STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

WHEN I bred Dobermanns in the Nineties, the self-employed could claim tax relief on a guard dog living at their home, as long as there was a link with their work.

Bank managers who kept business keys at home, for example, could write off dog food or vet’s fees as work expenses. Does this still apply? J. R., Great Wenham, Suffolk.

TECHNICALLY, yes, but within limits. HMRC has no specific guidance on whether guard dogs are a legitimate tax-deductible expense. To be eligible, you would need to show that the dog was exclusively for the purposes of business (in this case, protecting your business), rather than a pet.

A spokesman for HMRC says you would need to show it’s a ‘necessary expense’.

MY HUSBAND, who has cancer, has been trying for weeks to withdraw £85,000 from HSBC because the rate is so poor.

I’ve taken him into the branch twice with all the ID, but the bank won’t release it because his signature is now wobbly and doesn’t match that on record. A. C., North London.

HSBC has apologised ‘unreservedly’ to you and your husband for the way it handled matters and is sending you a cheque for £85,000 plus £250 compensation for the inconvenience. It says: ‘Unfortunately, Mr Cooper’s circumstances were not shared with those processing the request, which meant the discrepancy on the signature wasn’t taken into account.’

I BOUGHT Halifax shares when it turned into a bank in 1997, but I haven’t heard anything since it was bought by Lloyds in 2009. Should I have been sent a new shares certificate? R. W., via email.

YES. Check with equiniti Limited, Lloyds’ share registrar, that it has your details recorded correctly and ask it to send you a new certificate. Call 0371 384 2990 or write to: Aspect house, Spencer road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA, quoting the number on your existing share certificate.