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Lease Auditing Now Available
Leasing can drive business growth but poorly structured contracts may include hidden fees, unfair terms, or excessive commissions, posing risks to businesses. Whether it's aesthetics or office equipment, reviewing Lease Agreements carefully is crucial to avoid financial pitfalls.
Our expert, with over 30 years in the UK leasing industry, uses insider knowledge to help businesses save costs. We offer a no-risk, fully compliant audit: if we can't save or recover money for you, there’s no fee. Dr David Eccleston, founder of MediZen, has praised our independent Lease reviews for saving his clinic tens of thousands of pounds.
Autumn Budget Changes
National Insurance (NI) contributions for employers will rise by 1.2% to 15%, with the NI threshold reduced to £5,000. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates will increase to 18% for basic-rate and 24% for higher-rate taxpayers, while gains on business assets will be taxed at 14% from April 2025, rising to 18% by 2026.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds are frozen until 2030, with new 20% rates on business and agricultural assets over £1 million. Stamp duty on second homes will rise to 5%, and VAT on private school fees, along with the removal of rates relief, is expected to raise £1.8 billion. These measures represent a tightening on tax obligations for assets and high-value transactions.
We've Moved!
Our new office address is The Curious Guys Limited, Chapel House, Leicester Road, Loughborough, LE11 2AF. Why not get in touch to come and visit?
Chapel House is an extra ordinary conversion to the highest standards of a Victorian, Gothic Revival style building, originally designed by Bellamy and Hardy in 1850. In Nicholas Pevsner's Buildings of Leicestershire and Rutland they were described as the finest in the County.
We're delighted to be settled in our new home!
Shielding your Assets
The team here at The Curious Guys is pleased to announce that our sister company, Oak Shields Estate Planning Limited, has launched. Oak Shields offers:
Estate Planning: whether you are looking to create or update your Will, set up Lasting Powers of Attorney or more, the Oak Shields team is fully qualified to assist.
Secure Document Storage: The Oak Shields team can keep your Wills, LPAs, and other essential Estate Planning documents safe for when your family needs them in fire-proof and tamper-proof facilities.
The Curious Guys endorses Oak Shields to support our clients and we believe that all of our clients should give urgent consideration to these services to protect themselves in the event of death or incapacitation.
Call 01530 446531, email hello@oakshields.co.uk or visit www.oakshields.co.uk to find out more.
Death Grants (BSP)
Death Grants are a very niche and under-utilised resource that the majority of the UK are unaware of. If an individual passes away under their pensionable age, their next-of-kin can apply for a Grant of up to £2500 to help with funeral costs and other expenses. This grant is paid by the Government within 72 hours and is a simple process for the next-of-kin to undertake. Furthermore, if eligible, the next-of-kin could also receive 18 payments of £350.
The next-of-kin could be eligible if their partner:
- Paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year
- Died under the “Pensionable Age”.
HMRC: Million Pound Blunder!
HMRC has recently acknowledged that it over-estimated the Glasgow Rangers' tax bill by £50 million. Additionally, the Revenue has also lost a tribunal against the Cobalt Scheme where £263 million worth of trading losses have been deemed as acceptable.
These events, along with the Loan Charge Review, are a reminder to the public of how sometimes HMRC can make mistakes!
