What is a Company Year End?

What is a Company Year End?

What is a Company Year End? Your Company Year End depends on your business and typically aligns with the date you registered your company with Companies House. It’s different from the tax year, which runs from 6th April to 5th April. Your Company Year End typically...
What is a Financial Year End?

What is a Financial Year End?

What is a Financial Year End? A financial year end, also known as a business year end or fiscal year end, marks the end of a 12-month period that businesses use to report their financial performance. This period marks the time when businesses close their accounts and...
What is a Tax Year End?

What is a Tax Year End?

What is a Tax Year End? The UK Tax Year runs from 6th April until the 5th April of the following year. HMRC uses this timeframe to calculate your liabilities for the year, whether it’s Income Tax, Corporation Tax or Capital Gains Tax. For example: The tax year...
What is Solvency?

What is Solvency?

What is Solvency? Solvency refers to a business’ ability to meet its long-term financial obligations. Simply, it measures whether a business has enough assets to cover its debts. A solvent business is one that can pay off its liabilities over the long term,...
What is Liquidity?

What is Liquidity?

What is Liquidity? Liquidity measures how easily an asset converts into cash without losing value. Consider cash the most liquid asset because you can use it immediately for purchases or paying bills. On the other hand, assets like property or collectibles may take...
What are Fixed Assets?

What are Fixed Assets?

What are Fixed Assets? Businesses purchase fixed assets as long-term assets for continuous use. Businesses do not intend to resell or convert them into cash quickly. Instead, they support the business over several years. Examples of fixed assets include: Buildings:...
What is a Liability?

What is a Liability?

What is a Liability? A liability is a debt or obligation a company must settle. This can be in the form of money, goods, or services. You should record liabilities on the right side of the balance sheet; which includes loans, accounts payable, mortgages, deferred...
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act From 1st October 2024, millions of workers across the UK will see a boost to their earnings, thanks to the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act. This new law has been put in place to allow workers to keep 100% of their tips,...
What are Current Assets?

What are Current Assets?

What are Current Assets? Current Assets (CA) are short-term resources that a business owns and expects to convert to cash or use up within one year. Current assets appear first on a company’s balance sheet under the Assets section and support the daily...
What is Cash Accounting?

What is Cash Accounting?

What is Cash Accounting? Cash accounting, also called cash-basis, is a method of recording income and expenses based on when money actually enters or leaves your business account. This means you record a payment only when you receive it, and an expense only when you...
What is Accrual Accounting?

What is Accrual Accounting?

What is Accrual Accounting? Accrual accounting is a method of recording financial transactions when they happen, rather than when money changes hands. This approach helps businesses gain a more accurate picture of their financial health by tracking income and expenses...
What is Income Tax?

What is Income Tax?

What is Income Tax? HMRC levies Income Tax on various forms of income earned by individuals, businesses, and other entities, though not all income qualifies as taxable. Taxpayers pay Income Tax directly to HMRC, instead of through indirect collection methods. HMRC...
What is Inheritance Tax?

What is Inheritance Tax?

What is Inheritance Tax? Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax on the estate of a deceased person. This includes all property, possessions, and money – based on its value at the time of death. At this time, the government charges Inheritance Tax at 40% on the portion...
What is Capital Gains Tax?

What is Capital Gains Tax?

What is Capital Gains Tax? Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax on the profit you make when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value, including assets like stocks, property, and artwork. Additionally, the tax applies to the gain you make, not the total...
State Pension Triple Lock

State Pension Triple Lock

State Pension Triple Lock Introduced in 2010, the Triple Lock is a government guarantee to increase the State Pension every year by whichever of three measures is the highest: 2.5% Inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index in September of the previous year)...
What is Pension Credit?

What is Pension Credit?

What is Pension Credit? Pension Credit is an income-related benefit that offers extra money to help with your living costs. It’s available to those over State Pension age and is especially beneficial if you’re on a low income. Importantly, you can receive Pension...
State Pension Increase Explained

State Pension Increase Explained

State Pension Increase Explained Good news first – the government have proposed raising the State Pension in April 2026. For those who receive the New Full State Pension (introduced after April 2016), the payment will increase from £221.20 to £230.05 per week. This...
What are HMRC Penalties?

What are HMRC Penalties?

What are HMRC Penalties? HMRC imposes penalties on taxpayers who fail to comply with their tax obligations. Consequently, these penalties serve as a deterrent to non-compliance and encourage everyone to adhere to tax laws. If you don’t file your tax return on...
What is Tax Investigation Insurance?

What is Tax Investigation Insurance?

What is Tax Investigation Insurance? Tax Investigation Insurance is a specialised insurance policy that helps individuals and businesses cover the costs associated with a tax investigation conducted by HMRC. Specifically, HMRC conducts these investigations as routine...
What is a Tax Investigation?

What is a Tax Investigation?

What is a Tax Investigation? A tax investigation is not an accusation of wrongdoing but a process to verify that a business or individual complies with HMRC’s tax laws and has paid the correct tax amount. What Triggers a Tax Investigation? Tax investigations can...
What is a Cash Flow Statement?

What is a Cash Flow Statement?

What is a Cash Flow Statement? A Cash Flow Statement outlines the inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents in your business. It provides insights into your company’s liquidity by covering debts and operating expenses without additional financing. Unlike...
What is an Income Statement?

What is an Income Statement?

What is an Income Statement? An Income Statement, also known as a Profit and Loss Statement (P&L), summarises a company’s income and expenses over a specific period. It provides a snapshot of a business’s financial performance and is essential for...
What is a Balance Sheet?

What is a Balance Sheet?

What is a Balance Sheet? The Balance Sheet provides a snapshot of a company’s assets, liabilities and equity at a given point in time. This enables stakeholders to assess the financial health and operational results of the business. Moreover, a Balance Sheet is...
What is a P45?

What is a P45?

What is a P45? A P45 document records details about your income and the tax you’ve paid while working for a particular employer. The form ensures that your tax records are accurate and up-to-date, both for you and for HMRC. You will receive a P45 when you leave...