Page 27 - link magazine

NEWS & VIEWS
27
Tax changes mean advice is a good idea Inheritance tax is essentially a
tax on death and is charged on
Tax is becoming more and more married pensioners with the special Caroline has been working in her estates over £118,000 at a 40% tax
complicated and the tax saving changes being introduced for the home town of Swindon for a local rate. With today's property values
opportunities have been reduced over-65's but again planning ahead finn for the last eight years prior to in West Swindon, even allowing
considerably by successive Budgets is very important. setting up her own business. for the recent decline, this tax is
in recent years. There will be one drawback In Caroline can advise on all aspects obviously going to affect the
However, the radical changes early April twice as many tax of income tax, capital gains tax, and majorityofus soonerorlater! There
due in April for husbands and returns will be dropping through also inheritance tax, a tax which is are ways, however, of lessening
wives will help redress the situation our letter boxes as these will in often overlooked until it is too late. the burden for your beneficiaries,
for many married couples. future be issued to wives as well as Caroline Ockwell and again, although no-one likes to
It is estimated that approxima tely husbands. On the one hand a think about such morbid topics,
two million people will gain from victory for equality, but on the other planning ahead can save a lot of
the new rules, but many married hand a task which no-one relishes! headaches for your children. After
couples will need to plan in advance Caroline Ockwell has recently all, it is your family who you wish
to maximise the non-automatic established her own taxation to benefit from your lifetime
gains to be realised. These gains consultancy business in Swindon savings, not the Inland Revenue!
can be substantial and will be of a which can offer advice on how to For further advice, Caroline can
recurring nature. reduce your tax bill and also be contacted on Swindon 725919
Careful consideration should be undertake the onerous task of Remember 5 April will soon be
given to the way in which dealing with all the tedious upon us!
investments are held between paperwork and checking that the
husband and wife to enable the taxman has got his sums right!
wife to use her own personal Caroline has had twenty years'
allowance. There will also be experience in the taxation field and
greater flexibility for mortgage became an Associate of thelnstitute
interest relief even where the of Taxation in 1975. She has worked
mortgage is in the name of one forinternational accountants, Grant
spouse only. Thornton, and also one of the oldest
There will be considerable established firms of chartered
advantages to be gained by many accountants in the City of London.

Worried about the Poll Tax? It's nearly here.

A lot of people are still confused about what effect the Poll Taxis going to have on their lives. Jean
Kiddie of the Toothill Advice Centre explains how you can pay It or what might happen If you don't.
She also asks whether you are entitled to a rebate.
The Toothill Advice Point has a her deserting husband's unpaid payment. The non payer can ask
large stock of leaflets, produced by Poll Tax, and vice-versa. the Court to write off the arrears,
Thamesdown LawCentre, explain- It is also worth pointing out that butthis cannotbeasked tountilthe LOSE WEIGHT
ing some of the problems people if one monthly instalment has been Council applies to commit the non QUICKLY AND SAFELY
may be facing regarding paying missed, the right to pay by instal- payer to prison. FOR SPRING
the Poll Tax. ments is lost, and the remainder of Could you qualify for a rebate? Call your Counsellor
The individual Poll Tax can be the full year's Poll Tax becomes There will be many more people Glenis at
paid in 10 monthly instalments payable. If no payment is made, entitled to a Poll Tax rebate than
arrive
from April to January, or in one the Council must apply to the those at present qualifying for a C
yearly lump sum in advance. Magistrates Court for a Liability rate rebate, so if you think you tt)
Thamesdown Council rent collec- Order against the non payer. might be entitited to a Poll Tax A.
tors have as yet no plans to collect After a Liability Order has been rebate, rebate forms can be obtained
the Poll Tax from council house made, the Council can require the from Toothill Advice Point, Tooth- T re
tenants paying rent, which means person to hand over "relevant in- ill Community Centre, or West
you will either have to go to the formation", which can include Swindon Advice Point, 15 Gains- Mondays to Thursdays
Civic Offices in town once a month details of employment, sources of borough Way, Freshbrook. Or just I0.30am-2.30pm. Swindon 693875
to pay your bill, send it by post, or income, savings, etc. On this infor- write to Thamesdown Council,
pay by Direct Debit if you have a mation, the Council can decide on Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swin- ibrIdQe
bank account. a number of options:- don and ask for a Poll Tax Rebate
The Poll Tax leaflet briefly ex- Attachment of Earnings, or de- form.
plains about "Transitional Relief" - ductions from Income Support, or
which could affect some pension- distraint - that is sending in the V iewrite T.V.
ers and disabled people, who were Bailiffs to seize personal posses-
not former rate payers, nor rent sions and putting them up for sale.
payers, or the partners of former (It may be difficult to prove who NO CALL OUT CHARGE
rate payers or rent payers. Transi- owns certain belongings in the
tional Relief will also be available household as these could be jointly
to people whose Poll Tax bill will owned, when only one person has lJ Repairs to most makes of
be substantially higher than their not paid the Poll Tax, or gifts given
Rates bill. to over 18 year olds, etc). T.V. & Video
Parents will not be liable for non If the Council has tried distraint Sales of 7','ew & Ex-rental
payment of Poll Tax by their "over without success, it can apply to the
18 year olds" living in the house - Court to have the non payer com- cr.V.s & Videos
Rentals
but, couples are liable for any ar- mitted to prison. This is only al- Ll T.V.
rears that their partner might run lowed if failure to pay is due to
up following a separation, or split "wilful refusal or culpable neglect". Ll All Sales & Repairs Guaranteed
up of the matrimonial home, which The maximum sentence is 3 months,
means a wife with no income of her but liability to pay the Poll Tax Tel: 486872 OR 541679
own, could be held responsible for continues whilst in prison for non