Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is changing how sole traders and landlords keep records and report income to HMRC. Instead of completing most of the work once a year, you will spread your tax admin more evenly across the year. As a result, you can keep better...
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...
Supplementary Self Assessment Forms: Know the Fundamentals

Supplementary Self Assessment Forms: Know the Fundamentals

Self Assessment forms are used to report income, calculate taxes and claim reliefs. All those completing a tax return must complete the main form, SA100. Depending on your sources of income, you may also need to complete supplementary Self Assessment forms to provide...
Self-Employed Self Assessment: Valuable Guidance for You

Self-Employed Self Assessment: Valuable Guidance for You

HMRC uses Self Assessment to collect Income Tax from employed and self-employed individuals. Your employer will automatically deduct tax from your earnings, if they are employing you. However, as a self-employed individual, it is your responsibility to report your...
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...
Self Assessment Threshold: The Fundamentals

Self Assessment Threshold: The Fundamentals

For the 2023/24 tax year, the income threshold for filing a Self Assessment tax return has increased from £100,000 to £150,000 for taxpayers taxed solely through the PAYE (Pay As Your Earn) system. If your income through PAYE is below £150,000 and you do not meet any...
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....
PAYE Reporting at Christmas

PAYE Reporting at Christmas

For many businesses, December brings festive pressure and changes to normal payroll routines. Offices may close for several days and staff may also take annual leave. As a result, many employers choose to pay their staff earlier than usual in December. Early payment...
Temporary Christmas Staff

Temporary Christmas Staff

Christmas brings a fast and intense rise in demand for many businesses. As a result, many employers hire temporary Christmas staff to keep operations running smoothly. These short-term workers help manage extra tasks and maintain strong customer service when it...
Self Assessment Penalties: Urgent Advice You Need To Hear

Self Assessment Penalties: Urgent Advice You Need To Hear

Filing your Self Assessment tax return on time can help you avoid penalties from HMRC. These penalties can quickly add up, leaving you with more stress than just paying your tax bill. What Happens if You File Your Tax Return Late If you miss the Self Assessment...
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....