Topic: Uncategorized

Property Income

Tax-free extra income

By signing up to the ‘rent a room’ scheme, not only could you enjoy the extra income from the rent, but also up to £4,250 a year is free from tax. ‘Rent a room’ relief is an optional scheme that lets you receive up to this amount in rent each year from a lodger, tax-free. This only applies if you rent out furnished accommodation in your own home.

Residential property reforms

Buyers benefit from a tax-free
bracket and incremental steps up

The change to residential property Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) announced in the Autumn Statement 2014 will make the process fairer for the majority of homebuyers. The new rules started on 4 December last year, and these changes apply to you if you are buying a home in the UK for over £125,000.

Financial fibbing

Telling ‘white lies’ about money and salary

Almost half of British adults (48%) have ‘fibbed’ when it comes to their finances. The research shows that from a given list, Britons would be most likely to tell financial ‘white lies’ to their partner than anyone else (15%), according to a survey from Standard Life.

Dawn of a New Year

What will feature in your top New Year’s resolutions?

As we enter a New Year, setting clear goals is critical for the success of any financial resolutions. Year after year, achieving financial health and wealth is likely to feature in your Top 10 New Year’s resolutions. So what should you consider?

Rise of the part-time landlord

Letting properties on the side boosts income

Britain is seeing a boom in ‘part-time’ landlords where people are letting properties on the side to boost their main income, according to new research from LV= landlord insurance.

Class of 2014 expectations

What are the hopes of last year’s university leavers?

2014’s university leavers expect to have bought their first home by the age of 30, according to research published by Endsleigh. The research also reveals that, by the age of 30, the university leavers also expect to be married (average age 29), established in their career (average age 27) and to have a child (average age 30).

What’s your magic number?

The first concise picture of current and changing sources of retirement income

Current retirees are satisfied with 47% of pre-retirement income according to a recent report that reveals those approaching retirement are expecting to receive £23,700 per year when they retire. The Retirement Income Uncovered report by Old Mutual Wealth also shows that the average income in retirement today is currently just £19,000 – a shortfall of £4,700 per year, or 25%.

New pension freedoms

How future retirees may take advantage of their pension lump sums

Research showing how retirees use their pension lump sums to pay off debt provides an insight into to how pension cash unlocked following the new freedoms available from 6 April 2015 could be used.

Gender gap closing

Report shows the proportion of people preparing adequately for retirement is on the up

The number of women saving adequately for retirement has shifted from a record low to a four-year high in the last 12 months, according to Scottish Widows’ annual Women and Retirement Report.