Aynesley Walters Cohen Ltd - Chartered Accountants Croydon

December 15, 2025

Tax Diary January/February 2026

1 January 2026 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 March 202519 January 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 January 2026. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 January 2026).19 January 2026 - Filing deadline for...

December 11, 2025

Agricultural and business property relief changes

Agricultural and business property relief changes that were first announced at Autumn Budget 2024 will come into effect from 6 April 2026. These measures will introduce significant reforms to Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which provide Inheritance Tax (IHT) relief on qualifying business and agricultural assets....

December 11, 2025

Winter Fuel Payment tax charge

The June 2025 reforms introduce a £35,000 income limit for keeping the Winter Fuel Payment, with HMRC recovering the payment from those above the threshold. The WFP is a tax-free payment provided by the government to help older people keep warm during winter. The amount of the payment depends on...

December 11, 2025

VCT and EIS changes

The new rules will allow companies to raise more capital under the following schemes although investors will need to factor in reduced VCT Income Tax relief when assessing opportunities. The Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) are designed to encourage private investment into trading companies. Both schemes help...

December 11, 2025

Property and savings income subject to new tax rates

The government announced at Budget 2025 that dividend income, property and savings income, will be subject to new tax rates. These changes will be legislated for through the Finance Bill 2025–26 and will be phased in between April 2026 and April 2027. Dividend income From April 2026, most dividend income...

December 8, 2025

The value of an overhead audit

Many businesses regard their overheads as fixed, predictable, and largely outside their control. In reality, an overhead audit often uncovers costs that have risen quietly, services that are no longer used, and processes that have gone unchallenged for far too long. Carrying out a structured review of overheads can make...

December 8, 2025

Avoid over-stocking

Accountants often see the impact that excess stock has on a business long before the business owner realises what is happening. Over-stocking drains cash, fills storage space, increases waste, and restricts flexibility at key moments. Many business owners still treat high stock levels as a sign of strength, yet in...

December 4, 2025

Work out your VAT fuel scale charge

VAT road fuel scale charges are fixed, standardised amounts that businesses must use to account for output VAT when they provide fuel for private use in a vehicle that is also used for business purposes. The VAT road fuel scale charges are published annually with the current figures applying from...

December 4, 2025

Less than 2 months to self-assessment filing deadline

There are now less than 2 months to the self-assessment filing deadline for submissions of the 2024-25 tax returns. We urge our readers who have not yet completed and filed their 2024-25 tax return to file as soon as possible to avoid the stress of last-minute preparations as the 31...

December 4, 2025

Update from HMRC on MTD testing

HMRC has published a new Making Tax Digital newsletter. This newsletter is mainly intended for taxpayers and agents who are currently testing the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) system. MTD for IT will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. For nearly two years, HMRC has...

December 4, 2025

Increase in savings guarantee for bank deposits

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has raised its savings guarantee for bank deposits, increasing the deposit protection limit from £85,000 to £120,000 per person. This change came into effect on 1 December 2025 and marks a significant increase in how your bank deposits are protected in the UK. This new deposit...

December 2, 2025

When disciplinary processes and non-compete clauses implode

Many modern companies insist on the inclusion of restrictive covenants to limit the freedoms of employees upon the termination of their contracts. However, the High Court recently reinforced the stringent legal principles governing the enforceability of such restrictive covenants, suggesting that they often overstep.A young man had been working as...

December 1, 2025

The likely direction of interest rates in 2026

As we look ahead to 2026, there is growing speculation about how the Bank of England will manage interest rates during what many economists believe will be a period of calmer inflation, steadier wage growth and a more predictable economic backdrop. After several years shaped by sharp price rises, supply...

December 1, 2025

Outlook For Food And Energy Prices In The Year Ahead

Food and energy costs remain central concerns for households and businesses because they influence everything from wages to margins to day to day operating decisions. Inflation is easing compared to the volatility of the last few years, but the picture for the next twelve months is still mixed. Prices appear...

November 27, 2025

Autumn Budget 2025 – Alcohol and Tobacco Duty

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...

November 27, 2025

Autumn Budget 2025 – Pension changes

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...

