Written by: Juliana Watterston

This book is written in an approachable style with no waffle. The author has drawn on her own experience in a small practice to include exactly what the general practitioner needs to know about corporation tax.

The basics of self-assessment, tax rates, close companies and deductions from income are covered so succinctly and clearly that I would recommend these chapters as a student text. Indeed pages 80 to 100, which summarise the allowable deductions, should be committed to memory (or at least pasted on the wall for reference), by every tax or accounts senior who needs to complete corporation tax computations on a regular basis. Juliana has supported the explanation for each item with references to the HMRC manuals or to case law, so there is no excuse for not knowing why an item is deductible.

The more complex corporate topics are not ignored. Corporate finance, investment business, transfer pricing, reconstructions and demergers are all tackled with clarity. However, the most useful chapter for a busy practitioner has to be 'The Year End'. This includes samples of the CT returns and a summary of all the planning points that should be considered at this time. Each point has a cross reference back to the chapter where a full discussion of the issue is explored. I certainly found what I needed to know from this book very quickly and easily. In short it was a joy to read.

Review by: Rebecca Cave, Taxwriter Ltd

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