HMG Law: Solicitors of Oxford.

"An intelligent plan is the first step to success" - Basil S Walsh – 15th August, 2010

The Court of Appeal looks at boundary disputes - again

Wills - when do you need to know what you are doing? – 2nd August, 2010

The Court of Appeal has recently confirmed that a will can be valid where a person had testamentary capacity when giving instructions for the will but not when executing it

28% CGT rate here to stay – 23rd July, 2010

Chancellor indicates 28% CGT rate to stay for this Parliament

Home working – 18th July, 2010

Employers urged by transport minister to allow staff to work one day a fortnight at home

Employment Law - Tribunal popularity – 11th July, 2010

Employers are encouraged to remain vigilant in observing proper procedures as latest tribunal figures are published

Reasonableness and prudence – 11th July, 2010

Is being reasonable different to being commercially prudent?

A fond adieu – 1st July, 2010

The Firm gathered together to bid a fond adieu to Julian Freeland who has retired after some 35 years with the Firm

Property improvements – 3rd June, 2010

You need to keep the invoices for property improvements until six years after the property has been sold

IHT and Farmhouses – 3rd June, 2010

HMRC recently lost a tax case in which they sought to deny agricultural property relief on a farmhouse occupied by an elderly farmer who went into a care home before he died.

Employees' Pension contributions – 2nd June, 2010

If higher rate employees and taxpayers are not required to submit a Tax Return or fail to put the pension payments on their Tax Return, they may pay too much income tax

HIPS to go – 21st May, 2010

The government has announced the end of HIPS

CGT - the changes – 20th May, 2010

The goverment has announced that there will be changes to CGT in the 22nd June emergency budget. What should you do?

Inheritance tax threshold frozen – 22nd April, 2010

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that the £325,000 inheritance tax threshold will be frozen for not only 2010/11 but until 6 April 2015.

Employment Law - new training rights – 3rd March, 2010

A new right to request time off for study or training will come into force on 6th April 2010. The right will initially affect businesses with 250 or more employees and will be extended to cover businesses of all sizes from April 2011.

Employment Law - Paternity Leave – 2nd March, 2010

Employment law - change of rates – 21st December, 2009

As of 1st February the rates of compensation have changed

Subject to contract - clarification – 18th December, 2009

The High Court has clarified when an offer to settle a dispute is effective

Tax Amnesty : Later deadline – 30th November, 2009

HM Revenue & Customs have extended a deadline for their second tax amnesty.

Cohabitees and the right to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 – 27th November, 2009

Cohabitees need to realise that by living with someone they may be giving that person a right to their family’s wealth. Parents also need to consider this if they make gifts to a son or daughter who is cohabiting.

The Taxman’s new interest rates – 25th November, 2009

HM Revenue & Customs have standardised the interest they charge on late-paid tax at base rate + 2.5% and pay on tax repayments at base rate -1%, subject to a floor of 0.5%.

Employment Law: Paternity Leave and Pay – 25th November, 2009

The additional paternity leave and pay régime is due to start in 2011/12. The six months’ paternity leave to which fathers will be entitled during the second six months of their children’s lives is to be unpaid unless....

Inheritance tax valuations – 25th November, 2009

HM Revenue & Customs are having a blitz on valuations for inheritance tax accounts.

New Solicitor in the HMG Oxford office – 16th November, 2009

Well, not that new

Wills & Trust Law : Perpetuities and Accumulations ACT 2009 – 16th November, 2009

The Act received The Royal Assent on 12 November 2009. However the substantive provisions of the Act will not come into force until a commencement order is laid in Parliament by the Lord Chancellor.

Tax changes: 2009 Pre Budget report – 11th November, 2009

The Pre Budget Report will be at 12.30 on Wednesday 9 December.

Property and Personal Assets - minimising taxation. – 6th November, 2009

We will be presenting a seminar at Bonhams showrooms outside Kidllington on the topics of Property and Personal Assets - minimising taxation. The seminar will cover the best solutions to avoid unnecessary inheritance and other taxes whilst achieving your personal aims. There will be a particular focus on the family home and on heritage property.

Autumn Newsletter – 16th October, 2009

Employees’ training costs – 9th September, 2009

There is a wide ranging tax relief for training costs incurred by an employer to provide training for an employee. However usually training costs incurred by an employee are not deductible for income tax purposes but in a recent case tax relief was granted.

Inheritance tax and Business Property Relief – 9th September, 2009

The Tax Tribunals concluded that the deceased's activities of farming and letting out surplus accomodation constituted a single business, so that BPR was available on the capital value of both farming and let properties.

£150,000 tax-free termination payment – 9th September, 2009

In a recent Tribunal decision a substantial payment of over £150,000 to a departing employee was all held to be income tax-free - not limited to £30,000.

A warning to all payers of higher rate income tax – 9th September, 2009

Employees with income of over £40,835 need to inform the inspector of taxes each year of their investment income, including bank and building society interest.

Administration of Estates - additional reasons to obtain Probate promptly – 18th August, 2009

To avoid interest payments, Personal Representatives will have to complete and submit their accounts to HM Revenue & Customs more quickly

Changing Will Provisions – 15th July, 2009

Often beneficiaries execute a “Deed of Variation” in order to vary the terms of the deceased’s Will, but a recent case has highlighted a pitfall.

