Let our clients tell you about us
Testimonials
The greatest compliment we receive is a client recommendation. Below are just a few of the kind words our clients have shared about working with Shipleys Tax.
The value of a close relationship
“We value the close working relationship we have with Shabeer and the specialist teams at Shipleys Tax and have found them very knowledgeable, friendly and quick to respond to our queries. Shabeer has attended several of our practice meetings and his advice regarding partnership succession issues has been invaluable. I would highly recommend Shipleys to other GP practices.”
Dr Khan, GP Surgery — Yorkshire
Dubai expat return — saved from a £1.2m UK tax bill
“After selling my business in Dubai I was planning to return to the UK the following year. A friend suggested I speak to Shipleys Tax before booking flights and it turned out to be the best decision I made. Shabeer quickly identified that I was about to walk into the temporary non-residence rules and face a UK tax bill in excess of £1 million on gains I had assumed were safely outside the UK net. With their guidance we restructured the timing of my return and my affairs completely legitimately — the tax saving was life changing. I cannot thank them enough.”
Imran — UK Entrepreneur, returning from Dubai
Fixed fee promise and no surprise bills
“One of the most frequent issues we had with our previous accountants was not being made aware, in advance, of the fees to be charged. Shipleys Tax were a breath of fresh air, always completely transparent — and no charges for any phone calls or meetings.”
FM Medical Practice — Manchester
CGT planning for dental practice sale
“Selling the dental practice I had built over 25 years was always going to be emotional, but I wasn’t prepared for the tax complexity. Abdul and the team at Shipleys Tax walked me through every option, explained the capital gains tax implications in plain English, and structured the sale in a way that saved me a significant amount of tax. Their attention to detail and proactive planning made all the difference — I only wish I had spoken to them sooner.”
Kevin — Derby, Dental Practice Owner
Property portfolio incorporation
“After Section 24 mortgage interest changes my buy-to-let portfolio had become a nightmare. I was paying tax on income I was never actually seeing. Shipleys Tax took the time to properly assess whether incorporation made sense for my specific situation — no hard sell, just honest advice. They modelled out ten years of projections, handled the entire restructuring including the SDLT planning, and now my portfolio is fit for the future. Genuine property tax specialists, not just accountants who dabble.”
Rashid — Leeds, Property Investor
Partner-led client service promise
“Accountants seem to promise the earth but don’t deliver do they? Well we found the opposite. Abdul made himself available on so many occasions and even on weekends when we had a really major panic with a sale. Really grateful to him for his advice and foresight. If we needed to talk, they listen. It really is that simple.”
Sabina — JL Healthcare
Inheritance tax mitigation and estate planning
“After losing my husband I was concerned about the inheritance tax exposure on our family estate. Shabeer took the time to properly understand our family situation before recommending anything. The advice I received on IHT mitigation was clear, practical and completely tailored to us — not an off-the-shelf solution. My children and grandchildren are now in a much better position and I have genuine peace of mind. I cannot recommend Shipleys highly enough.”
Louise — Leeds
Family Investment Company succession planning
“My family business had reached a point where I wanted to start bringing my children into ownership without giving up control or triggering a huge tax bill. Shipleys Tax designed and implemented a Family Investment Company structure that achieved everything I needed — I retain voting control, future growth passes to the next generation, and the inheritance tax position is now properly protected. Shabeer took the time to understand our family dynamics as well as the numbers, which was invaluable.”
James — Sheffield, Family Business Owner
GP practice incorporation
“Our GP partnership had been considering incorporation for years but no one could give us a straight answer on whether it was right for us. Shipleys Tax produced a detailed review of our specific circumstances, modelled out the tax savings over five years, and handled the entire incorporation process end to end. The transition was seamless and the tax savings have already exceeded their projections. A genuinely specialist firm that understands GPs.”
Gill — Manchester, GP Practice
HMRC tax investigation defence
“When HMRC opened an enquiry into my company, my existing accountants were completely out of their depth. A colleague recommended Shipleys Tax and within a week they had taken over the correspondence, identified the technical issues HMRC had got wrong, and put together a robust response. The case was closed within months with a fraction of the adjustment HMRC originally proposed. Their calm, experienced handling of what was a genuinely stressful time made all the difference. Having ex-HMRC Inspectors on their team was clearly a huge advantage.”
Dr Ahmed — Manchester, Private Practice Consultant
VAT reclaim for locum doctor agency
“We had been charging VAT on locum doctor supplies for years, assuming HMRC’s position was settled. When Shipleys Tax flagged the Isle of Wight tribunal decision to us, they didn’t just send a generic update — they actually reviewed our contracts, ran the numbers on partial exemption, and built a properly evidenced reclaim. The recovery was substantial and the process was completely painless on our side. The fact they understand both the VAT technical side and the commercial reality of running an agency made all the difference.”
