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969453
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 22/02/2010 at 01:21
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Ever since I started work, back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, I have had a tax code issued to me at about this time of year. And again round about April / May after the chancellor gets up on his hind legs and changes the allowance in the budget. Now it may be this year that he says, hard luck there's no increase but, putting aside such speculation, why does HMRC go to the trouble and expense of issueing tax codes BEFORE the budget only to do it all again AFTER?
It couldn't be that they have nothing better to do so they make some work up could it?
JH
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Who knows the way their minds work at HMRC.
I applied for a tax rebate early in December 09. I've had three letters from three different people saying how much they're going to send me and that they're sending it.
Still no cheque!
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You might end up with three cheques though...:-)
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I've not noticed the pattern you describe. Perhaps your circumstances are different from mine. Tax codes are changed as and when necessary for each individual. There are millions of people to be dealt with, so it stands to reason that they can't all have a change of tax code simultaneously.
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Tax codes are issued every time there is a change in your circumstances. So after you submit your tax return. Then again when the Chancellor stands up.
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""Tax codes are issued every time there is a change in your circumstances.
Not in my experience. I get (at least) one each year. My wife does too. I've had four so far this year for 2010 / 11, all wrong. I'm told a fifth is "in the post". That was ten days ago.
JH
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I've had four so far this year for 2010 / 11 all wrong.
If you think your tax code is wrong, just ring your HMRC office. A transiently incorrect tax code won't matter in the long run, because future tax codes will rectify any tax overpaid/underpaid. If you really want to make sure you've paid the right amount of tax, then fill in a self assessment form. Since I retired I've filled one in every year. You can do it online if you prefer, and you can also check yourself whether you're paying the right tax.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/check-right-tax.htm
www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/forms/content.htm
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While it's true that it sorts itself out in the long run, I was due £900 back this year - it's usually around the same amount - which is a nice little "surprise". But I had the opposite a few years back - I owed £2k (albeit due to a mistake on my part) and not everyone can rustle up that kind of money.
Nearly every year since I started work I have always been asked to complete a return, have done self assessment for as long as it has been around, and I also get a string of updated codes.
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Further to my last post. . .
The standard advice is to ask your neighbours what grows well in your area. (You could also try googling!)
One that I find works pretty well is Elaeagnus ebbingei.
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As you may know there are some 'issues' at present where, for eg, a lot of people are receiving notice of next year's coding with all their allowances removed and are being issued 'BR' coding, meaning taxed at basic rate, no allowances. This is easly fixed via the HMRC helpline on 0845-3000-627.
However......... here's my query. I have a pension, correctly taxed at 20% BR, but I also have 'normal' employment, also correctly taxed at prevailing 20% rate applied on nett amount, ie after allowances.
But... if I add the 2 incomes together and deduct the allowances from that total the 'nett' figure takes imy 'nett' income into an area where the higher 40% rate normally prevails, but this isn't happening and I'm still taxed on the lower 20% rate. Should I be concerned or is it just how it works out ?
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Incumbent on you to fill out self assessment form, and pay any extra tax due. HMRC likely to get pretty upset if they find out one day and start investigating....!
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Typically you need a minimum income of approx £48K to pay 40%
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Typically you need a minimum income of approx £48K to pay 40%
Not sure where you get that sum from. The higher tax rate starts at £37,400. And if like in my case your BiK eats up most of your personal tax allowance and with little to offset tax against I got there pretty quickly
To answer the OP, I too am now paying a flat 20% on my pension. I assume that if and when i get a job the pesnion and salary get lumped together for taxable purposes, but I stand to be corrected on that,
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AE, quite right - you have one allowance and then one band @ BR etc.
The tax code/PAYE system has the benefit of simplicity but it's still anchored in the paradigm of one man one job. If you have multiple sources of income you're almost bound to end up completing a return.
Edited by Bromptonaut on 17/02/2010 at 22:37
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We may in the near future be looking at a kitchen extension (subject to buying the house). Since the changes to planning rules in October 2008, I understand for the type of extension we want planning permission is not needed. We can build using a 'building control' order (or whatever the terminology is).
The extension would be to the rear of the property, extending no more than 1.5 metres to the rear and to the side (drive). The road is at the front of the property and it is not in a conservation area.
So would you do as 'building control' or proper planning permission? Is there a difference apart from not needing to wait the 6-8 weeks for planning permission to be granted?
I ask because searching the council website there are people with planning permission that the rules say didn't need it.
Ta
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When I was considering something like this two years ago the rule was that an extention of 10% of the floor area (both/all floors) does not need planning permission but that building regulations had to be observed. The latter would probably include keeping to building lines, neighbour's privacy, party walls etc. Try asking Jeff ("Ask Jeff" column, Saturday or Sunday Daily Telegraph).
