| Improvements Announced to State Pension Scheme |
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| January 2009 |
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| The DWP announced last week that the Government is proposing an amendment to the Pensions Bill which will allow some people to make up to six additional years of voluntary (Class 3) NI contributions in addition to those permitted under existing time limits. |
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| Intestacy Rules |
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| January 2009 |
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| The Ministry of Justice has announced an increase in the amount of the statutory legacy on intestacy. The statutory legacy is the amount which an individual is entitled to receive from the estate of their husband, wife or civil partner where the individual has not made a Will. |
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| Bank of England Reduces Bank Rate by 0.5% |
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| January 2009 |
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| The Bank of England reduced the bank rate by 0.5% to 4.5% with effect from 8 October 2008. |
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| Shopping on the Internet |
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| January 2009 |
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| HMRC have updated their guidance on buying goods on the internet explaining when duty and / or VAT will need to be paid. |
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| Gift Aid Form Amended |
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| January 2009 |
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| HMRC have updated their model Gift Aid declaration form for charities and community amateur sports clubs to reflect the reduction in the basic rate of tax from 22% to 20% from the beginning of this tax year. |
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