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January Newsletter 


Welcome to our January Newsletter. In this issue we have Home Insurance as product of the month. What you need to know about the GHIC. Preparing your tax return and what happens when i drive in the EU now?


Product of the Month

 


 

Home Insurance.

We compare the market so you don’t have to saving you time and money. We use many of the UK’s leading insurance companies and have arranged special deals you won’t find anywhere else on the internet.

 

We offer a personal service so you will always be able to talk to us should you require help or assistance in anyway. Our aim is to give you the most appropriate policy at the best possible price.

We want to take the hassle out of buying household insurance.

    • Generous No Claims Discount
    • Buildings Insurance
    • Contents Insurance
    • Installments available
    • All Risk Items
    • Legal Expenses available with identity theft protection
    • 24 hour claim lines
    • You may be interested in our home worker insurance policy



Why you need to know about GHIC

Why you need to know about GHIC

Everything you need to know about medical protection in a post-Brexit world 

Nothing fuels the daydreams of a hot holiday like a cold, wet lockdown.

A fifth of British people have already booked a holiday in 2021, according to AA Insurance, and despite all the uncertainty and restriction changes here and overseas, another 20 per cent say they are actively considering booking a break.

That explains the rush of people applying for European Health Insurance Cards, better known as an EHIC, and for their newly launched replacements.

 
 

Now that the country has Brexited (is that a real word yet?), EHIC cards are being phased out and are to be replaced with the impressive-sounding GHIC – Global Health Insurance Card.  

 

There has been a stampede of applications for cards, both the old EHIC that was still be offered at the start of the year and now the new GHIC.

  

So, if treatment is free under a system like our NHS, then it would be free to a cardholder too. If it is subsidised but paid for, then a cardholder would pay the same reduced rate.

 

Is my EHIC card worthless now?

 

No. If you have an unexpired EHIC then it is still valid and offered the same cover as a GHIC when travelling within the EU. Once it expires then your next application will be for a GHIC.

You can check the expiry date as it is printed on the card.

Does a ‘global health insurance card’ cover more countries?

No. The GHIC is only valid within Europe and, in fact, includes fewer countries than its predecessor. Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway are not covered by the GHIC.

And if you have an EHIC that’s still valid, then it is also no longer valid for those countries.  

When should I apply for a GHIC?

If your EHIC has run out and you do require the new GHIC, then the government advice is that an application will normally take 10 days.  

 

However, with demand for this card likely to be high as people begin to hope they can travel again by the summer, it’s a good idea to leave plenty of time for your application to be processed.

 

Do I need travel insurance too?

 

Yes. Whether you are carrying an EHIC or a GHIC, you do still need travel insurance. It protects you against cancellation in advance of your holiday, so buy it when you book your break. On top of that, a good, comprehensive policy will also pay out for all sorts of emergencies that are not covered by a country’s state medical provision.

 

For example, you might need to be flown back to the UK while undergoing treatment, which can be ruinously expensive. Or you might need to be flown to hospital, which can result in a bill for thousands of pounds.

Some travel insurance policies even require you to have an EHIC or GHIC card in order to be valid, because it reduces the risk to the insurer.

 

Does that mean I can travel?

 

If you do decide to book travel for this year then you must be aware that it is a risky business. Although vaccines are now being rolled out across the world, we will have to continue living with the virus for some time yet.

And that means that if you book travel for later this year then you need to protect yourself as best you can with travel insurance. According to Which?, although a number of insurers do offer Covid cover, none protect their customers from the full range of Covid-related incidents. That has to be something you consider when booking a break this year.

 

However, some insurers do offer far greater protection than others, including a few that provide protection if you cancel due to needing to self-isolate and some that cover you even if you need to self-isolate without a positive test.

Insurance is always important, but this year finding the right policy matters more than finding the right holiday.

 

What if I don’t have my card with me? 

 

Applying for a card is free, simple and gives you the peace of mind that you can get medical care if you need it.

