News

Check how to claim a tax refund

19/02/2026

If you believe that you have overpaid tax to HMRC, you may be entitled to claim a tax refund. Overpayments can occur for a variety of reasons, including changes to employment, incorrect tax codes or unclaimed allowances. The process for making a claim will depend on whether you submit a self-assessment tax return and how long ago the tax

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HMRC reminder for self-employed and landlords

19/02/2026

If you have not yet checked whether you need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, you should do so urgently. HMRC has issued a timely reminder that for many self-employed and landlords the way to report tax to HMRC will change significantly from 6 April 2026.MTD for Income Tax is a significant move away from the traditional

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Who needs to file a self-assessment tax return

19/02/2026

There are several reasons why you might need to file a self-assessment tax return. This could apply if you are self-employed, a company director, have an annual income over £150,000, or receive income from savings, investments or property. You must file a self-assessment tax return if any of the following apply to you during the tax

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Claiming the Annual Investment Allowance

19/02/2026

The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) is a generous tax relief that allows for the total amount of qualifying expenditure on plant and machinery to be deducted from pre-tax profits. The maximum amount that can be claimed for the AIA is limited to a £1 million annual cap on qualifying purchases. The AIA can be claimed by an individual,

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Simplified expenses on motor vehicles

19/02/2026

There are simplified expenses arrangements available for sole traders and business partnerships (with no corporate partner) that allow the use of fixed mileage rates instead of working out the actual costs of buying and running a vehicle (such as fuel, insurance, servicing and repairs). This simplified method is optional, but if you

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Workplace pensions

19/02/2026

Automatic enrolment for workplace pensions has helped many employees to start making provision for their retirement with employers and government also contributing to make a larger pension pot. The law states that employers must automatically enrol workers into a workplace pension if they are aged between 22 and State Pension Age, earns

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Intimidating claimants with costs orders may be at an end.

16/02/2026

A claimant made allegations of unfair dismissal, discrimination, and detriment resulting from whistleblowing. While his claim against the Council was subsequently withdrawn early on, the claim against the private limited company proceeded.The respondent, however, argued that the claimant was a volunteer and that his claims were vexatious,

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Business exit planning matters

16/02/2026

For many business owners, the focus is firmly on growth, profitability and day to day operations. Exit planning is often treated as something to think about later, perhaps a few years before retirement or when a buyer appears. In reality, leaving exit planning until the end can significantly reduce the value of a business and limit the

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New business formations exceed business “deaths”

16/02/2026

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2025 the number of UK business births exceeded business deaths for a second successive year, pointing to a net increase in the total number of active enterprises. According to data from the Inter-Departmental Business Register, there were 313,715 new businesses

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31 January deadline met by more than 11.48 million people

12/02/2026

HMRC has confirmed that more than 11.48 million people submitted their 2024-25 self-assessment tax returns by the 31 January deadline. This included 475,722 taxpayers who left their filing until the final day and almost 27,456 that filed in the last hour (between 23:00 and 23:59) before the deadline! There are an estimated 1 million

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Sign up for online services

12/02/2026

HMRC online services allow individuals, businesses and agents to manage tax matters securely over the internet. Using an HMRC online account, you can send information such as self-assessment tax returns or VAT registration applications, view important records like your business or personal tax account and make payments online. To access

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Inheriting Additional State Pension

12/02/2026

The Additional State Pension is only available to those who reached the state pension age before 6 April 2016 and are receiving the Old State Pension. The Additional State Pension is an extra amount of money paid on top of the basic Old State Pension. The Old State Pension is designed to provide individuals of state pension age with a

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Claiming Business Asset Rollover Relief

12/02/2026

Claiming Business Asset Rollover Relief allows for the deferral of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when taxpayers sell or dispose of certain assets and use all or part of the proceeds to buy new business assets. The relief means that the tax on the gain of the old asset is effectively rolled over into the cost of the new asset with any CGT

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Entertaining employees

12/02/2026

In general, entertaining employees is an exception to the normal rule that business entertainment costs are not allowable for tax purposes. If an employer provides entertainment exclusively for employees and it is “wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade”, then the expenditure is allowable as a business deduction.

