Tax Planning for Family and Owner-Managed Companies 2008-09

Publisher: Tottel Publishing. Price: £98 (plus VAT)

This book is an invaluable source of reference and at the same time a rarity in the tax world: a book which one can actually sit down and read.

With close on 800 pages of substantive text the 2008-09 edition is beginning to show an element of ‘middle age spread’.

This is not any criticism of Peter Rayney’s authorship but rather a demonstration of just how fast the world of tax is changing.

With the first edition having appeared in 1995 the life of this work has essentially run in parallel with the present Labour Government – a challenging time for any tax professional.

While Peter seems to have the support of a team at BDO Stoy Hayward LLP behind him the continuing life of this book must be a daunting task.

He acknowledges that it...