The Budget and business cars

WE knew that VAT was rising to 20% even before Chancellor George Osborne stood up and told us. There had been no official announcement. But the concept had been drip-fed to us for weeks. OK, so we have to deal with it. And that means bringing forward your car buying decision before next year - and don't forget to factor in lead times too. Our lead story examines this further. Another way to beat the VAT rise is to consider leasing: 50% of the VAT on the rental is recoverable. More to the point, the writing down allowances on purchased business cars are reducing, so you could be writing down assets for years. Again, it makes car leasing more attractive. Want to know more? It's all in our Business car guide to the emergency Budget.

Ralph Morton - editor

HOT TOPIC

Bring forward car purchases to avoid VAT rise
Small businesses wanting to avoid the rise in VAT should start thinking about about their next business car buy now.

ALSO IN THE NEWS

Latest Mondeos lower company car tax
Cut your benefit-in-kind with new Ford Mondeo diesels.

ROAD TESTS

All-new Audi A1 supermini
But is it better than a MINI?

Low-emission Leon knocks tax on the head
Few family hatches give you so much for so little CO2.

ADVICE CENTRE

Get a luxury SUV... without paying the earth
Practicality meets prestige: our four best 4x4s.

The modern way to acquire a company car
...and we don't mean getting a plug-in hybrid.

Are you new to Business Car Manager?
To put you in the picture, Business Car Manager - the business motoring magazine - is an invaluable source of information for small businesses, the self-employed and business car drivers. It carries news on company car tax changes, legislation updates, new business car news and advice on how to run and fund your business cars. Ralph Morton - editor.

Business Car Manager Ltd, 95 Station Road, Hampton, Middx TW12 2BD. Registered as a company in England and Wales 5581943; a member of the Federation of Small Businesses; a member of Merton Chamber of Commerce; and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office.