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Tax and property when you separate or divorce

12/02/2026

When a couple separates or divorces, most attention focuses on the emotional and practical aspects. However, it is important to consider the tax implications of transferring assets, as these can have significant financial consequences if not managed carefully. It is most important to consider if there are any Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

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Tax Diary March/April 2026

11/02/2026

1 March 2026 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 May 2025.2 March 2026 – Self-Assessment tax for 2024-25 paid after this date will incur a 5% surcharge unless liabilities are cleared by 1 April 2026, or an agreement has been reached with HMRC under their time to pay facility by the same date.19 March 2026 - PAYE and

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Budgeting and forecasting in a period of lower confidence

09/02/2026

Many business owners are entering the new year with a sense of caution. Confidence across the UK business community has softened, driven by continued cost pressures, uncertainty over tax policy and higher financing costs. In this environment, reviewing budgets and forecasts is not just a routine exercise, it is an essential management

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Business rates support and cash flow for hospitality businesses

09/02/2026

Hospitality businesses continue to operate in a challenging environment. Rising wage costs, energy prices and supply chain pressures have all placed strain on margins. Against this backdrop, recent business rates support measures offer welcome relief and can have a meaningful impact on cash flow and operating costs. For many pubs,

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What is a UK property business

05/02/2026

The income generated from land or property in the UK is treated as arising from a UK property business. The underlying legislation defines this broadly to include all activities that produce rental income or similar receipts from UK land, whether the taxpayer is subject to Income Tax or Corporation Tax. Although property income is

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What is a salaried member of an LLP

05/02/2026

The salaried member legislation applies to certain members of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) whose terms of membership are more like an employee than a partner. To be a salaried member, the individual must perform services for the LLP in their capacity as a member. The legislation uses a three-part test. If all three conditions

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Car and travel costs if self employed

05/02/2026

If you are self-employed, it is important to understand which car and travel costs can be claimed. You can claim allowable business expenses for car, van, or travel costs, which reduce your taxable profit. Typical allowable costs include: Vehicle insurance Repairs and servicing Fuel Parking Hire charges Vehicle tax and licence

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Eligibility for Business Asset Disposal Relief

05/02/2026

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) can significantly reduce the Capital Gains Tax due when selling a business or shares, but with higher rates coming from April 2026, timing and eligibility matter more than ever. BADR applies to the sale of a business, shares in a trading company, or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership.

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New employee starter checklist

05/02/2026

Setting up the correct tax code when a new employee starts is essential, as even small payroll errors can lead to unnecessary tax overpayments and avoidable complications later on. When hiring a new employee, employers need to ensure the correct tax code and starter declaration are set up in their payroll system. Using the wrong tax code

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Do you charge VAT when you sell a company car?

05/02/2026

The question of whether or not you are required to charge VAT when selling a company car depends on how the vehicle was bought and whether VAT was recovered at the time. Understanding these distinctions can help ensure the correct VAT treatment and avoids costly errors. If your business sells a car on which VAT was recovered, such as a

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Payments made into employee benefit trusts constitute taxable income

04/02/2026

A Tribunal recently ruled that payments made for work into a third-party trust constitute immediate employment earnings. This decision effectively precludes employers from using loan-based structures to obfuscate remuneration.Mr. Jack was employed by an offshore company based in the Isle of Man while living and working in the UK. Under

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The rise of the silver economy

02/02/2026

The term “silver economy” is used to describe the growing economic activity linked to an ageing population. In the UK and across much of the developed world, people are living longer, healthier lives. This demographic shift is reshaping consumer demand, labour markets, and public policy, and it is creating both challenges and

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Turning waste disposal into an income stream

02/02/2026

For many businesses, waste disposal is seen purely as a cost, an unavoidable expense required to stay compliant and keep operations running smoothly. However, there is growing interest in the idea that waste, when managed differently, can become a modest but meaningful source of income rather than a drain on resources. The starting point

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Construction Industry Scheme: tackling fraud

29/01/2026

Tackling fraud in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) was one of the measures addressed in the recent Budget. The changes are intended to allow faster intervention where fraud is suspected, while also simplifying certain administrative aspects of the CIS. From 6 April 2026, HMRC will be able to act immediately where a business makes

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Scottish Budget Statement 2026-27

29/01/2026

Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison delivered her third Budget statement to the Scottish parliament on 13 January 2026. This is the final Budget before the Holyrood elections due to take place in May. There were no changes announced to the Scottish Income Tax rates. Following the UK Government’s extension of personal tax

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MTD for Income Tax – check if and when you need to use it

29/01/2026

If you have not yet checked if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, you should do so as a matter of urgency. This is because from April 2026 the way many individuals report their tax to HMRC will change significantly. MTD for Income Tax represents a move away from the traditional annual self-assessment process

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Welsh Budget 2026-27

29/01/2026

The Welsh Final Budget for 2026-27 was published on 20 January 2026. The Budget sets out the Welsh government’s revenue and capital spending plans, including detailed portfolio spending plans. Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language confirmed that the Final Budget provides £27.5bn for people, public services

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New 40% First Year Allowance now in force

29/01/2026

The new 40% First Year Allowance came into force from 1 January 2026. This marks an important development for businesses investing in plant and machinery. The new allowance was first announced at Autumn Budget 2025 and is intended to encourage continued capital investment while changes to other capital allowance rates take effect. This

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PAYE rules for labour supply chains (umbrella companies)

29/01/2026

From 6 April 2026, significant changes to PAYE rules will affect umbrella companies, recruitment agencies, and end clients, increasing shared responsibility for payroll compliance across labour supply chains. Umbrella companies are often used by freelancers, contractors, and temporary workers who prefer not to operate as limited

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Check your National Insurance record

29/01/2026

It is recommended to check your National Insurance record as this can affect your future entitlement to the State Pension and other benefits. By using the online service, you can see what National Insurance contributions you have paid up to the start of the current tax year, along with any National Insurance credits you have received.

