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It seems as if the SIPP sector has been waiting for the judgments on a number of court cases in recent years. As we get clarity on one, we still await another and these can have implications for not only how a SIPP firm operates, but on advisers and their clients.

The recent judgment in the HMRC v SIPPchoice case, published in May, was in relation to tax relief on in-specie contributions. This case has been ongoing for a number of years and it would appear that we finally have resolution.

Regular readers may recall my Blog from last October, entitled “Cart before horse nonsense has to stop”, in which I berated the time it was taking to get legislation through Parliament, ratifying pension-related changes that had, in effect, already come into force (for example, applying for Fixed Protection 2016).

When Theresa May called a snap General Election in April, few would have envisaged the outcome resulting in a hung parliament and no Conservative majority.
Regular readers may recall that my blog in November 2016 focused on HMRC unexpectedly challenging SIPP providers on whether net pension contributions could be made in specie, (that is, a change of legal ownership without any sell/buy transactions), and still receive tax relief.
A-Day on 6 April 2006 ushered in a new taxation regime for pensions, under the heading of Pension Simplification (no sniggering at the back, please).
Reduction in the MPAA: a sign of things to come?

Sitting here amidst a post-Christmas lull, whilst tucking into a seventh meal comprised of turkey, my mind naturally drifts to the Autumn Statement consultation about reducing the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) from £10,000 to £4,000 with effect from 6 April 2017.
During the summer, HMRC unexpectedly began challenging Sipp providers on whether net pension contributions can be made in specie, (that is, a change of legal ownership without sell/buy transactions).