It’s good to see things returning to normal in politics. I refer, of course, to the spat developing in the Reform Party, the one that we were beginning to fear were the official opposition.

So now we have the leader being accused of being a Messianic figure, and insults being traded between him and 20% of his MP’s (ok, ok, I know that’s just ‘one’)

Mud is being being thrown, accusations being made. Tit for tit. Where will it all end ?

It got me thinking, why is he being called ‘Messianic’ ? I mean, there are some similarities but many more differences. Jesus ascended to heaven, the nearest Farage got was in a plane which, er, crashed...

And, so far as I know, none of the disciples ever had accusations of bullying or expense fiddling made against them. Although I suppose the thirteenth one had some suspect morals…

Maybe the closer parallel can be found in Monty Python.

I therefore propose a remake (or at the very least a rename). Readers, I give you ‘Life of Nigel’

And if anyone hears the party chair this week saying ‘He’s not the Messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy’ remember, you read it here first.

Enough I hear you weep, what positives are there in the world of Quove….

George isn’t buying a new double cab pickup – For those that don’t know what a double cab pickup is, they are the vehicles which stop you getting your car door open at Tesco’s

Historically these have been treated as commercial vehicles rather than cars which give major tax advantages. Which is why they have been so popular with company directors, if not shoppers.

HMRC don’t like these, have been trying to change the rules for a while, and are succeeding on 6^th April.  The tax treatment, (if not the parking) will be in line with cars. But only for vehicles that are ordered after 6^th April. On order before then, even if not delivered, the old rules continue until April 2029.

George liked that idea, but he is the type of person who keeps an eye on used vehicle prices. He’s noticed that since the announcement in October last year the prices seem to have risen to reflect the demand. In his opinion, by more than the tax saving.

He predicts that with everyone who was likely to buy a new truck in the next two years buying one now, that the prices will soon drop faster than Nigel Farage in a Cessna. Knowing George as I do, I wouldn’t bet against him.

Of course, George could take a Leaf out of Mildred, his wife’s book. Mildred has just bought an electric car – these still have the same tax benefits as ever (buy new you get a full capital allowance, provide to an employee/director and there is negligible benefit in kind), although they are now liable for road tax.  

And lastly, Lisa (name changed) has received a tax refund. So what, I hear you say, so I'll explain.  

In fact I'll pose a question, What were you doing five years ago ? You're probably thinking lockdown, vaccines, sanitiser, facemasks, no holidays, etc. or even the first edition of The Positive Accountant.  

I'm thinking about Lisa's CGT return on residential property that we completed in 2020.

When you make a return within (then 30) now 60 days you have to estimate certain things, and pay the estimated tax. Then when completing the actual tax return at the end of the tax year you check whether you have paid the right amount of tax, pay any extra plus interest, or claim a refund.

Lisa's return fell into the latter category. Except the refund never arrived.

Every month for four and a half years we've rung HMRC to chase the tax repayment. We have complained, complained again, escalated the complaint so many times it is now in orbit.....you get the picture.

Six months ago Lisa received a refund....for a pound. Did I mention that the refund due was into four figures ? Should I mention the language that was forthcoming on this occasion ?

You'll now understand why I see the full repayment arriving last week to be such a huge, positive thing. It really shouldn't be this difficult. But a good note to finish on.

Incidentally did you know that Sunday was National Quilting Day. Needle less to say, we had sew much fun…

Categories: Positive Accountant