However, if you forget your card or it is lost or stolen while you’re abroad, you can ask Overseas Healthcare Services for help by calling +44 (0)191 218 1999.

 

What else do I need to know?

There are many websites that offer a GHIC application service and which charge a fee. In fact, when you run an internet search for ‘apply for a GHIC’ you will most likely see a sponsored advert at the very top of the results page.

Yes, the cards have only just been launched and already there are companies trying to get you to pay for a free service.

Do not apply via any website except the official NHS page and never pay a fee for doing so. There is, quite simply, no benefit to you for doing so – it doesn’t make it easier. The NHS website is incredibly straightforward to use.

 
 



Leniency for taxpayers as Britons spend 19 million hours on returns

 

Leniency for taxpayers as Britons spend 19 million hours on returns

 

Covid piles pressure on filers already struggling with ‘worrying gaps’ in understanding as deadline for filing looms

 Kate Hughes

Money Editor

@hughesthehack 

 

Britons will rack up 19 million hours filling in their tax returns this year, after new research highlights worrying gaps in people’s knowledge of the system.

 

A survey of 4,000 people by consumer group Which? found only three individuals could answer seven questions about general tax rules correctly, with one in 10 people struggling to complete their return over more than five hours.  

 

 

Under normal circumstances, failure to submit a tax return on time results in an immediate £100 fine, with penalties rapidly increasing depending on how late the return is and how much is owed.

But with more than 12 million people required to submit a tax return by the end of this month, the figures come as HMRC confirms it will accept late returns and waive fines this year as long as workers could prove the delay was due to Covid-19.   

 

These could include, for example, circumstances around homeschooling, or the illness of either the individual or their accountant.  

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is rumoured to be considering an extension to the deadline for all those who need to complete a tax return. However, unless this is confirmed, those who are affected will have to complete a form stating the reasons for their delayed submission rather than assuming an automatic refund.

 

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to file on time even if they can’t pay their tax straight away,” HMRC said in a recent statement.  

  

“But where a customer is unable to do so because of the impact of Covid-19, we will accept they have a reasonable excuse and cancel penalties, provided they manage to file as soon as possible after that.”

But managing to file an accurate return under pressure isn’t just about having extra time, with poor levels of understanding around the tax on children’s savings and capital gains tax  in particular causing problems, Which? has warned.  

Meanwhile, almost half of those surveyed wrongly believed it wasn’t necessary to submit a return at all if the person was paid via PAYE.  

 

If you’re employed and the only income you receive is from your job, you won’t have to complete a tax return. But if you also receive rental income, do extra freelance work or make a profit after selling an asset, you will need to declare it on a tax return.

Last year, 11.1 million people filed a return on time, but more than 70,000 were submitted on deadline day, and 26,562 people completed their returns in the final hour.

 

“This month, we’ve hit peak tax return prevarication,” warns Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst for Hargreaves Lansdown. “Hundreds of thousands of people put this nasty job off every January, but this year more than ever, it’s easy to see why so many people can’t bear to get started.

“Many self-employed people are so worried about their potential bill that they can’t face doing the calculations. Meanwhile, others are so busy juggling running a business with the stress of lockdown, that the extra faff is the last thing they need.

“The taxman has confirmed that those hit by the virus can put off doing their return without facing a fine. In some cases this will be a lifeline for people who are overwhelmed. However, if you’re able to complete the paperwork in time, you need to do so.”

 

10 tips for your last-minute tax return

 

  1. Check you have access to the system first. Make sure you have your unique taxpayer reference number and can access the Government Gateway right now. You don’t want to fall at the final hurdle.

 

  1. Cut the corners you’re allowed. If you work from home or use your own car for work, instead of calculating the actual expenses, you can use flat rates for both.

 

  1. Claim for everything you can. This isn’t one of the corners you can cut. Collect together all your receipts and invoices, and use the list on the government website to check you haven’t missed anything https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed.

 

  1. Estimate if you need to. If you’ve left it too late and there’s some paperwork outstanding, you can submit an estimated return, and update it when the paperwork arrives.