November 27, 2025

Autumn Budget 2025 – Minimum Wage increases

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...

November 27, 2025

Autumn Budget 2025 – Personal Tax changes

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...

November 26, 2025

Budget Summary 26 November 2025

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...

November 24, 2025

How a business grows financially by retaining profits

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...

November 24, 2025

The link between planning and progress

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...

November 20, 2025

Taxable & tax-free state benefits

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...

November 20, 2025

What is a demerger?

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...

November 20, 2025

Christmas crafters and tax

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....

November 20, 2025

MTD – qualifying income

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...

November 19, 2025

Early termination of probation can constitute wrongful dismissal

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...

November 17, 2025

Preparing for tighter credit conditions in 2026

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...

November 17, 2025

Increase in the London congestion charge from January 2026

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...

November 13, 2025

Set up your tax app with HMRC

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...

November 13, 2025

Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC

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...

November 13, 2025

HMRC contacting sole traders

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...

November 13, 2025

Enforcement of the minimum wage

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...

November 10, 2025

How many businesses are there in the UK?

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,...

November 10, 2025

Directors liability for company debts

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...

November 7, 2025

Tax Diary December 2025/January 2026

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...

November 6, 2025

Company Voluntary Arrangements

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)...

November 6, 2025

Tax and trivial benefits

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...

November 6, 2025

Pay for imports declared via the CDS

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...

November 6, 2025

Tell HMRC about unpaid tax on cryptoassets

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...

November 5, 2025

Tread carefully when using temporary contracts to confer tax breaks

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 service sector, contending...

November 3, 2025

Understanding the responsibilities of company directors

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...

November 3, 2025

Reviewing insurance cover

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...

October 30, 2025

Advantages of VAT Flat Rate Scheme

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...

October 30, 2025

Taxable benefits for use of company car

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...

October 30, 2025

Business Asset Disposal Relief – the present rates

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...

October 30, 2025

Why ID verification is supposedly good for business

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...

October 27, 2025

Valuing and pricing goods and services

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...

October 27, 2025

Facing change with confidence

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...

October 23, 2025

Reporting foreign income to HMRC

If you are UK resident and receive income from abroad, such as overseas wages, rent, or investments, you may need to pay UK Income Tax and report it through Self-Assessment. Income Tax is generally payable on taxable income received by individuals including earnings from employment, earnings from self-employment, pensions income,...

October 23, 2025

Reliefs and allowances for Corporation Tax purposes

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...

October 23, 2025

Report and pay Capital Gains Tax

If you sell assets such as shares or land, you may need to report your Capital Gains Tax either through Self-Assessment or HMRC’s ‘real time’ CGT service; deadlines and rates depend on the type of asset sold. If you have Capital Gains that are not related to the sale of...

October 23, 2025

Have you verified your ID at Companies House?

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....

October 22, 2025

Don’t be tempted to withhold pay as a form of leverage

Ms Constantine had been a veterinary surgeon since 2017. Initially, she had worked every day with two half days rest, but this increased to four full days and a weekend every three weeks. Moreover, she was required to seek permission to be absent on those days she was not required...

October 20, 2025

Why solvency is the true test of business strength

Every successful business, no matter how innovative or fast-growing, ultimately depends on one simple measure: solvency. A solvent business is one that owns more than it owes, with sufficient assets to cover its debts and the means to continue trading. It is not just an accounting concept, but a signal...

October 20, 2025

UK productivity remains disappointingly weak

The UK continues to struggle with low productivity growth, a long-running challenge that shows little sign of improvement. In the three months to June 2025, output per hour worked was around 1.5% above its pre-pandemic level, but it actually fell by almost 1% compared with the same period a year...

October 17, 2025

CIS – qualifying for gross payment status

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a set of special rules for tax and National Insurance for those working in the construction industry. Businesses in the construction industry are known as 'contractors' and 'subcontractors' and should be aware of the tax implications of the scheme. Under the scheme, contractors are...

