Views

Our latest news, views and opinions for the business, financial and investing sectors, including personal finance.

Self-Assessment First-Timers need to Register

29/1/17

HMRC is urging first-time Self-Assessment customers to register for a Personal Tax Account. The changes to the taxation of investment income (including dividends and bank interest) mean that many taxpayers will now no longer need to submit tax returns but those who are basic rate taxpayers and who have more…
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Autumn Statement: Old News, New News, Bad News

21/12/16

The Old NewsThe new Chancellor’s first (and last) Autumn Statement contained little to interest us from a personal finance perspective. As usual, the Government confirmed several changes that had already been announced some time ago, including:The rise in the standard personal allowance to £11,500 and the increase in the 20%…
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FSCS Deposit Protection Limit set to increase

21/12/16

In July 2015, the level of Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection for depositors was cut by £10,000 to £75,000. The reduction was the result of the review requirements under the European Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive (EDGSD). The Directive specified a minimum level of €100,000 or the local currency equivalent.…
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Autonomy Wealth Director gains Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society

7/12/16

We are delighted to announce that Autonomy Wealth Director, Craig Evans has gained Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society (PFS), which is the highest qualification awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.Craig comments: "Although gaining Chartered Financial Planner status in 2009 was a milestone in my financial planning career, I am…
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New Dividend Tax Rules

18/11/16

The new system of dividend taxation introduced on 6th April 2016 radically reformed the way in which dividend income is taxed. As ever, there are winners and losers but as the new system is completely different to the old one, it can take a bit of understanding.The old 10% tax…
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Retirement Income: State Pension Top-ups still available

17/10/16

The cut in the Bank of England base rate to 0.25% in August reminds us that it is becoming ever more difficult to generate a meaningful income from cash deposits. The option for those already receiving the State Pension to buy up to an extra £25 per week remains available until 6th…
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EU Referendum Decision

24/6/16

Most of us went to bed last night reasonably confident that the country had voted to stay in the European Union.   The reality, a few short hours later, is a victory for the Leave campaign and an uncertain future.   However, one thing is certain, we can expect to…
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Property Funds – Pricing Change

15/6/16

A number of UK property funds, including Henderson and M&G, have adjusted the prices of their UK Property Funds reflecting that more money has been leaving the funds than is being subscribed by new investors. All unit trusts do this at times but the effect is more pronounced for Property…
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EU Referendum: just another brick in the wall of worry

30/3/16

No prizes for guessing the issue most clients have wanted to talk about in the past few weeks.As with the Scottish Referendum in September 2014, a vote for change would not mean an overnight change - a period of up to two years of negotiations would ensue to agree an…
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Budget 2016 Update

30/3/16

Thankfully the Budget was very light on significant changes to pensions. It was no surprise to us that the tax free lump sum was untouched but more surprising that tax relief on pension contributions was also unchanged.That seems more likely to be a stay of execution than a lifetime pardon…
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