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Protecting your online passwords

26/01/2026

With so many online accounts now in daily use, including banking, shopping, email and HMRC services, password security has never been more important. A weak or reused password can lead to fraud, identity theft, or unauthorised access to personal and business information. A good first step is to use strong, unique passwords for every

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Do you need a company audit in the UK?

26/01/2026

Not every UK limited company needs a statutory audit. Many smaller companies qualify for audit exemption, but it is important to understand the rules, as an audit may still be required in certain situations. For financial years starting on or after 6 April 2025, a company is generally audit exempt if it qualifies as a small company and

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Basis period reform – spreading rules for payment

22/01/2026

If your business has transitional profits from basis period reform, spreading over five years may reduce the cash flow impact, but it is important to understand the deadlines. The self-employed basis period reform has changed the way trading income is allocated to tax years. Under these reforms, the basis of assessment moved from a

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Struggling to meet tax payments this month?

22/01/2026

With the balancing payment and first payment on account both due on 31 January 2026, it is worth checking your options early if funds are tight. The final balancing payment for the 2024-25 tax year is due by 31 January 2026, which is also the deadline for filing your self-assessment tax return. This payment will settle any remaining tax

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Selling a second property?

22/01/2026

CGT on certain UK residential property sales often has a strict 60-day reporting and payment deadline, so early planning can avoid penalties. If you are selling a second property, such as a buy-to-let or a former home that is no longer your main residence, CGT will usually apply. This is different from selling your main home, which is

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Saving tax using the Marriage Allowance

22/01/2026

If one partner earns under £12,570, you could transfer part of their unused personal allowance and cut your tax bill by up to £252 a year. The Marriage Allowance applies to married couples and civil partners where one partner does not pay Income Tax, usually because their income is below the personal allowance. For the 2025-26 tax year,

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Annual payroll reporting chores

22/01/2026

There are a number of annual payroll reporting issues that employers are required to complete. With the tax year ending on 5 April 2026, this means there are several key payroll reporting chores that will need to be considered over the coming months. One of the main requirements is submitting a final PAYE return for the tax year. The

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Corporation Tax 19% or 25%?

22/01/2026

If your company profits sit between £50,000 and £250,000, marginal relief can soften the jump from 19% to 25% Corporation Tax. The Corporation Tax main rate applies to companies with taxable profits above £250,000 and is currently set at 25%. Companies with profits of up to £50,000 are subject to the Small Profits Rate, which remains at

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Spring Statement 2026

22/01/2026

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has confirmed that she will deliver the Spring Statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. The Spring Statement is used to give an update on the state of the economy and will respond to the economic and fiscal forecast published by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The Spring

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Take care when labelling a bonus as discretionary in a contract

22/01/2026

The High Court recently ruled on the interpretation and enforceability of "discretionary" bonus provisions in employment contracts. Mr. Gagliardi brought a breach of employment contract claim against a former hedge fund which had contracted him as a senior portfolio manager. The contract in question included a salary, a sign-on payment, a

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What banks look at when a small business applies for a loan

19/01/2026

When a small business applies for a bank loan, the bank is mainly trying to answer one question, “How likely is it that we will be repaid, on time and in full?” To reach that decision, they will review a mix of financial evidence, trading performance and the overall risk profile of the business. A key factor is affordability.

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What factors affect a person’s credit rating?

19/01/2026

A person’s credit rating (often referred to as a credit score) is a measure used by lenders to assess how reliably someone manages borrowing and financial commitments. It can affect whether credit is offered at all, the interest rate charged and even the size of deposit required for certain products. Although each lender uses its own

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Tax Diary February/March 2026

16/01/2026

1 February 2026 - Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 30 April 2025.19 February 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 February 2026. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 February 2026)19 February 2026 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 February 2026.19

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MTD for Income Tax – what’s required from April 2026

15/01/2026

From April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will become mandatory for many self-employed persons and landlords, marking a significant change in how they manage their tax affairs. The new regime is designed to modernise the tax system by requiring taxpayers to interact with HMRC through an online tax account, rather

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