Tax is a large part of financial planning. Utilising tax allowances means you don’t pay more tax than you need to and goes a long way to helping you achieve your financial goals. UK tax can be confusing at times. Some of the main tax points are covered below: Buy To Let There’s a balancing...Read More

Many pensions should not be transferred and left exactly where they are. We cover some of the reasons below: Defined Benefit These pensions offer a guaranteed income when you reach retirement. It will normally increase each year, and usually continue to be paid to your spouse, civil partner, or dependants, often at a reduced rate,...Read More

Most countries around the world are experiencing rising inflation. The US, Europe and the UK, for example, are dealing with inflation of 8.2%, 9.9% and 10.1%, respectively.  To combat inflation, central banks around the world have raised interest rates, again, to levels not seen in many years. While this might help stem inflation to some...Read More

Demand is slowing but still strong transaction data. Demand remains above average but analysts are forecasting a weakening market as households feel the pinch with the cost of living rising. Mortgage approvals are 9% down and the government help to buy scheme ends this month. Lifetime ISA Support is still afforded to first time buyers...Read More

A lot of companies are feeling the pinch with high inflation, but there are ways to mitigate its effects. The impact on your company can be profound, from increasing supply-chain costs to demands from staff for higher wages. In such a scenario, it’s important to be proactive and put some measures in place to counter...Read More

One of the key elements in HMRC’s plan to close the tax gap is a strategy called ‘Making Tax Digital’ (MTD) Each year the UK tax authorities, HMRC, publish figures for what they refer to as ‘the tax gap’. This figure is the difference between what HMRC expects to collect in tax and the amount...Read More

A stable hard asset such as property is usually a good long term investment in volatile markets and should be part of most portfolios. Here are some things to be mindful of: Educate Yourself The proposition is simple enough – buy property, then rent it out. However, as with anything, there are layers of complexity...Read More

When you sell a valuable asset, you may have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on your profits.  One possible way of reducing, even avoiding this tax bill is to give an asset to your partner, or split it with them. By doing this, both of you are able to use your individual CGT allowance...Read More

Alternative Investments are ones that don’t fall within the traditional nomenclature of equities, bonds and cash.  Historically they have been dominated by property-based investments, which typically generate a higher income and are influenced by interest rate movements but also exhibit long term capital growth. A Diverse Asset Class This asset class has grown in recent...Read More

Many families are feeling the pinch as the price of living is going up. Rarely out of the headlines, this increase in the cost of living – called inflation – can cause real problems for the value of your money, even for those with significant savings. The Cause Historically, over the long term, inflation has...Read More