October 16, 2025

Loss of personal allowance – the £100k ceiling

For the current tax year, taxpayers with adjusted net income between £100,000 and £125,140 will face an effective marginal tax rate of 60%, as their £12,570 tax-free personal allowance is gradually withdrawn. If a taxpayer earns over £100,000 in any tax year, their personal allowance is gradually reduced by £1...

October 16, 2025

Deduction of tax on yearly interest

The tax legislation requires the deduction of tax from yearly interest that arises in the UK. This typically refers to interest that is subject to Income Tax or Corporation Tax. The legislation requires the deduction of tax from yearly interest, if: paid by a company, a local authority, a firm...

October 16, 2025

Business Asset Disposal Relief changes

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) offers a significant tax benefit by reducing the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale of a business, shares in a trading company or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership. On 6 April 2025, the BADR CGT rate increased from 10% to...

October 16, 2025

Claiming 4-years Foreign Income and Gains relief

The remittance basis of taxation for non-UK domiciled individuals (non-doms) was replaced with the new Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime from April 2025. This new regime is based on tax residence rather than domicile. Under the new rules, nearly all UK-resident individuals must report their foreign income and gains...

October 16, 2025

VAT on goods you export

Exports from Great Britain or Northern Ireland can be zero-rated for VAT, provided businesses obtain valid export evidence within three months of sale and meet all HMRC documentation rules; accuracy and record-keeping are key to keeping the 0% rate. Businesses are required to charge VAT on most goods that are...

October 13, 2025

Winning new contracts without offering punitive credit terms

In today’s competitive market, many businesses feel pressured to extend generous payment terms to win new contracts. However, offering long or risky credit arrangements can strain cash flow and expose you to unnecessary financial risk. The good news is that there are other, more sustainable ways to attract and retain...

October 13, 2025

Business meetings – Face to face or online?

The way we meet has changed dramatically in recent years. Technology now makes it possible to discuss projects, close deals and hold team meetings without ever leaving our desks. Yet for many, there is still something powerful about sitting across the table from another person. Both formats have their place,...

October 9, 2025

The Marriage Allowance if circumstances change

Married couples and civil partners could save up to £252 a year by transferring part of one partner’s unused personal allowance to the other, but you may need to cancel the claim if your income or relationship status changes. The Marriage Allowance applies to married couples and civil partners where one...

October 9, 2025

Understanding the tax implications of divorce

When a couple is separating or undergoing divorce proceedings, tax issues are often not the first thing on their minds. However, alongside the emotional challenges, it is important to understand the tax implications of divorce can have a significant impact. Changes to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules for divorcing...

October 9, 2025

Inheritance Tax and CGT relief for national heritage assets

Certain buildings, land, works of art, and other objects of national significance may be exempt from Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when they are transferred to a new owner. This exemption applies under a special tax relief for national heritage assets that are either gifted or bequeathed. To...

October 9, 2025

Check if you can cash in a Child Trust Fund

HMRC has issued a press release urging 18-23 year olds who have yet to claim their Child Trust Fund (CTF) cash to do so as soon as possible. According to HMRC, over 758,000 young adults in this age group have unclaimed funds, with the average savings pot estimated to be...

October 8, 2025

Tax Diary November/December 2025

1 November 2025 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 January 2025. 19 November 2025 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 November 2024. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 November 2025.) 19 November 2025 - Filing...

October 8, 2025

Risks of engaging employees as sham contractors

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...

October 6, 2025

Profitability through better management information

Many business owners make decisions based on instinct, but intuition alone can be unreliable. Having timely, accurate management information replaces guesswork with insight and leads to stronger profitability. Management information differs from year-end accounts because it focuses on what is happening now and what is likely to happen next. A...

October 6, 2025

Building financial resilience in uncertain times

Every business faces unexpected challenges. Rising costs, supply delays, late payments and sudden changes in demand can all place pressure on cash flow. The businesses that cope best are usually those that have taken time to build financial resilience. Resilience is not simply about holding large sums of cash. It is...

October 2, 2025

Register an offshore property developer for Corporation Tax

Non-UK resident companies that buy, develop, or sell UK land must register for Corporation Tax within three months of a disposal. Those non-UK resident companies that deal in or develop UK land must register for Corporation Tax if their activities involve acquiring or developing property with the intention to profit...