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Thanks Bintang. I will ask there too. I know there are builders on here so hoped they'd respond.
I'm only looking at single storey and around 3 feet towards neighbours property so not on boundary.
A bit scary buying a house and then knowing you need to spend around £40k on it* but could end up saving money compared to the house we were planning on buying. There goes by Aston Martin fund.
* Most on extension and new kitchen... then rewiring if needed, new boiler and then decorating throughout.... and some nice to haves.
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I know there are builders on here so hoped they'd respond.
Gis a chance Chap!!
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Quite happy for you to 'run' bits past me especially if you think the Builder is 'at it'!!
MD
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Planning Permission and Building regulation are like Lion and Zebra.
A property has permitted development rights, (if for some reason they haven't been removed) OR (some of those rights have been 'used up' on previous projects).
I never remember the correct web addresses but just google something like planning.org and it will get you somewhere near a Government site. They all seem good to be fair, very informative etc. It seems quite relaxed these days.
Building Regulation takes two forms. You either submit some 'technical' drawings outlining your methods/materials or you submit a Building Notice advising our Master's of commencement and proceed accordingly. That is the way I always go on smaller projects.
As a tip I always get the Building inspector 'onside' at the start even if i have been at it for over 30 years.
HTH.........................Martin.
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Thanks MD. I had found the site. Before I started looking at this I thought I needed planning permission. I'd ask you around if this was not NW and not near you ;-)
If we don't need planning permission is there a downside. I think it is within what the new legislation permits. A building control notice is about £280 I am told. I could buy in 4 weeks and have builders start soon after. I thought the delay could be 6-8 weeks in getting planning permission.
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Thanks MD. I had found the site. Before I started looking at this I thought I needed planning permission. I'd ask you around if this was not NW and not near you ;-)
If it is Permitted D then start after submitting the Building notice.
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When I had a garage built to replace a smaller sectional job, I was in a grey area of not really knowing if I needed planning permission. I decided to go for the planning permission as the extra cost was only a small percentage of the whole job and there could be no disputes when it was done.
I found out after the job was completed that you don't have to go through the local council building control. There are independant companies that perform the same function. I was chatting to a guy that did this independantly and he assured me that a cheaper alternative to the 2.8m footings the council insisted on could have been found.
Any comments from those in the trade?
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Every job on it's merits. Invariably never as it sounds. Council no financial axe to grind.
Who knows.
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My reasons for raising this is not cost. I buy house for £x and then want to do the kitchen before we can move in due to size and the nature of the job. Planning permission pushes back the work. No permission required = live in house up to 6-8 weeks earlier.
I know it's not that simple. If a BR is a good builder, architect or can recommend either then let me know.
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Take some photos and a sketch with measurements and pop in to the local planning office and ask. They are generally pretty helpful types.
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I know there are one or two keen Amazon buyers who visit the HJ forum from time to time and I wonder if they find Amazon "recommendations" a source of entertainment and amusement, rather than a useful function, as I do?
For instance I've just been recommended the DVD "Forbidden Planet". Because I bought a AA battery charger about a year ago! I've previously been recommended Canon inks. Because I bought a Canon scanner!
I think the software needs a bit more work!
JH
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I once visited Amazon using my work laptop (From work) and got recommended some semi-explicit type items by mistake. Not based on my history at all!! Buyer beware on a work computer!!!
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I get showers of promotional emails offering free samples of Viagra and what might be called equipment upgrades (cost unspecified): 'Turn your family jewels into the Russian Imperial Collection' so to speak.
I don't care whether people believe me or not, but I have never as far as I can remember purchased anything of this sort over the counter, let alone on line. Nevertheless shotgun marketing directed at males past their first youth produces these things, in showers like the Perseid meteors. They just press a few buttons and your name and email address come up on a list with hundreds of thousands of others. They know there will be a percentage of takers.
Clever as a cartload of monkeys, our species, and just about as subtle and civilised.
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My reference was to visiting Amazon and being shown this sort of thing though. Erotic type media is available on Amazon.
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It wasn't there plastic duck "toy" was it rtj ?
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I had to research some rubber products for work a while back. You should see what Amazon thinks I should look at now!
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SWMBO suggested it was something she'd quite like the idea of having done, prior to starting a diet (will it have any benefit ??) - surely some BR'S have experienced this - whats it like, was it worth while and what sort of cost is involved and any recommended places within M25 junc 11 area
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Having had a colonoscopy for medical reasons it's not something I'd volunteer to or want to repeat!
