Becoming VAT Registered

Becoming VAT Registered

If you run a business in the UK, you may need to become VAT registered at some point. You need to understand the VAT registration process to avoid penalties and make the most of potential benefits. Who Needs to Become VAT Registered? Businesses must register for VAT...
VAT on Food Products

VAT on Food Products

VAT (Value Added Tax) on food is often a confusing subject. The rules aren’t just black and white; they vary depending on the type of food, it’s preparation and even how people eat it. While most essential food items are zero-rate (no VAT), there are...
Employers’ National Insurance Contributions

Employers’ National Insurance Contributions

Employers pay Employers’ National Insurance Contributions in addition to employees’ wages are a legal requirement for most businesses. When an employee earns over a certain threshold, the employer must pay Class 1 (Secondary) National Insurance on those...
Employment Allowance

Employment Allowance

The Employment Allowance allows eligible businesses and charities to reduce their Employers’ National Insurance bill. From April 2025, the allowance will increase to £10,500 per tax year. This applies only to the employer’s share of Class 1 National...
Payroll Giving

Payroll Giving

Payroll Giving is one of the most flexible and tax-efficient ways to charity. It is simple to set up and easy to manage, while being highly rewarding for everyone involved. What is Payroll Giving? Payroll Giving is a straightforward way for employees to make regular...
Payroll Numbers

Payroll Numbers

If you have ever stared at your payslip and wondered what the strange mix of letters and/or numbers next to your name means, you’re not alone. That small detail is your payroll number. Payroll numbers help your employer manage salaries and taxes, while keeping...
Payrolling Benefits In Kind

Payrolling Benefits In Kind

From April 2027, you will need to tax most employee perks – known as Benefits In Kind – through payroll instead of annual forms. Payrolling Benefits In Kind involves adding the value of employee perks to payroll calculations. Instead, of reporting benefits once a...
Payroll Made Simple

Payroll Made Simple

Payroll doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right information, it becomes a smooth and manageable process. What is Payroll? Payroll is the system you use to pay your employees. It includes calculating wages, making deductions for tax and National Insurance,...
Interest Rates Cut to 4.25%

Interest Rates Cut to 4.25%

The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, marking the fourth cut since rates peaked at 5.25% in 2024. Why Did the Bank of England Cut Interest Rates to 4.25%? The decision followed a closely divided vote by the Bank’s Monetary Policy...
Structures and Buildings Allowance

Structures and Buildings Allowance

The Structures and Buildings Allowance encourages investment in commercial infrastructure by allowing businesses to recover some of the costs spent on constructing, purchasing or improving non-residential properties. What is the Structures and Buildings Allowance? The...
Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

When it comes to taxes, most people are familiar with Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on property purchases. However, the lesser known Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) applies to buying shares and securities electronically. What is Stamp Duty Reserve Tax? Stamp Duty Reserve...
Stamp Duty Land Tax

Stamp Duty Land Tax

If you are planning to buy property or land in England or Northern Ireland, you may need to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This tax can significantly impact your overall budget. What is Stamp Duty Land Tax? Stamp Duty Land Tax is a tax that buyers must pay when...
What are Benefits in Kind?

What are Benefits in Kind?

Benefits In Kind (BIKs) are any perks or services an employer provides to an employee or director that they do not include in their regular salary. The employer provides these extras to enhance the employee experience or make their job easier. Although employers do...
Business Tax: Is It Really Impossible to Get Ahead in the UK?

Business Tax: Is It Really Impossible to Get Ahead in the UK?

A recent Facebook post recently claimed that if you earn £1,200 in your business, you only leave your children with £300 after tax. The post blames high UK taxes and claims this is why people are leaving the country. But how true is this? The Starting Point: A Sale...
Mileage Allowance

Mileage Allowance

If you regularly use your personal vehicle for work, Mileage Allowance could help you save money and reduce your tax liability. What is Mileage Allowance? Mileage Allowance is a tax-free reimbursement for individuals who use their own vehicle for work-related...
Plant and Machinery

Plant and Machinery

In simple terms, “Plant and Machinery” refer to the essential tools, equipment and systems that a business needs to keep running smoothly. These assets are not just helpful for daily operations, they also offer businesses the opportunity to claim tax...
What is a UTR Number?

What is a UTR Number?

If you are self-employed, run a business or receive income is not taxed through an employer’s payroll, you have likely come across the term “Unique Taxpayer Reference” or UTR number. While it might sound technical, understanding what a UTR number is,...
MTD IT Threshold Change

MTD IT Threshold Change

The UK Government is accelerating its rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT) and recent announcements have added greater clarity to the direction of travel, from a threshold drop to no more online filing alternative. MTD IT Income Threshold to Drop in...
MTD Penalties

MTD Penalties

With the gradual rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT), HMRC is introducing a new penalties system. These updated rules are stricter, more structured and far more time-sensitive that many taxpayers are used to. Who Will Be Affected By MTD Penalties?...
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Something Revolutionary

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Something Revolutionary

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) aims to simplify the UK’s tax system by moving to digital records and regular reporting. Instead of submitting an annual Self Assessment tax return, you will: Keep digital records of income and expenses...
Making Tax Digital for VAT

Making Tax Digital for VAT

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a government initiative to modernise the tax system, making it more effective and efficient. It requires businesses to keep digital tax records and submit VAT returns using HMRC-approved software. MTD helps businesses avoid common mistakes...
What is MTD (Making Tax Digital)?

What is MTD (Making Tax Digital)?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a government initiative to modernise the tax system by encouraging businesses, landlords and individuals to keep digital records and submit tax information using compatible software. The goal is to simplify tax compliance and ensure tax is...
CIS Refund

CIS Refund

A CIS tax refund is the money HMRC returns to subcontractors who have overpaid their tax through the Construction Industry Scheme. If you are registered under CIS, contractors deduct 20% from your payments. If you are not registered, they deduct 30%. These deductions...
Optimum Director’s Salary

Optimum Director’s Salary

As a director of a limited company in the UK, you have flexibility in how you pay yourself. The most tax-efficient approach is often a blend of salary and dividends. In this blog, we will explore the optimum director’s salary for 2025/26, helping you stay...