\documentclass[10pt,a4paper]{article} % Packages \usepackage{fancyhdr} % For header and footer \usepackage{multicol} % Allows multicols in tables \usepackage{tabularx} % Intelligent column widths \usepackage{tabulary} % Used in header and footer \usepackage{hhline} % Border under tables \usepackage{graphicx} % For images \usepackage{xcolor} % For hex colours %\usepackage[utf8x]{inputenc} % For unicode character support \usepackage[T1]{fontenc} % Without this we get weird character replacements \usepackage{colortbl} % For coloured tables \usepackage{setspace} % For line height \usepackage{lastpage} % Needed for total page number \usepackage{seqsplit} % Splits long words. %\usepackage{opensans} % Can't make this work so far. Shame. Would be lovely. \usepackage[normalem]{ulem} % For underlining links % Most of the following are not required for the majority % of cheat sheets but are needed for some symbol support. \usepackage{amsmath} % Symbols \usepackage{MnSymbol} % Symbols \usepackage{wasysym} % Symbols %\usepackage[english,german,french,spanish,italian]{babel} % Languages % Document Info \author{mgxx2004 (mgrawahi)} \pdfinfo{ /Title (uk-tax-system.pdf) /Creator (Cheatography) /Author (mgxx2004 (mgrawahi)) /Subject (UK Tax System Cheat Sheet) } % Lengths and widths \addtolength{\textwidth}{6cm} \addtolength{\textheight}{-1cm} \addtolength{\hoffset}{-3cm} \addtolength{\voffset}{-2cm} \setlength{\tabcolsep}{0.2cm} % Space between columns \setlength{\headsep}{-12pt} % Reduce space between header and content \setlength{\headheight}{85pt} % If less, LaTeX automatically increases it \renewcommand{\footrulewidth}{0pt} % Remove footer line \renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0pt} % Remove header line \renewcommand{\seqinsert}{\ifmmode\allowbreak\else\-\fi} % Hyphens in seqsplit % This two commands together give roughly % the right line height in the tables \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.3} \onehalfspacing % Commands \newcommand{\SetRowColor}[1]{\noalign{\gdef\RowColorName{#1}}\rowcolor{\RowColorName}} % Shortcut for row colour \newcommand{\mymulticolumn}[3]{\multicolumn{#1}{>{\columncolor{\RowColorName}}#2}{#3}} % For coloured multi-cols \newcolumntype{x}[1]{>{\raggedright}p{#1}} % New column types for ragged-right paragraph columns \newcommand{\tn}{\tabularnewline} % Required as custom column type in use % Font and Colours \definecolor{HeadBackground}{HTML}{333333} \definecolor{FootBackground}{HTML}{666666} \definecolor{TextColor}{HTML}{333333} \definecolor{DarkBackground}{HTML}{AFCCAF} \definecolor{LightBackground}{HTML}{F5F8F5} \renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault} \color{TextColor} % Header and Footer \pagestyle{fancy} \fancyhead{} % Set header to blank \fancyfoot{} % Set footer to blank \fancyhead[L]{ \noindent \begin{multicols}{3} \begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{C} \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \vspace{-7pt} {\parbox{\dimexpr\textwidth-2\fboxsep\relax}{\noindent \hspace*{-6pt}\includegraphics[width=5.8cm]{/web/www.cheatography.com/public/images/cheatography_logo.pdf}} } \end{tabulary} \columnbreak \begin{tabulary}{11cm}{L} \vspace{-2pt}\large{\bf{\textcolor{DarkBackground}{\textrm{UK Tax System Cheat Sheet}}}} \\ \normalsize{by \textcolor{DarkBackground}{mgxx2004 (mgrawahi)} via \textcolor{DarkBackground}{\uline{cheatography.com/197440/cs/45419/}}} \end{tabulary} \end{multicols}} \fancyfoot[L]{ \footnotesize \noindent \begin{multicols}{3} \begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{LL} \SetRowColor{FootBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{p{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cheatographer}} \\ \vspace{-2pt}mgxx2004 (mgrawahi) \\ \uline{cheatography.com/mgrawahi} \\ \end{tabulary} \vfill \columnbreak \begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{L} \SetRowColor{FootBackground} \mymulticolumn{1}{p{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Cheat Sheet}} \\ \vspace{-2pt}Published 11th January, 2025.\\ Updated 11th January, 2025.\\ Page {\thepage} of \pageref{LastPage}. \end{tabulary} \vfill \columnbreak \begin{tabulary}{5.8cm}{L} \SetRowColor{FootBackground} \mymulticolumn{1}{p{5.377cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Sponsor}} \\ \SetRowColor{white} \vspace{-5pt} %\includegraphics[width=48px,height=48px]{dave.jpeg} Measure your website readability!\\ www.readability-score.com \end{tabulary} \end{multicols}} \begin{document} \raggedright \raggedcolumns % Set font size to small. Switch to any value % from this page to resize cheat sheet text: % www.emerson.emory.edu/services/latex/latex_169.html \footnotesize % Small font. \begin{multicols*}{4} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Classification}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Tax is classified into two categories:} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{1. Direct Tax}}} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 1) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{2. Indirect Tax}}} \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 1) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{1.06423 cm} x{2.36877 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Direct Tax}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Tax on individual's wealth/income.} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} Examples: & 1. Income Tax \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 1) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} & 2. Capital Gains Tax \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 1) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{1.13289 cm} x{2.30011 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Indirect Tax}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Tax on an individual's transactions} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} Example: & 1. VAT \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 1) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} & 2. Insurance Tax \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 1) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{What profits are subject to income tax?}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Trading profits of UK residents are subject/chargeable to income tax} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Determination of trading vs. capital transactions}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{By applying the '6 Badges of Trade'.} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{If one or more apply, then the transaction is considered a trade, though final decision is made by the courts.} \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 3) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{1.40753 cm} x{2.02547 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Sole Trader (self-employed) vs. Company}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{Tax:}} Self-employed face lighter taxes (20\% income tax vs 25\% corporation tax).} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 0) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} {\bf{Liability:}} & Companies limited liability {\bf{vs.}} sole traders risk losing everything. \tn % Row Count 6 (+ 4) % Row 3 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{} \tn % Row Count 6 (+ 0) % Row 4 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} {\bf{Setup and Maintenance:}} & Sole trader simpler set-ups {\bf{vs.