News

Do you have additional income streams?
03/07/2025 - More...
Side income over £1,000 may mean filing a tax return. HMRC is urging part-time earners to check their tax position for 2024-25, especially if they earn from casual work, renting, or crypto. If you are earning extra income it is important to be aware of the tax implications. The good news is there are two £1,000 tax allowances available

Setting up a payroll scheme
03/07/2025 - More...
Registering for payroll is essential when hiring staff. From HMRC registration to legal compliance, getting payroll processes right ensures your team is paid correctly and your business avoids penalties. When starting a business and hiring employees for the first time, one of the most important administrative steps is setting up a

What if you no longer need to submit a tax return
03/07/2025 - More...
You must tell HMRC if you no longer need to file a tax return. Whether you have stopped trading or no longer rent out property, notifying HMRC early avoids penalties and keeps your records up to date. If your circumstances have changed and you believe you no longer need to complete a self-assessment tax return, then it is important to

Tax returns for a deceased taxpayer
03/07/2025 - More...
You may need to submit tax returns for someone who has died. As the personal representative, you are legally responsible for reporting income earned before and after death. This person, known as the ‘personal representative’, is legally responsible for dealing with the deceased’s money, property and possessions. This includes reporting

Pension contributions, net pay or relief at source?
03/07/2025 - More...
Your pension scheme type affects your tax relief. Workplace pensions offer tax benefits, but the method used, net pay or relief at source, changes how and when you get them. Your employer or pension provider should confirm which arrangement your scheme uses, and this will affect both your payslip and potential tax relief. Net pay

Who is liable to Income Tax at Scottish rates?
03/07/2025 - More...
Where you live determines if you pay Scottish Income Tax. The rules are not based on where you work, who pays you, or national identity, but on your main UK home during the tax year. The definition of a Scottish taxpayer is generally linked to the question of whether the taxpayer has a 'close connection' with Scotland or elsewhere in the

Are you ready for Companies House ID checks?
30/06/2025 - More...
From 2025, Companies House is rolling out new identity verification requirements for directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and anyone forming or managing a UK company. These changes form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and are designed to reduce fraud and increase confidence in UK companies. If you

How AI is changing your business
30/06/2025 - More...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer something for big tech firms alone - it is becoming a practical tool for small businesses, especially when it comes to financial management and forecasting. We can now harness AI tools to speed up data capture, analyse financial trends, and identify opportunities for growth or savings. This is

Tax gap estimated at 5.3% for 2023-24
26/06/2025 - More...
HMRC missed out on £46.8bn in tax last year. Small businesses and Corporation Tax make up the biggest share of the shortfall. The tax gap for the 2023-24 tax year has been published and is estimated to be 5.3% of total theoretical tax liabilities. The tax gap is basically the difference between the amount of tax that should have been

Use HMRC app and be job-ready this summer
26/06/2025 - More...
Starting work this summer? Download the free HMRC app to get your NI number, check your tax code and stay on the right pay. Young people finishing exams and entering the job market this summer are being urged by HMRC to download the HMRC app. The app is a free tool that can be used to provide quick access to essential employment and tax

Check your State Pension forecast online
26/06/2025 - More...
Get a clear view of your future pension. Use the enhanced online service to check, boost, or track your State Pension entitlement. The enhanced Check Your State Pension forecast service is available online, offering a faster and more complete way to understand your State Pension entitlement. This joint service from HMRC and the

Using the VAT Cash Accounting Scheme
26/06/2025 - More...
Struggling with late-paying customers? The VAT Cash Accounting Scheme helps protect cash flow by taxing only what you have received. The VAT Cash Accounting Scheme is designed to support businesses by improving cash flow. Using this scheme means that VAT is only paid when your customer pays you and not when you issue an invoice. This

Accounting on a cash basis
26/06/2025 - More...
From April 2024, the cash basis is the default method for sole traders and most partnerships when preparing Self-Assessment returns. Designed to simplify tax reporting, the cash basis lets businesses record income and expenses when money actually moves, easing the admin burden for many. Those who prefer or need traditional accruals

Claiming for uniforms, work clothing and tools
26/06/2025 - More...
Buying tools or clothing for your job? You could claim tax relief. Check if you qualify and how to get your money back. If you have spent your own money on items essential for your work, such as tools or specialist clothing, HMRC may allow you to claim tax relief, even up to four years after you paid. There are two ways to make a claim,

Pivotal role of the union Certification Officer in addressing complaints
24/06/2025 - More...
A recent tribunal clarified the procedural powers of the Certification Officer (CO), ruling that applications from trade union members cannot be refused simply because they are deemed "unarguable". After becoming Chair of a prestigious university, the appellant faced three internal complaints from other members/staff of the UCU

Winter Fuel Payments reinstated
23/06/2025 - More...
The government has announced the reinstatement of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners in England and Wales for winter 2025-26, reversing the previous year's cuts. Around nine million pensioners are expected to benefit from this decision, with payments of £200 per household or £300 for households where someone is aged 80 or

Redress for Post Office Capture victims
23/06/2025 - More...
In a significant update, the UK government has unveiled a new compensation scheme targeting individuals affected by the earlier “Capture” software, used in over 2,000 Post Office branches during the 1990s. This programme aims to redress those who suffered financial losses prior to the widely known Horizon IT

Tax rules for savings interest
19/06/2025 - More...
You could earn up to £18,570 in tax-free savings interest in 2025-26, thanks to the personal allowance, starting rate for savings, and the Personal Savings Allowance. If your taxable income for the 2025-26 tax year is less than £17,570, you will not pay tax on the interest you receive. This figure combines the £5,000 starting rate for

Who must send in a tax return
19/06/2025 - More...
From self-employment to rental income, there are many reasons you may need to file a Self-Assessment return. Know the triggers and register with HMRC by 5 October if this is your first time. There are a number of reasons why you might need to complete a self-assessment return. This includes if you are self-employed, a company director,

When do the higher rates of Income Tax apply
19/06/2025 - More...
Once your income passes £100,000, your tax-free allowance starts to shrink. Between £100,000 and £125,140, the effective tax rate climbs to 60%, but smart planning can help. If you earn over £100,000 in any tax year your personal allowance is gradually reduced by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income over £100,000 irrespective of age.

2025 Spending Review published
19/06/2025 - More...
The government’s 2025 Spending Review outlines a major funding boost for healthcare, defence, housing, and infrastructure to support long-term recovery and growth. The 2025 Spending Review was published on 11 June 2025 and outlines the government's plans to support the country’s recovery by investing in security, health, and the economy.

Present rates of Corporation Tax
19/06/2025 - More...
Corporation Tax rises with profit levels. Marginal relief bridges the gap, easing businesses from the 19% small profits rate to the 25% main rate. The Corporation Tax Main Rate applies to companies with profits exceeding £250,000 and is currently set at 25%. For companies with profits up to £50,000, a Small Profit Rate (SPR) of 19% is

VAT Annual Accounting
19/06/2025 - More...
Streamline your VAT reporting with fewer returns and smoother cash flow. The Annual Accounting Scheme makes VAT easier to manage for eligible small businesses. The VAT Annual Accounting Scheme is designed to simplify VAT reporting for smaller businesses with an annual taxable turnover of up to £1.35 million. One of the main advantages of

Effects of Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review
16/06/2025 - More...
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first Spending Review to Parliament last week, setting out the government’s financial priorities for the next three years. Her approach signals a shift away from austerity towards a strategy of state-backed investment, aimed at boosting growth and productivity while maintaining fiscal