Views

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

New Dividend Tax Rules

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…

Inheritance tax rises to record levels

HMRC have just released details of how much inheritance tax (IHT) they have taken from the estates of deceased UK individuals and the total last year soared by 22%, to an all-time record level of £4.6 billion.Since 2009-10, the amount taken in IHT has increased on average by 12% each…

Retirement Income: State Pension Top-ups still available

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…

Marriage Allowance could save £220 in income tax

Couples where one partner is a basic rate taxpayer and one is a non-taxpayer can benefit by transferring 10% of the non or low-earning spouse’s personal allowance to the other. You are eligible if:you’re married or in a civil partnershipyou don’t earn anything or your income is under £11,000your partner’s…

EU Referendum Decision

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…

Property Funds – Pricing Change

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…

EU Referendum: just another brick in the wall of worry

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…

Budget 2016 Update

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…

Autumn Statement – 25th November

The Chancellor will deliver his Autumn Statement on 25th November. Having announced radical overhauls of pension rules, inheritance tax and the taxation of dividend income in the last eighteen months, will Mr Osborne allow the dust to settle before making further changes? We will update our 'News and Views' pages…

New Adviser joins Autonomy Wealth Limited

We are very pleased to announce that Craig Evans, Chartered Financial Planner, joined Autonomy Wealth on 2nd November.Craig spent 11 years working at Torquil Clark where he worked alongside Nigel, Chris and the rest of the Autonomy Wealth team. He is a highly experienced adviser with a particular focus on…