News
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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What is the advance tax certainty service?
15/01/2026
If your business is planning a major UK investment, HMRC’s new advance tax certainty service could give you binding clarity on the tax position before you commit.
HMRC has recently published draft guidance on the new advance tax certainty service as part of the government’s Corporate Tax Roadmap at the Autumn Budget 2024, where the
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Creative Industry Corporation Tax reliefs
15/01/2026
If your business works in film, TV, games or the arts, Creative Industry Tax Reliefs could reduce your Corporation Tax bill and may even generate a payable tax credit.
Creative Industry Tax Reliefs (CITR) are a range of UK Corporation Tax reliefs designed to support companies operating in the creative sector. The reliefs allow qualifying
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Expenses for the self-employed
15/01/2026
If you are self-employed, knowing which everyday costs you can legitimately claim can make a real difference to how much tax you end up paying.
The question of which costs you can claim against your self-employed business is a common one. If you are self-employed it is important to be aware if an expense is allowable or not. Any
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Pre-trading expenditure for companies
15/01/2026
Starting a new business can be expensive, but many of your pre-trading costs may qualify for tax relief if they meet the right conditions.
There are special tax reliefs for pre-trading expenses that are incurred before a business starts trading. This could include expenses that are required to help a business prepare for trading such as
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Company information in the public domain
15/01/2026
Did you know you can monitor any UK company for free and get email alerts when key details change, which can help protect your own business from unexpected or unauthorised filings?
A significant amount of information about companies is available in the public domain from Companies House. Companies House is responsible for incorporating
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Company liquidations and insolvencies are still elevated
12/01/2026
The Insolvency Service data for England and Wales shows monthly company insolvencies remain high by historical standards, even though they move up and down month to month. For example, November 2025 recorded 1,866 registered company insolvencies, down on October 2025 and also below the same month a year earlier. The wider context matters,
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Pre-tax year end planning
12/01/2026
Pre-tax year end planning is one of the most practical and controllable ways for UK businesses and higher rate taxpayers to reduce unnecessary tax exposure. Unlike long term restructuring, it focuses on decisions that can still be influenced before 5 April or, for companies, before the accounting year end. When done properly, it is not
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The scope of the trivial benefits legislation
08/01/2026
The trivial benefits legislation provides a simple and practical tax exemption that allows employers to give small non-cash benefits to employees without triggering tax or National Insurance charges.
To qualify as a trivial benefit, the cost to the employer must not exceed £50 per item. The benefit must not be cash or a cash voucher and
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New First Year Allowance from 1 January 2026
08/01/2026
The new 40% First Year Allowance (FYA) for qualifying main-rate plant and machinery expenditure first announced at Autumn Budget 2025 has now come into force.
Effective from 1 January 2026, the new FYA applies to qualifying main-rate plant and machinery expenditure. It was also announced at the recent Autumn Budget 2025 that the main
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Changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief reforms
08/01/2026
The government recently announced significant changes to the planned reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). The threshold for 100% relief will be increased from £1 million to £2.5 million when the changes take effect from 6 April 2026. The change will be introduced via an amendment to the Finance
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Did you file your tax return over the festive period?
08/01/2026
HMRC’s figures show thousands of taxpayers are filing over the festive period, but leaving your return until late January risks penalties, stress and avoidable payment problems.
A new press release by HMRC has highlighted that 4,606 taxpayers took the time to file their tax return online on Christmas Day with a further 10,479 taxpayers
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Company car expenses and benefits – what’s exempt?
08/01/2026
While company cars often come with tax implications, there are specific situations where the associated benefits may be exempt. There are circumstances where it can be possible to offer employees car benefits that are exempt from tax.
Exempt expenses and benefits include the following:
Business-only use: This rule has been the subject
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Starting or changing jobs
08/01/2026
Providing the right information when you start a new job helps ensure your tax code is correct from the first pay day and avoids the risk of paying too much tax.
When starting a new job or taking on additional employment, your new employer will usually send your income details to HMRC, which are used to calculate your tax code. If this
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Check a UK VAT number is authentic
08/01/2026
Verifying a VAT number before reclaiming VAT can protect your business from rejected claims, repayments, and unnecessary penalties.The online service for checking a UK VAT number is available at www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. This online tool allows businesses and individuals to verify the legitimacy of a UK VAT registration number,
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Suing whistleblowers for a breach of confidence is not a viable strategy
07/01/2026
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the initiation of legal or arbitral proceedings by an employer against a ‘whistleblower’ who has made a protected disclosure constitutes an actionable detriment under the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 1996, effectively overriding the defence of Judicial Proceedings Immunity, or JPI. In November 2021, the
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Learning from mistakes in business
05/01/2026
Making mistakes in business is unavoidable. No matter how experienced or careful someone is, decisions are made with imperfect information, time pressure and changing conditions. What separates resilient businesses from those that struggle is not the absence of mistakes, but the ability to learn from them and adapt.
The first step is
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Saving to pay tax
05/01/2026
For many individuals and business owners, paying tax is one of the largest regular financial commitments they face. Yet tax bills often arrive as a shock, not because the amounts are unexpected, but because the funds have not been set aside in advance. Developing a disciplined approach to saving for tax can remove stress, protect cash
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Bank of England delivers narrow vote rate cut
02/01/2026
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last met on 18 December and, in a narrow 5-4 vote, decided to reduce the interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 3.75%. All four dissenting members voted to keep the rate at 4%. This marks the sixth interest rate reduction since August 2024.
Inflation continues to fall,
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