Tax return – tick

I’ve done our tax returns (for 20/21). It’s never a fun process because we always owe Her Majesty some money at the end of it. And it’s not without complication. I’ve been doing our returns forever. But semi-retirement and reasonably recent self-employment (books and consultancy), along with income from property, means there’s a lot of form filling. More accurately, there’s a lot of sensible, but dull, book keeping needed to make sure what I submit is accurate. Anyhow, I am a bit of an expert now so I get it done without tears – until I have to get my/our cheque book out.

Oh joy …

I mention this because if you are military (or ex) and reading this, you may want to check that your state pension contributions are fully up to date. I did 26 years service (and then 8 years as a teacher – added together, this is one year short of the 35 years National Insurance contributions you need for a full stte pension). Although the record shows that I have full contributions in those years, some of the military years don’t qualify. In short I was 7 years short. If you have been employed since you left and, as a result have paid PAYE tax and NI, then you’re probably OK. But if not, you might be short and will need to catch up by paying for the lost years, or paying Class 2 or 4 NIC between now and your pensionable date. This is complex, so if you want to DM me, I can try and help … although I am not a financial adviser.

It’s worth it, by the way. A full state pension is just over £9k a year. For many it’s could be a lifeline.

You’ll be pleased to hear I’m not going to go on about His Borisness’s CBI speech, nor the awful tragedy of the souls lost to the English Channel. My view is we should be providing safe passage for those seeking asylum. I think that’s international law. Whatever, it’s the humane thing to do. We can then process these people, many of whom have families in the UK and are of working age. Those who don’t pass the asylum rules are then taken home. Humanely. No more deaths. Please.

heartbreaking …

We had a lovely time at Eva’s. Alas we couldn’t find Kevin’s heart on the Covid Memorial wall, but the experience of visiting the wall – which is just an enormous tragedy – was one of those must do, however heart-wrenching, experiences. I’m not sure if there are 145,000 hearts on display … but that didn’t matter. It was just horrible.

London was lovely

You won’t be surprised that this week has been about writing … and more writing. I’m 105/130k words in and heading for the final stretch. All work and no play and that, so yesterday I popped up to Jen and James’s to help with the building work. When I was there Jen finished the cover for the audiobook of Unsuspecting Hero, and then berated me for not spending enough time marketing the series. I promised her, as I do you, that that is my next job. Once I have a first draft of book 8 on the chocks.

final version

We’re off to see C’s middle sister tomorrow, down in Dorset. And then on Sunday we’re off to see mum, coming back via Mary’s. Jen wants to come with us for the longer trip … which will be nice.

And then it’s the run up to Christmas. Where has all the time gone?

Keep safe everyone. The numbers in Central Europe may be high, but ours have been consistently there since September, and may rise even more as it gets colder and more of us stay indoors. I wouldn’t want any of you to get the disease. Masks in shops, then!