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Accountants PKF has published its latest edition of 'Current tax developments' summarising the main changes to tax legislation and explaining how they will affect both business and personal tax payers.
Trusts
The main area of change to affect many families is that of trusts which are used by many as a practical device to protect income and assets and when drafting wills. Many new trusts will now be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT) at a rate of 20 per cent for all lifetime transfers into the trust; an IHT charge will be levied at a rate of six per cent every ten years on the value of the trust above the IHT threshold; and an exit charge may also be payable when the assets leave the trust. These changes mean that many taxpayers should now revisit their wills and any other form of estate planning to review whether current trust arrangements should be changed.
The only encouraging news for investors is the introduction of real estate investment trusts (REITs) which will create tax-transparent vehicles for investment in rental property. Already, four of the largest property companies, Hammerson, Liberty International, Land Securities and British Land have announced that they will convert to REITs when the legislation is brought in next year.
Stealth taxes
Peter Penneycard, National Director of Tax at PKF, said: "This year's Finance Bill will have a major impact on the majority of taxpayers – most of whom will not thank the Chancellor for his determination to avoid a straightforward rise in tax rates only to rake in more tax revenue through complex stealth taxes.
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"There is a huge gap between fraud and tax planning but the Government's attitude is that they are merely different sides of the same coin."
The 40 page booklet is available to download from the PKF website.
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Susie Hughes © Shout99.com 2006
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