Medical Staffing Agency — Yorkshire
Employee Ownership Trust exit
“I had built my company over 20 years and wanted an exit that looked after my staff rather than selling to a trade buyer who would strip it down. Shipleys Tax walked me through the Employee Ownership Trust route in detail — the pros, the cons, and honestly the complications too. They didn’t just sell me a product. When we went ahead they handled the entire transaction, including the HMRC clearance, and the result was exactly what I had hoped for. The team continues to thrive and my legacy is intact.”
David — Leeds, Business Founder
Going above and beyond
“I came to Shipleys Tax through a personal recommendation, at the time I was in a transitional period. I had already taken some steps towards self-employment, however I had no idea what I was doing and the information I received from others was inaccurate for what I needed. I needed someone to understand and help me resolve all the mess I was creating.
Abdul stepped in just at the right time. He dealt with all the paperwork, as well as giving me valuable advice on how to save tax, which was brilliant. I felt I was looked after, my needs taken care of without me feeling like being a burden.
I would recommend Shipleys to anyone that wants an experienced professional team. They are always eager to help and support your company and offer advice when needed, but above all they are always willing to go over and beyond expectation every time.”
Bella
Latest news & blogs…
BUDGET 2021 – At a glance
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his second Budget of 2021 on 26 Oct 2021 with a focus on increasing spending pledges. Here we summarise the key tax announcements.
As the major tax increases have already been announced earlier this year (increases to rates of corporation tax, NI and dividends) the Budget was extremely light on taxation measures. But the highlights are as follows:
- An overall increase in the national living and national minimum wage rates
- A further extension to the annual investment allowance, which will remain at £1 million until 31 March 2023
- Confirmation that generally unpopular basis period reform will go ahead, with the transitional year in 2023/24, and an automatic spreading mechanism
- A cut in the Universal Credit taper rate from 63% to 55%
- A 50% cut to business rates in 2022/23 for businesses in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors
- An increase in the rate of relief for three cultural activities, including museums and galleries
- A welcome extension of the UK Property CGT reporting deadlines, from 30 days to 60 days
- The announcement that alcohol duty will be heavily simplified.
If you are affected by any of the issues above and would like more information, please call 0114 272 4984 or email info@shipleystax.com.
HMRC starts furlough fraud checks
HMRC have started to open compliance checks into employers’ Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims after sending thousands of “nudge” letters earlier this year advising them that they may need to repay amounts received.
In today’s Shipleys Tax brief we look at what this means and what you should do if you are contacted by HMRC. If you have received correspondence from HMRC and require advice on an investigation or to appeal a penalty assessment, you should seek tax advice as soon as possible to understand your tax position and take necessary action.
What is the compliance check or tax investigation?
The compliance check starts by requesting very detailed information on every employee for which furlough monies were claimed. The letters will not necessarily be sent to the employer’s agent, as not many businesses have an agent for employment tax matters in the same way as for their corporation tax/income tax returns.
The letter gives a short timescale to provide the information to HMRC. If HMRC issues a formal information notice to obtain the data (if it is not provided in response to the informal request, and there is no ‘good reason’ for the delay – this may detrimentally affect the investigation and potentially increase any CJRS penalties charged.
The compliance check starts by requesting very detailed information on every employee for which furlough monies were claimed.
The type and severity of the investigation is completely dependent on the facts of any individual case. HMRC have a specialist unit looking into these claims and you safely assume they will link with other employer compliance units to get the full picture.
It is strongly recommended that you consult a tax lawyer as soon as possible to receive detailed advice on how to take control of the situation and negotiate with HMRC.
What is CJRS/furlough fraud?
There are many ways in which a business could commit furlough fraud or abuse of the CJRS, for example:
- Getting a furloughed employee to return to work as a ‘volunteer’ without pay
- Not paying employees the full amount received from HMRC
- Failure to inform staff that they have been furloughed
- Not paying employees the full amount received from HMRC
- Incorrect calculations and errors in furlough claims
- Employers making backdated claims in periods in which the employee was working
- Employers pretending to hire staff shortly prior to the qualifying period to take advantage of the payments.
It is strongly recommended that you consult a tax lawyer as soon as possible to receive detailed advice on how to take control of the situation and negotiate with HMRC.
What happens if you were not entitled to claim furlough?
