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Latest information (last updated Feb 09)

A Credit Union for Clergy and Church of England Employees
(February 2009)

The Revd A MacRow-Wood ACA is seeking responses (by 13 March 2009) about establishing a Credit Union.

Use this link to obtain further information.

Church of England Funded Pension Scheme
(December 2008)

A note to all active members of the above Scheme regarding notice of the withdrawal of the transfer in facility.

The notice is presented as a PDF document under resources on the left hand side of this page (CEFPS note Dec 08) or by using this link.

Tax Return Deadline (October 2008)

The deadline for submitting paper 2007/08 tax returns is 31 October 2008.

Although it is permitted to submit an electronic tax return up to 31 January 2009, you should note that it is not possible for Ministers of Religion to submit an electronic return via HMRC's own website.

Unless, therefore, you use an agent who has software capable of submitting an electronic return or a software provider whose products have been tested by HMRC to ensure they can be received and which include the Minister of religion page, the deadline in your case will be 31 October 2008.

A list of software providers produced by HMRC is available at:

www.hmrc.gov.uk/efiling/sa_efiling/soft_dev.htm

If you miss a deadline set by HMRC then HMRC will impose an automatic deadline.

Parochial Fees: Advance Notice of New Fees Table (October 2008)

Subject to the completion of statutory procedure, a new Parochial Fees Order will come into operation on 1 January 2009. If the new Order comes into effect, the main fees payable from 1 January 2009 are set out on this web site at: www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/fees

The Archbishops' Council aims to distribute printed copies of the new table during the early part of December.

Further information from Jim Smith: 020 7898 1792

The Church of England Marriage Measure (October 2008)

This new legislation, overwhelmingly passed by the General Synod, came into force from 1 October 2008. This Measure offers the Church new ways to clarify, reissue and celebrate its wider welcome, so as to meet the needs of couples requesting church weddings better and to integrate more of them into the ongoing life of the local church.

To assist clergy, the House of Bishops has issued guidance which is set out on this web site at: www.cofe.anglican.org/marriagemeasure

Further information from Mission & Public Affairs: 020 7898 1535

Extra Personal Allowance (September 2008)

In May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an increase of £600 per annum to the Basic Personal Allowance. The increase, backdated to April 2008, is to be implemented with effect from September. As a result, most of our payees will pay less tax in September.

However, if one of our payees has a tax code including the letters NC the increased allowance will not be backdated. In addition, the increase does not apply to the following circumstances:

  • if the tax code does not contain the suffix L;
  • if the tax payer pays tax at the Higher Rate (40%); or
  • if the payee has not paid any tax this year.

HMRC will review the above cases individually and, if appropriate, will instruct us to amend the code.

A detailed explanation of the change is available at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/epa-understanding.htm

Tax code error (August 2008)

If you received notification of a new tax codes from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) dated 7th or 8th August then please be aware that this code has not been operated. The codes were issued in error and HMRC asked us not to operate the change. If you believe the code was correct please contact HMRC on 01274 205714.

Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure (July 2008)

The General Synod has now given final approval to the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure. For further details see: www.cofe.anglican.org/info/termsofservice

Data Security (July 2008)

HM Revenue & Customs have posted some information on their website about fraudulent e-mails. For further information visit: www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/spoofs.htm