Illogical

Ifaonline reports that independent financial advisers are a tad peeved with HMRC's stance on pension drawdowns, which may lock people in poor value pension schemes for years in order to avoid a 55% tax penalty.

HMRC had previously assured providers that the rule change relating to a rise in retirement age from 50 to 55, wrt cashing in pension policies, in April "wouldn't be an issue".

The rule change means that those aged 50-54 in unsecured pension schemes (USP) face an unauthorised payment charge of 55%, if they transfer to another pension scheme or annuitise.

HMRC was warned months ago that the new rules were "ambiguous", but issued an assurance that it "wasn't an issue".

Now it seems that it is an issue.

Annuity specialist IFA Billy Burrows is quoted:

"An IFA could well have given a client good advice to take a cash lump sum at 50 and now we find the rules are retroactive and they can't transfer. HMRC makes the job of a financial planner very difficult as its actions fly in the face of logic".

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

What is TAXWISE?

TAXWISE is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Taxwise

Tax Investigation for Dummies, by Nick Morgan, provides a good and easy to read guide for anyone caught up in an HMRC tax investigation. A must read for any Self Assessment taxpayer.

Click the link to read about: Tax Investigation for Dummies

HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"