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...
Marginal Relief Explained By Accountants

Marginal Relief Explained By Accountants

Marginal Relief is a tax relief scheme that helps companies reduce their Corporation Tax bill if their profits fall between certain thresholds. Since 1st April 2023, the UK Corporation tax System has introduced a gradual increase in tax rates for businesses with...
Gambling Duty

Gambling Duty

Gambling is popular in the UK, and like many other industries, it is subject to taxation. Whether you run a casino, offer online betting or operate a bingo hall, you need to understand Gambling Duty as to avoid penalties. What is Gambling Duty? Gambling Duty is a...
What are Statutory Accounts? Research Spotlight

What are Statutory Accounts? Research Spotlight

Companies prepare Statutory Accounts as official financial reports at the end of every financial year. These accounts are mandatory under UK law and follow specific accounting standards. They offer shareholders, investors and other stakeholders a complete view of a...
Director’s Loan Account Explained By Accountants

Director’s Loan Account Explained By Accountants

A limited company owns its money. So, when a director takes cash for personal use, the company must record it properly. A Director’s Loan Account (DLA) tracks money that moves between the director and the company outside normal pay. What is a Director’s...
What is the Property Income Allowance?

What is the Property Income Allowance?

HMRC introduced the Property Income Allowance as a tax exemption, which allows individuals to earn up to £1,000 per year from property-related income without paying tax or reporting it to HMRC. This applies to income from: Renting out a driveway or parking space...
What is the Trading Income Allowance?

What is the Trading Income Allowance?

HMRC introduced the Trading Income Allowance as a tax exemption, which allows individuals to earn up to £1,000 per year from self-employment or casual trading income without paying tax or reporting it to HMRC. This applies to income from: Selling goods online (Etsy,...
What is Professional Clearance?

What is Professional Clearance?

Professional Clearance is the process of getting approval from a professional body or regulatory organisation to make sure all works follows the law, regulations and ethical standards. This process is especially relevant when an accountant or firm takes over from a...
What Does Wholly and Exclusively Mean?

What Does Wholly and Exclusively Mean?

If you run a business, the “Wholly and Exclusively” rule determines whether you can deduct an expense from your taxable profits. To qualify for tax relief, you must incur the expense Wholly and Exclusively for the purposes of your trade. In practical...
Has HMRC Processed My Tax Return? Actionable Advice

Has HMRC Processed My Tax Return? Actionable Advice

Tax season can be one of the most stressful times for sole traders. With so many obligations and deadlines to manage, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A common concern is whether HMRC has processed your tax return. However, by using HMRC’s online services, the...
What is the DWP Christmas Bonus?

What is the DWP Christmas Bonus?

What is the DWP Christmas Bonus? The DWP provides a one-off £10 Christmas Bonus each December to qualifying individuals. Since it’s introduction in 1972, this payment has aimed to support those on certain benefits with the financial strain of the festive period....
What is the VAT Threshold?

What is the VAT Threshold?

The VAT threshold is the maximum amount of VAT-taxable turnover your business can earn in any rolling 12-month period before you are legally required to register for VAT. As of 1st April 2024, the threshold is £90,000. HMRC has confirmed this figure will remain...
What is a Trial Balance?

What is a Trial Balance?

A Trial Balance is a financial report that lists all account balances from the general ledger. Businesses usually prepare this report at the end of an accounting period. This may happen monthly, quarterly or annually. The report helps confirm that the double-entry...
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?

A financial year end marks the conclusion of a 12-month period used by businesses to track, report and assess their financial activity. It is the point at which businesses stop recording income and expenses for the year and begin preparing their financial statements....
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...
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?

Income Tax is a tax you pay on the money you earn. The government collects this tax through HMRC. The money collected supports public services such as the NHS and education. However, not all income is taxable. What Counts as Taxable Income? You pay Income Tax on a...