2009/2010 Tax Planning
Friday, January 29th, 2010
It s not very long before the close of the tax year nears. It is vitally important to make the most of any allowances and tax breaks that are available.
By using the annual allowances and exemptions you will reduce your tax bill substantially. This can usually be done quick and easily with the advice of a financial adviser.
Tax effective investing
Individual savings accounts
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs). If you are aged over 50 your Isa allowance for the current tax year is now £10,200. ISA’s are free from capital gains tax, can be used to provide an income and are one of the most tax efficient investments that can be used
Pensions
Pensions are also a tax efficient way of planning for retirement. Most people can pay in up to £3600 gross each year and obtain basic rate tax relief on the contribution made. Forty percent taxpayers can claim the balance on their self assessment.
Capital Gains Tax Planning
If you have made gains on certain types of investments you may be able to use your yearly capital gains tax allowance. This will allow you to make gains up to this threshold without getting a liability to pay tax. In some cases it is also possible to carry forward past year’s losses.
Income Tax Planning
Each individual can receive a personal allowance of £6475.00 without incurring any income tax. For espoused couples or civil partnerships, where one is a 40% taxpayer it is worthwhile looking to see who owns the investments and perhaps look to transfer assets into the
basic rate taxpayers name.Making annual gifts is also a means of keeping down your liability to income tax.
Saving IHT
An individual can give an IHT exempt gift each year of up to 3,000 in a tax yr. Any unused allowance can be carried forward for one year only. If you are capable to make gifts out of income without it affecting your standard of living you might be allowed to make gifts above the yearly exemption level.
If you believe your estate could be in excess of the Inheritance Tax nil rate band then effective tax planning can be applied to bring down your estates possible inheritance tax liability. This could be a appropriately drafted will or alternatively trust planning.
Consilium Asset Management are Financial Advisors based in Bristol, South Gloucestershire.
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