I certainly wouldn't bother before a diet. If she wants to lose weight a 10 minute visit to the GP will be a better option (and it is free). Losing weight isn't rocket science (despite what the web says) and it doesn't have to cause anxiety in monitoring what you eat etc.
Reduce fat intake to about 35g per day (12g per meal) and do regular exercise.
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Wotspur - J11? Ah you live near me. Drop the wife round here and I will get the karcher fired up. A mere 50 quid to you - mates rates.
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I know the Humax PVR is popular with members of the backroom so can someone explain something to me?
I understand that my 9300T model has twin tuners. The other evening I managed to record two programmes at once whilst watching a third live broadcast.
I was watching BBC1 whilst recording BBC2 and Channel 5. All three channels were definitely digital through the Humax.
How did I manage that with only two tuners? Is it something to do with both of the BBC channels being on the same MUX, not that I am clear what a MUX is?
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Two tuners in the Humax and one in the TV = three, you were using all of them.
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It is related to them being on the same MUX. Unless as said above you were watching the third on a TV with built in tuner.
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No edit button yet! You could have been recording from the TV tuner and one Humax tuner and watching the other Humax tuner, or any combination you choose.
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No, as I said in my original post all reception was through the Humax.
Interestingly if I switched from watching BBC1 to say ITV1 then the system told me it was not possible. That's why I thought is was something to do with the fact that two of the channels were BBC.
I don't really know what a MUX is. Is it something to do with the way associated channels are banded together?
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Its because the channels are multiplexed (mixed) onto a single frequency (known as the mux)
Your box has two tuners, so it can recieve two muxs at once. If you choose to record two channels on the same mux, you have a spare tuner free to watch another at the same time. (or if you watch one channel and record another on the same mux, you have a spare tuner free to record another channel from another mux at the same time)
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Like AE says.
The list of what channels are on what muxes is here:-
www.dtg.org.uk/industry/dtt_channels.html
FWIW using a USB Freeview tuner and PC based SW it is possible to record all channels from 1 mux simultaneously; I must admit I've never found a practical application for this and it eats HDD space very quickly!
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I had also wondered this. I have the Humax Foxsat HD PVR which does the same. When recording two channels, if you press channel up/down, mine will skip the channels you cant watch and only show the ones you can. This means I dont need to consult lists of muxes.
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Having waited for the standards to be settled, the media wars to be won, it looks like we will have quite a few years of technical stability in the area of HDTV. Freeview HD sets and PVRs will be on the shelves shortly.
So its time for AE to jump into the water, dump the huge 26inch CRT tele and go Flat screen and 1080p HD tele.
Now the question is, Freesat or Freeview. I have no sky dish but quite happy to stick one up and point it at the right god, I also have a good strong signal from freeview at crystal palace. Whats better, Freeview or Freesat?
so does the team think
1/ TV with freeview tuner, and new HD Freesat PVR?
2/ TV with freeview tuner, and new HD freeview PVR?
3/ TV with HD freeview tuner, use existing SD freeview PVR
4/ TV with HD freesat Tuner and existing SD Freeview PVR?
So many combos!
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I think Panasonic will be amongst the first with a Freeview HD Plasma (or three). But costs over £1000! Does have 600Hz motion-blur wizardry etc.
There are very few programmes in HD on Freeview to start with. I would think there could be more on Freesat but the bulk are still only on Sky.
Knowing standards, I think I'd personally get a good full HD TV and add an HD box to it.
Also important is the quality of upscaling SD to full HD. The bulk of what you watch will still be SD. I know you know that most of the Freeview channels will still be Standard Definition but just making sure others know that not all the channels via a Freeview HD box will be high definition. Same goes for Freesat.
I've got the basic channels in HD via Virgin Media. But BBC HD is not the same as BBC1 SD. So we don't bother normally.
Edited by rtj70 on 20/02/2010 at 13:16
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I am thinking the same. A good full HD tele with SD freeview tuner, with a humax HD PVR (probably freesat) covers most bases.
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I am thinking the same. A good full HD tele with SD freeview tuner, with a humax HD PVR (probably freesat) covers most bases.
Yes I think that would be my strategy if I wanted HD but didn't want to pay Sky any money - but given that most of the HD content I'd watch is only on the Sky platform then I'm still sticking with ye olde 28"WS CRT + endless cheapo Freeview PVRs for now.
Freeview HD seems like a waste of time to me, 2 channels with little hope of any more appearing any time soon, there just isn't the bandwidth to offer a reasonable selection of channels.