}} Companies require legal administration paperwork and costs to maintain. \tn % Row Count 11 (+ 5) % Row 5 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{} \tn % Row Count 11 (+ 0) % Row 6 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} {\bf{Ownership \& Flexibility:}} & Companies owned via shares, thus, are offer more flexibility for raising capital, investment, or selling, unlike sole traders. \tn % Row Count 17 (+ 6) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{The Six Badges of Trade}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{1. {\bf{S}}ubject of Matter of Transaction} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{2. {\bf{L}}ength of Period of Ownership} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 1) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{3. {\bf{F}}requency of Transactions} \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 1) % Row 3 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{4. {\bf{S}}upplementary Work} \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 1) % Row 4 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{5. {\bf{R}}eason for Sale} \tn % Row Count 5 (+ 1) % Row 5 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{6. {\bf{M}}otive of Transaction} \tn % Row Count 6 (+ 1) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Evasion}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Illegal actions like hiding income or falsifying tax return, is punishable by fines or imprisonment.} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Activities Classified as Trading for Tax Purposes}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Activities that involve repeated buying and selling, particularly to make profit.} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Avoidance}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Legal but crafty use of loopholes to reduce tax, often through artificial schemes, although legal, the HMRC see it as exploitation of rules against their intended purposes.} \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 4) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{HMRC}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Responsible for collecting taxes, administering benefits, and enforcement of tax and customs law.} \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{1.27021 cm} x{2.16279 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Year for Individuals - UK}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} Individuals Fiscal Year & 6th April to 5th April (e.g. Assessment Year). \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.6866 cm} x{2.7464 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Addressing/reducing tax evasion/avoidance}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} 1. TAAR & Targeted Anti-avoidance Rule \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} 2. GAAR & General Anti-abuse Rule \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 1) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} 3. DOTAS & Disposal of Tax Avoidance Schemes \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Impact of measures to reduce tax evasion/avoidance}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Decline of creative tax planning by making avoidance schemes increasingly difficult and risky.} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{HMRC Criteria for Self-employment}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{C}}ontrol} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{H}}olidays and Sickness} \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 1) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{E}}quipment} \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 1) % Row 3 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{W}}ork Performance and Correction} \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 1) % Row 4 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{E}}xclusivity} \tn % Row Count 5 (+ 1) % Row 5 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{{\bf{R}}emuneration and Financial Risk} \tn % Row Count 6 (+ 1) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Application to Limited Companies}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Limited companies pays:} \tn % Row Count 1 (+ 1) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{1. {\bf{Salary to employees}} (20\% income tax \& 8\% national insurance).} \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 2) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{2. {\bf{Dividends}} (taxed at 8.5\% - basic rate).} \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 1) % Row 3 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{3. {\bf{Corporation tax}} (25\%) on profits before dividends.} \tn % Row Count 6 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{1.30454 cm} x{2.12846 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Year for Corporations - UK}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} {\bf{Corporation Tax Year}} & 1st April to 31st March inclusive (e.g. Financial Year). \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 3) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{1.30454 cm} x{2.12846 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Year for Corporations - UK}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} {\bf{Corporation Tax Year}} & 1st April to 31st March inclusive (e.g. Financial Year). \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 3) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{x{0.96124 cm} x{2.47176 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Self-employment vs. Employment}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} Self Employment & • Higher risk and reward. \tn % Row Count 2 (+ 2) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} & • More expenses allowed (lower tax). \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 2) % Row 2 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} & • Taxes paid later. \tn % Row Count 5 (+ 1) % Row 3 \SetRowColor{white} & • No compulsory national insurance. \tn % Row Count 7 (+ 2) % Row 4 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} & • More control over Activities. \tn % Row Count 9 (+ 2) % Row 5 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{} \tn % Row Count 9 (+ 0) % Row 6 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} Employment & • Fewer expenses allowed. \tn % Row Count 10 (+ 1) % Row 7 \SetRowColor{white} & • Taxes paid via PAYE. \tn % Row Count 11 (+ 1) % Row 8 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} & • Compulsory national insurance (8\%). \tn % Row Count 13 (+ 2) % Row 9 \SetRowColor{white} & • Holiday and sick pay. \tn % Row Count 14 (+ 1) % Row 10 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} & • Social security benefits. \tn % Row Count 16 (+ 2) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} \begin{tabularx}{3.833cm}{p{0.3433 cm} p{0.3433 cm} } \SetRowColor{DarkBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{\bf\textcolor{white}{Tax Application to Sole Traders}} \tn % Row 0 \SetRowColor{LightBackground} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{Sole traders are {\bf{taxed}} on business profits under income tax rules, with no corporation tax or dividends.} \tn % Row Count 3 (+ 3) % Row 1 \SetRowColor{white} \mymulticolumn{2}{x{3.833cm}}{- Income tax is {\bf{20\%}} on profits.} \tn % Row Count 4 (+ 1) \hhline{>{\arrayrulecolor{DarkBackground}}--} \end{tabularx} \par\addvspace{1.3em} % That's all folks \end{multicols*} \end{document}