The chancellor Rachel Reeves announced as part of the Autumn Budget measures that the Income Tax thresholds will be maintained at their current levels for a further three years until April 2031. This will see the personal tax allowance frozen at £12,570 through to April 2031 across the UK. In addition, the higher rate threshold will
More...The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves announced increases to the Minimum Wage rates on the eve of the Budget. The Chancellor confirmed that the government has accepted in full the proposals of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) for increasing minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026.The National Living Wage (NLW) rate will increase from
More...The Chancellor has kept the main pension allowances unchanged but has confirmed a new cap on salary sacrifice arrangements that will apply from April 2029. There had been heated speculation that the Chancellor would change the pension rules to help the government raise taxes, but no changes were announced to the annual allowance (which
More...The Chancellor has confirmed a series of duty increases on tobacco, vaping liquid, and alcohol that will take effect over the next year, with new rates intended to balance public health concerns with support for producers and the wider hospitality sector. As part of the Autumn Budget measures the Chancellor announced that the duty rates
More...In the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor had been expected to increase fuel duty rates. However, she has extended the fuel duty cut for a further 6 months to help support households and businesses. The Chancellor said ‘I know that the cost of travelling to and from work is still too expensive, so I am extending the 5p cut until September
More...Starting in 2028-29, the government will introduce a High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) for residential properties in England valued at £2 million or more. This surcharge will be collected by local authorities, but the revenue will go to central government. High Value Council Tax Surcharge Charging Structure Property
More...The degree of speculation about this year’s Budget announcements was further compounded when the Office of Budgetary Responsibility uploaded their report on Budget changes prior to Rachel Reeves announcements to Parliament. However, there are to be no changes to the main rates of Income Tax, NIC and VAT that affect wage earners across
More...Most business owners know that progress matters, but many still hesitate when it comes to planning. It can feel like an extra task or something that only large companies need to worry about. Yet, in practice, steady planning is one of the simplest ways to create real progress in any small or medium sized business. The link between the two
More...Many business owners focus on sales as the main driver of growth. Sales matter, but they are only part of the story. Real financial growth happens when a business retains profits. Keeping a portion of earnings inside the business, rather than extracting everything each year, creates stability, resilience and long term value. It is one of
More...Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord and have over £50,000 in qualifying income you need to start preparing to submit quarterly updates, keeping digital records and cope with a new penalty system.Your qualifying income is the total income you
More...If you earn fees or sell goods as a side hustle, you may need to pay tax on your profits. HMRC has launched a new press release encouraging Christmas crafters and anyone with a fee earning hobby to check their tax reporting obligations as part of its Help for Hustles campaign. This is relevant to individuals earning extra income, whether
More...A demerger involves splitting the trading activities of a single company or group into two or more independent entities. This can be facilitated by distributing the assets of a holding company to its shareholders. There are special statutory demerger provisions that are designed to make it easier to divide and put into separate corporate
More...While there are many state benefits available, it is not always clear which of these are taxable and which are tax-free. HMRC’s guidance outlines the following list of the most common state benefits which are taxable, subject to the usual limits: Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension) Carer’s Allowance or (in Scotland
More...Claiming Child Benefit can provide an important benefit by granting National Insurance credits. If you claim Child Benefit and your child is under 12, you will automatically receive National Insurance credits. This in turn will protect your contribution record during periods of home responsibility. The child benefit rates for the only
More...If you use your own money to buy items for work, you may be eligible to claim tax relief as long as the items are essential for your job and are used solely for work purposes. Flat rate expenses (also known as a flat rate deduction) allows you to claim tax relief for a fixed amount each tax year to cover the costs of work clothing and
More...The claimant began employment as a Contracts Coordinator on 23 January 2023, subject to a contractual 6-month probationary period, one which required 5 weeks' notice for termination. The contract included a garden leave clause, but no clause permitting Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON). Disputes soon arose over his work patterns and
More...The daily charge for driving within the London Congestion Charge zone will rise from £15 to £18 from 2 January 2026. This is the first increase in several years and forms part of Transport for London’s wider plan to manage traffic levels, improve air quality and support sustainable travel across the capital. Transport for London has said
More...Many small businesses rely on a mix of overdrafts, card facilities and short term loans to maintain day to day cash flow. During the past year banks and alternative lenders have become more cautious, and several indicators suggest that credit conditions will tighten further during 2026. For business owners, a little early preparation can
More...The Department for Business & Trade has recently published a report that outlines the government's enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) for the 2024–25 financial year.The Government is committed to ensuring that all workers receive the minimum wage to which they are entitled, and HMRC enforces
More...HMRC is currently contacting certain sole traders by email to reiterate the importance of adjusting business expenses for personal use.The email explains:why personal use must be adjusted on your self-assessment tax return; andwhat you need to do if your business expenses cover business and personal use.The email also includes links to
More...HMRC offers a helpful online tool that allows agents and taxpayers to check when they can expect a response to a query or request that they have made. The online tool is updated weekly with the latest information.The full list of taxes the tool can currently be used for are as follows:Child BenefitCorporation TaxConstruction Industry
More...The free HMRC tax app now provides quick access to tax codes, income history, self-assessment details, National Insurance records and even payment options, all from your phone. HMRC’s free tax app is available to download from the App Store for iOS and from the Google Play Store for Android. The latest version of the app includes some
More...If you are unable to pay your tax bill, it's important to reach out to HMRC as soon as possible. HMRC may offer a Time to Pay arrangement, allowing you to settle the debt in manageable instalments based on your financial situation. Taxpayers with liabilities of up to £30,000 can use the online Time to Pay (TTP) service to set up
More...Many businesses are still unaware that the VAT late filing and late payment rules now operate on a points-based system, where repeated delays can quickly lead to a £200 penalty and added interest. The VAT late filing penalties regime changed for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. Under the new system, there are