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Freeview HD seems like a waste of time to me, 2 channels with little hope of any more appearing any time soon
I would agree. The number of HD channels on Virgin has gone up but we tend to watch the normal SD versions. The upscaling on the Virgin V+ box is quite good though.
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>>So many combos!>>
The just announced new 2010 Panasonic models include both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners. Example:
tinyurl.com/yabxmgp
All details:
tinyurl.com/yac38xj
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I said at 13:15 that Panasonic were amongst the first ;-) Old news now.
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I said at 13:15 that Panasonic were amongst the first ;-) Old news now.
You actually stated that: "I think that Panasonic..."..:-)
In fact Sony was also due to release Freeview HD tuner equipped models this month.
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How do people get into these odd sports? I can imagine how someone might progress in something which they were good at when at school - but I don't think many schools around here do cross country skiing, and given that a high percentage of school kids don't even know who the Prime Minister is, and seem bored by sport on TV (unless it's football) how do they even know the sports exist?
I've been thoroughly enjoying the Eurosport and Beeb HD coverage. I think the winter Olympics are much more interesting than the summer ones.
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The freeboard racing has been a revelation!
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Some of the sports also look suicidal to me. Travelling on a tea tray at 90mph springs to mind. And how do you get good enough to progress without serious injuries? A slight twitch and you're off the track.
Now curling doesn't look dangerous and everyone knows how to use a broom surely ;-)
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How do people get into these odd sports? >>
It seems that it is mainly because their parents can afford the cost:
As reported in the Times (as per forum rules, giving the name of the paper but no hyperlink )
" The Olympics: you need brass to go for gold
What makes an Olympic medal-winner? Well, money and a private education will certainly help. It's posh at the top
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a full 58 per cent of athletes who won gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens were educated at private schools, including a good few from the super-elite public schools such as Eton.
.....
Although the figures for the Winter Olympics this month have not been published, one imagines that things are not so terribly different in Vancouver, ... "
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It might be as damning an indictment on the State Education sector as it is on being fashionably left wing on being able to pay for education - an interesting debate in itself.
including a good few from the super-elite public schools such as Eton.
Poorly written or researched that bit....
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including a good few from the super-elite public schools such as Eton.
Poorly written or researched that bit....
Pugugly: care to elaborate on that bit, please?
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Has anyone transferred an ISA from one manager to another? If so, what was the cost please?
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>>what was the cost please?
I've done this a couple of times and there was no charge.
Clk Sec
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I presume the OP means a stocks and shares ISA, in which case he'll have to obtain quotes.
I've moved mini-cash ISAs at nil cost.
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I presume the OP means a stocks and shares ISA, in which case he'll have to obtain quotes. >> >> I've moved mini-cash ISAs at nil cost.
No. CLK is correct. The OP simply needs to contact the ISA provider to which he wishes to move and they will do all of the work. The only cost incurred is the buy / sell spread.
JH
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Why does there appear to be no advertising at the winter Olympics? All the banners seem to be for the Olympics itself rather than the usual bunch of International Brands?
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The Olympics of any flavour is a non branded event. They have official partners, but there are strict rules on advertising during the events.
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The Olympics of any flavour is a non branded event. They have official partners, but there are strict rules on advertising during the events.
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The duplicate post is an error on the system. When I posted it came back with a very long error message indicating the post hadn't been sent - it appears to have been done so twice!
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Davey, thanks for that, I was totally unaware that the Olympics only ran with partners!! Is this on a point of principle or what?
Is Commonwealth games the same then?
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If three LEDs were wired up in series and one LED failed, would the other two LEDs also go out?
Because my Vectra has a crappy boot light, I fitted some additional LED lighting as well. However, some of the LEDs have already failed. I think there are 16 in each of the two units I fitted. Initially it was just the one LED, but now two others now as well. Looking at how they're wired, it looks like they're in series. Unless because one has failed, it put extra loading on the other two and made them fail as well?
Any electronics out there care to comment?
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I'm not an electronics expert, but googling for "wiring multiple LEDs" produced this ............... tinyurl.com/ykgph6f
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I want to *write* personally to the MD of a company which has a respectable looking web site (and I am in no doubt that it is functioning honestly) but I am not sure how I can find his name without telephoning them for same. I do not want to do that because I feel I would immediately be quizzed as to my reason for wanting it (to make a complaint) and it woul pre-empt my letter.
Is there somewhere on the 'net where I could find it?
TIA
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Companies house should have the names of the directors.
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/
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Now that we have a sub-forum all for non-motoring there is now no longer a need to maintain these large IHAQ threads. Or the computer, sat nav etc ones. They were a large overhead. So please post in the main forum from now on.
I will flag this thread as readonly now. Thanks
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