News

Transfer pricing consultation
17/07/2025 - More...
New UK transfer pricing rules could mean more reporting and fewer exemptions for mid-sized businesses. The government is consulting on proposals to tighten compliance and align with global standards. One key change would remove the transfer pricing exemption for medium-sized enterprises, keeping it only for small businesses. Another would

Higher penalties for MTD filers
17/07/2025 - More...
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord earning over £50,000 you need to start preparing to submit quarterly updates, keeping digital records and a new penalty system will apply. Initially, MTD for IT will apply to businesses, self-employed individuals, and

Helping family or friends with their tax
17/07/2025 - More...
Need to help a relative or friend with tax? HMRC’s Trusted Helper service makes it quick and easy to support someone online. Whether it is checking Income Tax, updating their personal details or reviewing taxable benefits like company cars or medical insurance, you can do it all with their permission. After registering as a trusted

Applying for a National Insurance number
17/07/2025 - More...
Working or claiming benefits in the UK? You may need to apply for a National Insurance number first. If you do not already have one, your NI number is essential for tracking tax, National Insurance contributions and accessing certain government services. While most UK residents receive their number at age 16, newcomers or those starting

New requirements for Overseas Entities
17/07/2025 - More...
Overseas property owners must now report earlier ownership changes or risk penalties from 31 July 2025. Under new rules introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, entities that registered on the UK’s Register of Overseas Entities must disclose any changes in beneficial ownership that occurred during their

Double Tax Conventions and IHT
17/07/2025 - More...
Double tax on estates can still hit families hard, even with treaties in place. When someone dies with ties to more than one country, their estate may face inheritance tax in both jurisdictions. Fortunately, the UK has Double Taxation Conventions with several countries to help reduce or eliminate this burden. Understanding how these

Choosing the right KPI’s for your business
14/07/2025 - More...
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not just numbers on a dashboard; they are tools to help business owners make better decisions. But with so many metrics available, how do you know which ones matter most for your business? The answer is simple: start with your goal. KPIs should always support what you are trying to achieve, whether

Why industry expertise matters when starting a business
14/07/2025 - More...
Starting your own business can be an exciting and liberating decision. But passion and ambition alone are rarely enough. One of the most overlooked factors in business failure is a lack of direct experience or knowledge in the chosen industry. Put simply, someone who has spent their working life as a plumber is unlikely to make a success

The Employment Allowance – what you can claim
10/07/2025 - More...
As of April 2025, more employers can claim the increased £10,500 Employment Allowance thanks to relaxed eligibility rules. This increase will help employers reduce some of the impact of the recent increases in employers' NIC. The Employment Allowance allows eligible employers to reduce their National Insurance liability. The current

The impact of frozen personal allowances
10/07/2025 - More...
The impact of frozen personal allowances often leads to fiscal drag, a situation where individuals pay more tax as their earnings rise without a corresponding increase in allowances. This occurs because tax thresholds remain fixed while wages increase, thus pushing more people into higher tax brackets or causing them to pay tax for the

Goodbye remittance basis hello FIG
10/07/2025 - More...
Since 6 April 2025, the remittance basis of taxation for non-UK domiciled individuals (non-doms) has been replaced by the Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime. This shift marks a significant change, as the new FIG regime is based on tax residence rather than domicile. Under the revised rules, almost all UK-resident individuals must

Struggling to fund your July tax payment?
10/07/2025 - More...
The second 2024-25 payment on account for self-assessment taxpayers is due on 31 July 2025. If you are finding it difficult to meet this tax bill, there are options available to ease the burden. Taxpayers with liabilities of up to £30,000 can use the online Time to Pay (TTP) service to set up instalment payments. This service is

File and paying CGT after property sales
10/07/2025 - More...
Capital Gains Tax on certain residential property sales must be reported and paid within 60 days to avoid penalties and interest. The annual exempt amount applicable to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is currently £3,000. CGT is normally charged at a simple flat rate of 24% and this applies to most chargeable gains made by individuals. If

Don’t forget to pay your Class 1A NIC
10/07/2025 - More...
Employers must act now to meet the deadline for paying Class 1A NICs for 2024-25 to avoid HMRC penalties. These contributions are due by 19 July 2025 if paying by post, or by 22 July 2025 for electronic payments. Class 1A NICs apply to most taxable benefits given to employees and directors, including company cars and private medical

Tax Diary August/September 2025
09/07/2025 - More...
1 August 2025 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 31 October 2024. 19 August 2025 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 August 2025 (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 August 2025) 19 August 2025 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 August 2025. 19 August

Being paid directly is not a confirmation that you are an employee
09/07/2025 - More...
A Tribunal has provided a landmark ruling over employer-employee status in the context of direct payments made under the Care Act 2014, ruling that an LA was not in fact the direct employer of a carer. The appeal revolved around the question of whether the LA was the de facto employer of V, who had provided care and support to his adult

Autumn Budget 2025: What Changes Might Be on the Horizon?
07/07/2025 - More...
As we look ahead to the Autumn Budget 2025, it is clear that the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will be under pressure to balance public expectations with fiscal reality. A combination of reduced growth forecasts, increased borrowing costs, and the reversal of planned welfare savings has narrowed the government’s room for manoeuvre. Early

Why exit planning matters – even in the early years of your business
07/07/2025 - More...
Starting and growing a business is an exciting and demanding challenge. It is easy to focus all your energy on immediate goals like winning customers, generating income, and keeping cash flow under control. But at some point, every business owner will exit, whether through sale, succession, or closure. That is why having a clear exit plan

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