The end of the tax year looms

We are now just under one month away from the end of the tax year 2013/14. 

The last 18 months has seen a transition in financial services after the implementation of the now replaced Financial Services Authority (now the Financial Conduct Authority) Retail Distribution Review (RDR). We have seen the distribution of financial advice changing across the High Streets (and other locations) of the UK and many clients no longer receive financial advice service from organisations, such as their retail banks. With this in mind, it is very easy to forget or not be prompted to note the end of the tax year and some of the allowances that are available to individuals in the UK and it is normally sensible they try and use these allowances before they are lost.

Good examples of this would be the ISA allowance and also the Capital Gains tax allowance in this tax year.

ISA 2013/2014

As a reminder, the maximum ISA allowance in this tax year is £11,520 (to a Stocks and Shares ISA) or alternatively you can split the investment with £5,760 going into a deposit ISA and £5,760 going into a Stocks and Shares ISA.

The new allowance in the new tax year 2014/15 is £11,880 and in our experience many clients try and use the ISA allowance early in the new tax year, which starts on 6 April 2014, to allow their investments to grow on a tax efficient basis over the coming months.

Capital Gains Tax 

It is also important to remember that where available individuals have a Capital Gains tax allowance of £10,900 and if this gain can be used prudently during the tax year, it would be sensible to do so. The new Capital Gains tax allowance for this tax year 2014/15 is £11,000.

Trust Allowances 

For some Trusts this Capital Gains tax allowance is also available, but at half the level noted above for individuals.

I am sure that we will see much more press in the coming weeks, with regards to using these allowances as we approach the end of the tax year and if you would like advice with regards to these arrangements then please contact the team at Chapters Financial who will be able to guide you and implement where appropriate these opportunities.

No individual pension/ financial advice is provided during the course of this blog.

Keith Churchouse FPFS
Director
Chartered Financial Planner
ISO 22222 Personal Financial Planner

Chapters Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, number 402899.

The Autumn Statement 2012

It was a busy day at Westminster on Wednesday 05th December with the numerous announcements and changes to the many rules and regulations that maintain the UK Governments fiscal policy. As the saying goes 'the devil is in the detail' of these Budget changes, with additional tax and allowances being taken on one hand and given back or withdrawn (such as the planned 3p (approximate) fuel tax rise in January 2013) on the other.

From a financial planning perspective, there are some headlines that will be of interest (with some benefits and concerns) to our clients and enquirers and I have listed some of these changes below. This is not an exhaustive list, but provides many relevant points that you may want to consider:

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Increase

The current allowance of £10,600 (2012/2013) will increase by 1% the tax year start 2014, rising to £11,100 by tax year 2015/2016.

ISA Allowance Increase

The current allowance of £11,280 will increase by 1% to £11,520 from the tax year start 2013.

Pension Annual Allowance Reduction

The maximum annual pension contribution in a pension input period (PIP) will fall from £50,000 (from all sources) to £40,000 from tax year start 2014/2015.

This is likely to have significant effect on higher earners and those with members of final salary pension schemes with higher annual incomes.

Pension Lifetime Allowance Limit Reduction

The current Lifetime Allowance Limit (LTA) is falling from its current limit of £1.50m to £1.25m from the start of the tax year 2014/2015.

This is likely to haves significant effect on higher earners who have long service within a final salary arrangement or large private pension arrangements. A point of note is that a transitional 'fixed protection' regime will be introduced for those who understand that they may be affected by the reduction in the lifetime allowance (LTA).

Pension Income Drawdown Maximum Withdrawal Limit

Originally the maximum ‘drawdown’ limit was 120% of the Government Actuarial Departments (GAD) limit that could be approximately achieved through averaged single life annuity rates. This fell to 100% about 18 months ago, sadly at a time when annuity rates were continuing to fall.

As soon as legislation will allow, the original limit of 120% is being restored, which will be of interest to those who have seen their maximum withdrawals fall significantly in recent times.

Income Tax Personal Allowance Increase

The Personal Allowance for the tax year 2013-14 will increase to £9,440 and the basic rate limit will be set at £32,010.

The increase in the higher rate threshold will be capped at 1% for tax years 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Band Allowance Increase

The current Inheritance Tax nil rate band allowance for an individual of £325,000 will increase to £329,000 from tax year start 2015/2016.

Summary

These are only examples of some of the changes that may be of interest to you when considering your financial planning for the future. Because of the scope of the changes and because each client is advised individually, no individual advice is provided in the content of this Blog.

More details of the Autumn Statement changes can be found at the HMRC website here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget-updates/march2012/autumn-statement-dec2012.htm

Chapters Financial Limited is not responsible for the content of external webpages.

If you would like to consider your own financial planning further then please contact Chapters Financial Limited through our website or on 01483 578800.

Keith G Churchouse FPFS

Director
ISO22222 Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Planner Chapters Financial Limited

Chapters Financial Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority, number 402899.