The Virtual Assistant

Specialising in book-keeping and tax returns for sole traders; also flexible business admin and support. DMs are open - please ask if you need info or advice.

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

Great news - the deadline for buying missing #NationalInsurance to maximise #StatePension has been extended to April 2025. It can be difficult to contact HMRC to arrange this. Don't leave it to the last minute - check your NI payments via your Govt Gateway account now.

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Important: The deadline for buying missing National Insurance years for your state pension back to 2006 has just been extended again to April 2025 (was July 23)

I suspect it isn't a coincidence that this announement comes the day before my @itvMlshow special on it, with the pensions minister coming on, knowing I was going to go hard about people having to call the Future Pensions Service 100s times before they get an answer.

Overall though the extension is very good news, for full help watch the show tomorrow 8pm or read this now... https://t.co/xUQrbufT5V

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@BestForBritain @RhonddaBryant

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@sorrytbh_ @MartinSLewis You need to check what kind of plan you're on - fixed for a year/2yrs etc, or unfixed? Your bill should tell you your plan type.

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

Self-employed? Remember to pay your tax/NI by 31st January. This year there's no penalty if the bill is paid by 1st April, though interest will be charged.

If you are unable to pay in full, you can pay in instalments. Find out more about it at https://t.co/pnCSRNfpGH

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@HMRCcustomers Thank you

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

Today is the deadline for claiming the 5th #SEISS grant - don't miss out if your self-employed business is still affected by COVID. #SEISS

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@AlfieKi52107234 What a nightmare for you! I suggest contacting the leader of the council, and also your MP - they can often be very useful in helping their constituents with things like this.

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@cheapaccounting I suspect that even an extra year won't be enough for HMRC to come up with a robust system.

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

The government has announced a delay to the introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment MTDITSA. It will now be introduced from April 2024.

https://t.co/S9CgS1B24Z

#MTD #MTDITSA

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

Important deadlines if you're self-employed:

Sept 30th - claiming 5th SEISS grant

Oct 5th - registering with HMRC

Make sure you never miss a deadline - subscribe for reminders, info, tips & advice. https://t.co/lkPIlu7Run

#Selfemployed #SEISS #SEISS5 #TaxReturn

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@SuRiley25 @MartinSLewis Yes, that's correct - Class 4 NI is 9% of profit above the threshold (currently £9568) - then 2% over £50,270. By the way, Class 2 NI is no longer paid monthly - it's included in the annual tax calculation done when the tax return is submitted.

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@stevomorgan @HMRCcustomers I've found the only way of getting through is to click through literally as 07:59 changes to 08:00 - even then, you have to be really quick. Don't spend time putting your full name and your question in the boxes which appear - just put . and . and submit.

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

Started self-employment in 20/21? You need to register by 5th Oct to submit your tax return online. There's a few steps to go through, so start now to meet the deadline.

Full briefing available to subscribers. https://t.co/lkPIlu7Run

#SelfEmployed #SelfAssessment #TaxReturn

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

Deadline for claiming the 5th SEISS grant is 30th Sept. If it's your first time applying, remember that you'll need to create a Govt Gateway account, & verify your ID to use it. You can use your passport + a P60/recent payslip, or answer questions on your credit history. #SEISS5

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@eliz61421755 @HMRCcustomers You would only be eligible for SEISS if you were self-employed in the 19/20 tax year (and submitted the tax return for that year by 2/3/21).

[The Virtual Assistant @TheVASupport]

@GoffAccountants 20/21 turnover doesn't actually need to be lower than 19/20 - though if it's higher, the claimant will get 30% of average profits rather than 80%