Thursday 8 November 2007

Change, Change and more Change

Normally I embrace change but at the moment it 's a case of too much of a good thing.
How on earth are Tax Lawyers and Accountants supposed to advise their Clients-the CGT rules/legislation are in a permanent state of flux and inevitably they are going to be tinkered with between now and publication of next year's Finance Act - as and when and how Alistair Darling sees fit.

The Pre Budget Statement as far as I am concerned just provides the Government with a sounding board-they float a few ideas/draft measures-see how the public and more specifically the various lobbies respond and then decide what degree of unpopularity they are prepared to countenance and then legislate accordingly.

I am not a political animal-I just like to know what the rules of the game are!!
I suspect I sound like a grumpy old woman but I thought government and legislation was intended to provide certainty-this sort of approach does not instil confidence in the business community.

Still onwards and upwards-I am presenting with professional colleagues in Harrogate tomorrow -talking to members of the farming community on "Planning For Succession" and the need for it-if I am asked by farmers looking to retire whether they go for it now or after April when the proposed CGT revised legislation will be implemented what do I say? They might be better off dying in harness/with their boots on so to speak-ie not retiring and staying involved in the business-but then that might solve CGT issues but generate IHT problems
I wish my crystal ball was a bit bigger and better -and clearer!!

We soldier on