 

  1. Don’t rush the pensions bit. This is a really common area for mistakes to happen. Higher rate taxpayersneed to check if they have to claim for additional higher rate relief on their pensions. They also need to make sure they enter the gross value of contributions. This isn’t just a total of all the money paid in; it’s everything they paid in, plus tax relief at 20 per cent on top.

 

  1. Squeeze the value from your charity donations. Ticking a box to claim Gift Aid means the charity can reclaim 20 per cent tax on your donation from the taxman, but if you’re a higher rate or additional rate taxpayer, you can reclaim the rest of the tax on your donation through your tax return. Only 22 per cent of higher rate taxpayers bother to do it, but it can really add up.

 

  1. Do your tax return even if you can’t afford the bill. 31 January will be crunch time, and is going to be especially painful if you put off your payment on account in July. If this year has laid waste to your usual careful plans, then you can do the return now and arrange to pay in instalments. But do it sooner rather than later. If you leave it more than 60 days past the deadline, you can’t set up installments.

 

  1. Don’t forget to pay. You’d be surprised how many people are so focused on the admin that they forget this bit. It’s also important to think about your payment method. The payment can clear on the same day if you pay by debit or credit card, but will sometimes take a day to go through. If you pay by BACS or direct debit it can take three days (or five days if this is the first time you have paid HMRC by direct debit).

 

  1. Go back and check it. Make sure you’ve completed every relevant section and input all the details. If you’re unsure of something, check the rules on the HMRC website. It’s far better to take the time now than run into problems later because you made a mistake.

 

  1. Change previous years’ returns. If you’ve stumbled across something you should have been claiming for in previous years, you can amend returns going back four years.

 

 



What happens when I drive to the EU now?

What happens when I travel to the EU now?

 

When you drive your vehicle abroad during the transition period, your motor insurance will give you the minimum cover you’ll need by law for each country when driving in the EU, EEA, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland (listed below). You can drive from the UK into these countries without having to show any extra evidence that you have the required insurance. 

 

Countries where a Green Card isn’t required during the transition period:

 

EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden

EEA countries not in the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

 

Other countries where you don’t need a Green Card during the transition period: Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland

You'll need a Green Card from 1 January 2021 if you’re travelling in the EU, EEA, Andorra, Serbia or Switzerland to prove that your motor insurance gives you the minimum cover you’ll need by law for each country. If a deal is agreed with the EU that removes the need for Green Cards then we'll update these Q&As, so before you travel please check back for our latest guidance.

 

What's a Green Card?

 

A Green Card is issued by the driver’s insurer. It acts as evidence that the driver has the minimum legal cover needed for the country they’re visiting whilst driving outside the UK. The Green Card is a physical document which is printed on green paper – it isn’t valid in an electronic format.

Do I need a Green Card?

 

If you’re travelling outside the UK to the countries listed above and will come back after the transition period ends, you’ll need a Green Card.

 

How do I get a Green Card?

 

If you still need a Green Card, you can call us on 0161 702 0301. We recommend you apply four weeks before you’re due to travel to make sure it can be posted and delivered to you in time.

 

Will I still be able to use my insurance to drive in other EU member states after the UK's exit from the EU?

 

Yes. Your current motor insurance cover will still give you the legal minimum motor insurance needed for travel to EU & EEA countries, Serbia, Switzerland and Andorra. You won’t need to buy additional third-party motor insurance policy cover when travelling to these countries with a UK-registered vehicle. 

But you should check the terms of your cover, as the minimum requirements may not be the same as the full cover you have when driving in the UK. You may wish to ‘top up’ your cover for driving abroad (e.g. comprehensive cover, which would include damage to your vehicle).

 

Where can I get more information?

 

The Government’s published guidance on driving in the EU after the UK’s exit from the EU at www.gov.uk/driving-abroad

We’re monitoring developments and speaking with regulators to minimise any challenges that may come up. We’ll always aim to provide the service you expect. We’ll update our website with more information, so you should keep checking back here as more details are announced. 




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