October 2, 2025

The Enterprise Investment Scheme tax benefits

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is designed to help smaller, higher-risk trading companies raise finance by offering a range of tax reliefs to investors who purchase new shares in those companies. This scheme aims to encourage investment in early-stage businesses by providing substantial tax benefits to investors. However, in order...

October 2, 2025

The present limits for Business Assets Disposal Relief

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) still offers a valuable tax break, but the CGT rate has risen to 14% from April 2025 and will increase again to 18% in April 2026. BADR provides a valuable tax advantage by offering a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale of...

October 2, 2025

Heads up for company directors

As of April 2025, directors of close companies and self-employed taxpayers face new mandatory reporting requirements on their Self-Assessment returns. Up to 900,000 company directors and 1.2 million taxpayers carrying on a trade will be impacted by new rules that require them to provide more information when filing their 2025-26...

September 29, 2025

Five goals every small business owner should set

Running a small business can feel like juggling endless priorities, but taking time to set clear goals is essential if you want your business to grow and remain sustainable. Here are five goals that every owner should consider. 1. Strengthen cash flow management Cash is the lifeblood of any business....

September 29, 2025

Bank deposit protection limits set to rise

The UK’s financial regulator has proposed an increase to the level of savings protection available under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). If approved, the changes would take effect from 1 December 2025 and will be welcome news for individuals and businesses holding larger balances in UK banks and building...

September 25, 2025

Are casual payments taxable?

Not all casual payments are tax-free; HMRC’s miscellaneous income rules may apply depending on the circumstances. The special miscellaneous income rules sweep-up provisions that seek to charge tax on certain income. This unusual provision, which is broad in scope, catches income that would not otherwise be charged under specific provisions to Income Tax or...

September 25, 2025

Two important 2025 self-assessment deadlines

Paper tax returns are due 31 October 2025, and new registrants must notify HMRC by 5 October 2025. Act early to avoid penalties. Firstly, the deadline for submitting paper self-assessment tax returns is 31 October 2025. If you miss this deadline a £100 late filing penalty will usually apply, even...

September 25, 2025

Tax-free income from letting a room in your home

Homeowners can earn up to £7,500 tax-free under the rent-a-room scheme, with simple reporting and flexible tax options. This set of special rules is designed to encourage individuals to make use of spare space in their property by providing a tax exemption on rental income of up to £7,500 per...

September 25, 2025

Sharing income from jointly held property

The standard tax treatment for couples living together, whether married or in a civil partnership, is that income from jointly held property is split equally (50:50) between them, regardless of their actual ownership shares. However, if the ownership is unequal and the couple wishes to have the income taxed in...

September 22, 2025

What is the recent £150bn tech investment deal?

During the State Visit by President Trump, the UK secured a record-breaking £150 billion of inward investment from US firms. The package is intended to boost jobs, support growth, and advance the UK’s key industrial sectors, especially life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, biotech, AI and other future-facing industries under the...

September 22, 2025

Choosing the right way to buy a vehicle for your business

For many business owners, a vehicle is an essential tool. Whether it is for visiting clients, delivering goods, or simply keeping things moving, choosing how to finance a vehicle can have a big impact on cash flow and tax planning. There are several routes to consider, each with its own...

September 18, 2025

War Widows Recognition Payments Scheme

Bereaved spouses who lost service pensions before 2015 have until 15 October 2025 to claim a one-off £87,500 recognition payment. This scheme was launched in October 2023 to help war widows and widowers who lost their service-attributable pensions due to remarriage or entering new relationships before 2015. Since the scheme...

September 18, 2025

Dividend taxes will they increase?

Speculation is growing that rates or allowances applied to dividend income may change in the next Budget. The current tax rates for dividends received (in excess of the £500 dividend tax allowance) are as follows: 8.75% for basic rate taxpayers will pay tax on dividends 33.75% for higher rate taxpayers will...