If you are found to not have been entitled to the grant in the first place, or have used the funds inappropriately, the payments can be clawed back by way of a 100% income tax charge regardless of whether the claim was made innocently or deliberately.
As such, HMRC will be able to assess the tax due (and thereby impose the clawback) within four years after the grant was made in the case of an innocent error, six years if the error was careless, and twenty years if the claim was fraudulent.
In cases of serious fraud, HMRC may involve the police and prosecute. This might be using legislation which allows the indictment of a company for the facilitation of tax evasion even if senior management was unaware of the offence, unless reasonable preventative measures were in place.
Businesses are therefore required to notify HMRC if they know (or discover) that they have received a grant to which they were not entitled. Penalties and interest will apply for failure to notify and to the repayment clawback.
Expert Tax Investigation Advisers
If you need HMRC Tax Investigation advice, we have experts that are available to aid you at every stage of the HMRC investigation process. Members of our investigation team are ex-HMRC and have first-hand experience and knowledge of the internal workings of HMRC. Our team specialises in successfully challenging HMRC decisions and will assist you in every aspect of the investigation.
If you are affected by any of the issues above and would like more information, please call 0114 272 4984 or email info@shipleystax.com.
Please note that Shipleys Tax do not give free advice by email or telephone.
How to make childcare costs Tax-efficient
PAYING for childcare can be expensive. The tax system, however, can provide somewhat of a helping hand. In recent years, there has been a shift away from tax relief for employer-supported childcare and vouchers to a Government top-up scheme.
In today’s Shipleys Tax brief we quickly cover how it works, who’s eligible and how it can benefit you.
Government scheme
The Government operate a tax-free childcare scheme whereby parents deposit money into an account which can be used to meet childcare costs and the Government provide a tax-free top up.
To qualify for the scheme, the parent (and their partner if they have one) must each expect to earn at least £1,853.28 over the next 3 months. This is equivalent to 16 hours a week at the National Living Wage of £8.91 an hour. However, if either the claimant or their partner expect to have adjusted net income of more than £100,000 in the current tax year, they cannot benefit from the tax-free top up.
The Government operate a tax-free childcare scheme whereby parents deposit money into an account which can be used to meet childcare costs and the Government provide a tax-free top up.
Eligible parents can access the tax-free top up by setting up an online childcare account for their child. For every £8 that is deposited into the account, the Government will add a further £2, to a maximum of £2,000 a year (or £4,000 a year where the child is disabled). The funds can be used to provide approved childcare, including that provided by childminders, nurseries, nannies, after-school clubs and playschemes, as long as the provider has signed up to the scheme. The care can be provided until the September after the child’s 11th birthday (or up to the child’s 17th birthday if the child is disabled).
The Government top-up scheme is not available to universal credit claimants, and cannot be used in addition to employer-provided vouchers or employer-supported care.
Employer-supported childcare and childcare vouchers
Where an employee joined their employer’s childcare or childcare voucher scheme on or before 4 October 2018, they can continue to benefit from the associated tax relief while their employer continues to operate the scheme. Childcare vouchers and/or employer supported childcare are tax-free up to the employee’s exempt amount. Where the employee is a basic rate taxpayer or joined the scheme prior to 6 April 2011, the exempt amount is £55 per week. Otherwise the exempt amount is £28 per week where the employee is a higher rate taxpayer and £25 per week where the employee is an additional rate taxpayer. The exemption also applies for National Insurance purposes. Employees only have one exempt amount for employer-supported care and vouchers, regardless of the number of children that they have.
It is also possible for employer-provided childcare and childcare vouchers to be made available under a salary sacrifice scheme without triggering the alternative valuation rules.
Where the employee is a basic rate taxpayer… the exempt amount is £55 per week. Otherwise the exempt amount is £28 per week where the employee is a higher rate taxpayer and £25 per week where the employee is an additional rate taxpayer.
Workplace nurseries
No tax charge arises under the benefit in kind rules where childcare is provided in a workplace nursery. Unlike the exemption for employer-supported care and vouchers, there is no cap on the value of childcare that can be provided tax-free in a workplace nursery. However, there are stringent conditions that must be met for exemption to be forthcoming.
Which is best?
Where a parent could potentially benefit from more than one scheme, they should evaluate the options and can choose the one best suited to their needs. Employees in an employer-supported scheme or employer voucher scheme will need to leave that scheme if they sign up for the Government scheme, and will not be able to re-join the employer’s scheme if they change their minds.
If you are affected by any of the issues above and would like more information, please call 0114 272 4984 or email info@shipleystax.com.
Please note that Shipleys Tax do not give free advice by email or telephone.
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