Pre-nuptial agreements – 8th July, 2009

Support from the Court of Appeal

Caroline Johnson – 30th June, 2009

Partner Caroline Johnson retires

Inheritance tax:Taper relief – 10th June, 2009

IHT taper relief is not generous on lifetime gifts as people believe.

Tax Investigations – 10th June, 2009

Although HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) do open random investigations, they state that the vast majority of taxpayers are chosen for investigation on a risk basis.

Divorce and Wills – 10th June, 2009

Existing Wills are not revoked when a couple get divorced.

Tax relief on cars – 3rd June, 2009

Depreciation rates for tax purposes on cars used in a business changed in April 2009

Businesses need to plan their caoital expenditure – 3rd June, 2009

Planning your capital expenditure will reduce business's tax bills

Tax appeals – 3rd June, 2009

The normal rule is that the prosecution has to prove its case in the Courts in line with the old adage, “you are innocent until proved guilty”.

Trusts, Wills and Letters of Wishes – 2nd June, 2009

If you make a Discretionary trust, you will often write a Letter of Wishes to your trustees to tell the m how it is to be administred.

Visitors to the UK from overseas – 2nd June, 2009

Following a change in Finance Act 2008, almost all visitors to the UK will have complete tax returns of their income for the year to 5 April 2009

Signing your Will – 15th May, 2009

The firm recommends that, whenever possible, you should come into the office to sign your Will.

Gifts to overseas charities – 15th May, 2009

Normally, the UK will give tax relief for charitable donations only if the charity is registered in the UK.

Adverse Possession - defeating the legal owner's title – 23rd March, 2009

The problem of delay in adverse possession cases

Inheritance tax planning and discounted gifts schemes – 10th March, 2009

From 1 February 2009 the valuation rate of interest (the discount rate) has been reduced from 6.75% per annum to 5.25% per annum.

Scam e-mails from the Taxman – 10th March, 2009

H M Revenue & Customs have warned that fraudsters are targeting taxpayers with thousands of scam e-mails.

New Late Filing and other Penalties for companies – 10th March, 2009

Companies House doubles fines.

New Intestacy Rules 10 February 2009 – 10th March, 2009

For deaths after 1 February 2009, the levels of statutory legacy increased where somebody dies without having made a Will.

Pension lifetime allowance notifications deadline – 2nd March, 2009

5 April 2009 is the deadline for notifying H M Revenue & Customs that your pension fund exceeds £1,650,000.

Disability Discrimination – 25th February, 2009

Recent case makes claims harder to bring

Long term sickness entitlements – 3rd February, 2009

Recent ruling from the ECJ will have impact for UK employers

OFT gives guidance to businesses – 8th December, 2008

Competition and consumer protection laws explained

Do you come from abroad? – 8th December, 2008

Tax information

Helen & Douglas House – 25th October, 2008

HMG LAW co-sponsor a dinner at Blenheim Palace

Frank Collingwood and STEP – 6th October, 2008

Frank Collingwood is admitted as a member of STEP

New Intestacy Rules – 17th September, 2008

Changes to legacy provisions

Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday – 8th September, 2008

Stamp Duty Land Tax relief for one year

Sponsoring the Arts – 4th September, 2008

HMG LAW sponsors the Oxford Playhouse and Modern Art Oxford

The case of the wrong house – 2nd September, 2008

Surveyor misled into valuation of wrong house is liable for damages

Fired before you start – 20th June, 2008

What happens if you are fired before you even start?

Return of Mortgage Repossessions – 11th June, 2008

The draft pre-action protocol should help borrowers in trouble

Employment - compromise agreements – 11th June, 2008

Beware the warranty

Hips extends to all properties – 6th April, 2008

All residential properties now covered

The end of the Company Secretary? – 5th April, 2008

Companies Act 2006 changes

The tax man can bug you – 3rd April, 2008

Inteceptions by HM Revenue & Customs

Seminar on proposed taxation of Non-UK Domiciled individuals – 7th February, 2008

Topical issues for Farmers and landowners Seminars – 7th February, 2008

We are planning a seminar on “Topical issues for Farmers and landowners” which will be held in April 2008

Employment – compensation rates increase – 27th January, 2008

Congratulations and Hello – 5th January, 2008

New partners

Finance Act 2007 and Drawdown on Pensions – 20th December, 2007

The Finance Act 2007 introduced a whopping 82% tax charge on funds held in ”drawdown” in a pension scheme when some pensioners die! Read on...

Married couple's IHT allowance – 11th December, 2007

The Chancellor’s has introduced a new married couple’s inheritance tax allowance of £600,000 immediately, rising to £700,000 by 2010/11. As with many such apparently beneficial announcements, the devil is in the detail.

UK Residents from Abroad – 7th December, 2007

The Chancellor announced in his pre-Budget statement that from 6 April 2008, the rules for the remittance basis for non-domiciled individuals who are resident in the United Kingdom are to be amended.

Employment News - I don't like Mondays... – 29th October, 2007

Whilst most employers have given employees an entitlement to public and bank holidays plus 4 (or more) weeks’ holiday, until 30th September this year the law did not require them to do so. Workers were entitled by law to 4 weeks inclusive of public holidays.

Employment News - I don't want holidays... – 29th October, 2007

For those who don’t want to take holiday, the obvious question is whether they can insist on being paid in lieu of holidays.