September 18, 2025

Tax relief for employer contributions to a pension scheme

Employers can generally claim tax relief on contributions made to a registered pension scheme by deducting those payments as an expense when calculating their business profits. This reduces the amount of taxable profit and therefore lowers the overall tax bill. For businesses involved in a trade or profession, employer pension contributions...

September 18, 2025

Who needs to register for anti-money laundering supervision

If your business operates in a sector covered by the Money Laundering Regulations, you must be monitored by a supervisory authority to ensure compliance. This article outlines who needs to register with HMRC for anti-money laundering (AML) supervision. Your business must be registered with a supervisory authority if it operates...

September 17, 2025

Don’t rush to judgement over pending tribunal claims

Mr. Aslam, a former Metroline employee, applied to another bus company on 13 April 2019, disclosing that he suffered from partial hearing loss, depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress, and was interviewed on 14 May 2019. He disclosed that he had been dismissed by his former employer on the grounds of...

September 15, 2025

Why you should maintain a tax reserve

Every business has a duty to pay tax, whether that is Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE, or personal tax liabilities for the owners. While these payments are predictable, many businesses still find themselves short of cash when the due dates arrive. One way to reduce this risk is to create a cash...

September 15, 2025

Understanding working capital and why it matters

Working capital is a simple but powerful measure of a business’s financial health. It is the difference between current assets and current liabilities. In other words, it shows what is left when a business’s short-term debts are taken away from its short-term resources such as cash, stock and money owed...

September 11, 2025

How do HMRC define “wholly and exclusively” for tax purposes

Not sure if a business cost is deductible? HMRC’s ‘wholly and exclusively’ rule is the key test. When deciding whether an expense is deductible or not it is important to bear in mind that the expenditure must be incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of your trade or employment....

September 11, 2025

Using your own car for work purposes

Using your own car or bike for work travel? You may be able to claim tax relief for business mileage. If you are employed and spend your own money on items needed for your job, you may be eligible to claim tax relief on those expenses. However, you can usually only...

September 11, 2025

When you cannot charge VAT

Not all goods and services carry a 20% VAT, knowing the right rate can save costly mistakes. When a VAT-registered business issues an invoice to their customer, they must ensure that they charge the correct rate of VAT. Whilst most businesses in the UK charge VAT at the standard rate...

September 11, 2025

How to pay corporation tax online

Paying Corporation Tax? Always use the correct reference or risk delays and penalties. To pay Corporation Tax via online or telephone bank transfer, you can use either a UK or overseas bank account. UK Bank Accounts You can transfer funds using Faster Payments, CHAPS, or Bacs, either online or by...

September 8, 2025

What insurance cover should a company consider?

Running a small business comes with plenty to juggle, and while insurance might not be the most thrilling task, it is absolutely essential. There is one policy you are legally required to have: employers' liability insurance (EL). If you employ anyone, EL covers legal and compensation costs if someone falls...

September 8, 2025

GOV.UK One Login – enhanced security from 13 Oct 2025

From 13 October 2025, access to Companies House WebFiling will require GOV.UK One Login. This replaces the older Government Gateway sign-in and is part of the wider move towards a single, more secure login across government services. When you next log into WebFiling after that date, you will be prompted...

September 8, 2025

Tax Diary October/November 2025

1 October 2025 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 December 2024. 19 October 2025 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 October 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 October 2025.) 19 October 2025 - Filing...

September 4, 2025

Holding over gains on gifts

Gift Hold-Over Relief is a form of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief that allows you to defer paying CGT when certain assets, such as qualifying shares, are given away or sold for less than their market value, typically to benefit the recipient. Instead of paying tax at the time of...

September 4, 2025

What counts as working time for minimum wage purposes

Employers must ensure they are paying staff at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW). The NMW and the NLW are the minimum legal amounts that employers must pay their workers. The latest NMW and NLW rates took effect on 1 April 2025. The current hourly...

September 4, 2025

Why your tax code might change

The letters in your tax code indicate whether you are entitled to the annual tax-free personal allowance. These codes are updated each year and help employers calculate how much tax should be deducted from your salary. For the current tax year, the basic personal allowance is £12,570. The tax code...