Capital Allowances

Capital Allowances

One of the most effective ways to lower your tax bill is claiming Capital Allowances. These allow you to deduct the cost of certain long-term business assets from your taxable profits. What are Capital Allowances? Capital Allowances are a form of tax relief. They let...
The Annual Investment Allowance

The Annual Investment Allowance

The Annual Investment Allowance, or AIA, is a generous form of tax relief which supports and stimulates business growth across the UK. It enables companies and self-employed individuals to deduct the full cost of specific capital investments from their taxable profits...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
Spring Statement 2025

Spring Statement 2025

The Spring Statement 2025, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, comes with a strong focus on fiscal discipline, economic growth and government reform. New Fiscal Rules At the heart of the Spring Statement 2025, are two key fiscal rules: Balancing the budget by...
What is the Budget? Explaining the Yearly Announcements

What is the Budget? Explaining the Yearly Announcements

The UK Budget is a financial statement presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It outlines the government’s economic plans, including taxation and spending changes. The decisions made in the Budget influence the economy, determine the level of public...
What is Marginal Relief?

What is Marginal Relief?

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...
Company Size Thresholds to Increase from April

Company Size Thresholds to Increase from April

From April 2025, changes to company size classifications will make financial reporting simpler for thousands of businesses. The Companies (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024 updates the the turnover and Balance Sheet limits...
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...
What is a Director’s Loan Account?

What is a Director’s Loan Account?

A Director’s Loan Account, commonly abbreviated to DLA, records the money a company director borrows or lends to the company. It covers transactions outside of salary, dividends or reimbursed expenses. How Does a Director’s Loan Account Work? When you take...
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?

When running a business, you need to understand which expenses you can deduct from your taxable profits. The phrase “Wholly and Exclusively” determines whether a business expense qualifies for tax relief. What Counts as Wholly and Exclusively? For an...
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....
VAT Penalty System: Late Filing and Payment Penalties

VAT Penalty System: Late Filing and Payment Penalties

HMRC introduced a new VAT Penalty System on 1st January 2023. This system replaced the old default surcharge regime and introduced a clearer, points-based approach to late submissions and payments. Businesses that understand this system can protect themselves from...
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 VAT (Value Added Tax)?

What is VAT (Value Added Tax)?

VAT, or Value Added Tax, is a consumption tax that businesses charge on most goods and services. Businesses collect the tax on behalf of the government by adding it to the price of their products and services. Customers pay this tax and businesses pass it onto HMRC....