More...A limited company is a separate legal entity. In normal circumstances, its debts belong to the company, not to the directors. This is one of the central advantages of incorporation. However, the protection is not absolute. Directors have duties in law, and if those duties are not met, there are situations where personal liability can
More...Current estimates suggest that there are around 5.6 million businesses operating in the UK. This figure comes from the Department for Business and Trade and the Office for National Statistics. What stands out is that most of these businesses are very small. The vast majority are run by one person, without employees, either as sole traders
More...1 December 2025 - Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 28 February 2025. 19 December 2025 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 December 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 December 2025). 19 December 2025 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 December
More...Where cryptoasset tokens (also known as cryptocurrency) are held personally, this investment is usually undertaken in the hope of making a capital appreciation in its value or to make particular purchases. HMRC is clear that these holdings will usually be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if there is a gain when disposing of these
More...If your business imports goods into the UK, it is important to be familiar with the Customs Declaration Service and to ensure that any duty payments are made correctly and on time to avoid delays, interest or penalties. The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is a specially designed IT platform used for completing customs declarations for
More...There is a trivial benefit-in-kind (BiK) exemption that applies to small, non-cash gifts (such as a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers) that are occasionally given to employees. This exemption enables employers to offer modest, tax-efficient rewards while simplifying the administration of BiKs. The BiK exemption allows businesses to
More...A Company Voluntary Arrangement (also known as a CVA) is a special arrangement that allows a company with debt problems or that is insolvent to reach a voluntary agreement to pay its business creditors over a fixed period of time. The arrangement is similar to the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) that can be used by a sole-trader
More...Most employees will come across forms such as the P45, P11D and P60 during their working life, and knowing what each one is for can make it much easier to keep track of your tax position. A P45 is issued to employees who leave their employment or lose their job. The P45 shows how much tax you have paid during the current tax year (6
More...It is quite common for tax codes to be wrong, particularly if your income or employment situation has changed, so it is worth taking a few moments to check that HMRC has the correct information about you. HMRC usually updates your tax code automatically when your income changes, using information provided by your employer. However, if
More...A recent ruling has established that temporary worker arrangements do not constitute a single, continuous employment relationship in which workers retain the unfettered right to refuse assignments. This effectively confirms the prerequisite for a mutuality of obligation when accruing tax breaks. Mainpay engaged temporary workers in the
More...Many businesses arrange insurance in the early days and then only look at it again when something changes, or when a renewal comes around. The difficulty with this approach is that risks evolve over time, and gaps in cover often only become visible when there is a claim. A short review with an insurance broker can help ensure that your
More...Taking on the role of a company director is more than holding a title. Directors have legal duties that shape how a company is run, how decisions are made and how risks are managed. These responsibilities exist to protect the business, its shareholders, employees and anyone who deals with the company. Even in a small or family run
More...Last week, we covered the new requirement for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identities from 18 November 2025. This process will be rolled out over 12 months, with Companies House reaching out directly to companies, providing guidance on what actions need to be taken and the deadlines for each
More...If you are thinking about selling a business or shares, it is important to understand how Business Asset Disposal Relief works, particularly with rates set to increase from April 2026. Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) provides a valuable tax advantage, offering a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale of a business,
More...The tax you pay on the use of a company car depends largely on its CO2 emissions, so choosing a lower emission or electric vehicle can make a significant difference to your overall tax cost. The benefits in kind (BIK) tax on company cars can be quite significant, with taxable rates ranging from 3% to 37% of the car’s list price when new.
More...If your business has relatively low VATable expenses, the VAT Flat Rate Scheme can simplify your VAT reporting and may also improve cash flow. The VAT Flat Rate Scheme is designed to simplify VAT accounting for small businesses. Instead of calculating VAT on each sale and purchase, businesses pay a fixed percentage of their total
More...If you file a Self-Assessment return you may need to pay your tax in three instalments, so it is useful to know when payments on account apply and when they can be reduced or removed. The first two payments on account are due by 31 January during the tax year and by the 31 July after the tax year has ended. Each payment on account is
More...If you are self-employed and your profits are above £12,570, you may need to pay Class 4 National Insurance, so it is important to understand how the rates and rules apply to you. Self-employed individuals are usually required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs) if their annual profits exceed £12,570. These
More...Recently, a clear legal precedent confirmed that the nature of an individual's work is determined by the reality of the actual employment relationship rather than by arbitrary titles. Mr. Gooch worked for the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) from 1 November 2011 until 26 April 2024, initially as a Policy Director on a
More...Change is part of every business journey. Whether it is prompted by new technology, regulation or shifts in the market, the ability to adapt determines how well a business performs in the long term. Yet managing change is not simply about introducing something new. It is about understanding what needs to change, why it matters and how to
More...For any business, knowing how to value and price what it sells is fundamental to success. Yet many small firms still rely on guesswork or simply copy competitors’ prices without understanding whether their own costs, quality or value proposition justify those figures. Accountants can play an important role in helping clients to take a
More...From 18 November 2025, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be legally required to verify their identity at Companies House. This verification is being phased in over 12 months and Companies House is contacting companies directly with guidance regarding what needs to be done and by when. These changes are
More...If you have sold a UK residential property since 6 April 2020, it is important to be aware that the reporting and payment deadlines for Capital Gains Tax have changed. For property sales completed on or after 27 October 2021, any Capital Gains Tax that becomes payable must now be reported and paid within 60 days of completion. This
More...Companies can reduce their Corporation Tax bill through a range of reliefs, including R&D credits, Patent Box, and creative industry tax reliefs, all of which will help to lower the overall tax on profits. Your company can also claim capital allowances for assets such as equipment, machinery and cars bought to use in your
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