim online once they receive their renewal pack which is issued between April and June. The online service can now accommodate all changes in circumstances (working hours, childcare costs or income) which affect the amount of someone's entitlement. Nick Lodge, HMRC’s Director General, Benefits and Credits, said: “Our online service means that you can renew at any time of the day or night, and on any device, without having to call us. Online help can also answer most queries you may have and a web chat facility will be available to support people renewing online. We urge everyone who can to go onli...

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. A very wise man once told me, “If you’re not thinking about pensions, then you should be.” Sensible words as we must all plan for the future. The world of pensions is going through many changes. The way you can access your personal pension pot has changed. And there are changes for employers with the new auto enrolment system, The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published some guidance aimed at the 1.3 million small and micro employers who are preparing for pensions auto enrolment. The guidance aims to help employers find a good quality pension scheme. It is worth remembering that it is the employer’s choice when it comes to finding a provider. Some IFAs will offer to help guide the process, but at a fee, so it is worth looking at all options. TPR research suggests one in five (290,000) employers wi...