The UK’s fastest growing Chinese takeaway chain, Hotcha, has appointed the accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson to support its ambitious expansion plans.

Employers of casual harvest workers and beaters to benefit from a useful relaxation in the new payroll rules, announced 17 July.

Included amongst the Budget Day Press releases was an announcement on the removal of SDLT charges where there is a transfer of an interest in a partnership, if the partnership property includes land

There has been a considerable amount written over the past year about the advent of REITs, which come into effect on 1 January 2007.

It is not often that stamp duty land tax (SDLT) hits the front pages – but it certainly did so in the run up to the Budget.

The level of late filing penalties at Companies House were increased for periods beginning on or after 6 April 2008 to coincide with the introduction of parts of the Companies Act 2006.

From 6 April 2012 the lifetime allowance for pension funds will fall from £1.8m to £1.5m. Higher earners have until 5 April 2012 to register for fixed protection of £1.8m.

Welcome to Tax update, which provides a round-up and explanation of the latest tax issues.

The definition of eligible jobholders captures directors and other senior staff who have a contract of employment with the company.

With schemes and employers looking at ways to minimise costs for pension provision, the two key themes for our stand at this year’s National Association of Pension Funds annual conference centre around:

Despite The Times' report of property billionaires soaking up the sun on the Croisette in Cannes, MIPIM this year was cold and wet and it snowed!

"With very little cash to give away, there was some good news for entrepreneurs who will benefit from £2,000 reduction in employers’ NIC and an extension to SEIS for 12 months which will help individuals as well as small businesses receiving the funds. If they also drink beer they will feel cared for!"

"Although the Government has announced its annual clampdown on tax avoidance and evasion and expects to raise an extra £1 bn, unless HMRC can divert staff to this area, it’s unlikely to achieve its aims.

Richard Mannion, national tax director at Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group says:

Higher rate income tax rate slashed in bid to raise more tax receipts Richard Mannion, national tax director at Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group says:

The new tax rules are likely to be based on the existing tax system for UK film producers which is generally thought to have brought about £1billion of investment into the UK last year.

There has been considerable publicity in recent months on the alleged tax avoidance perpetrated by multinationals that has resulted in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) publishing its action plan on base erosion and profit shifting.

In a further bid to support the UK’s creative industries, the chancellor has announced further amendments to the UK film tax relief regime designed to give greater tax incentives on film production expenditure.

Businesses should already be aware that supplies of telecommunication, broadcasting and e-services such as downloaded ‘apps’, music, gaming, e-books and similar services to private consumers located in other EU member states will become subject to VAT in the country of the customer from 1 January 2015.

Earlier in the year, UK residents with Swiss bank accounts were given the choice between subjecting their Swiss assets to a one-off tax payment or authorising their bank to provide details of their Swiss assets to HMRC.