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,...
Time to Pay

Time to Pay

If you cannot pay your tax bill in full, a Time to Pay arrangement allows you to spread your tax bill into manageable monthly instalments. While interest still applies, you can avoid further late payment penalties once HMRC agrees to the plan and you keep to it. What...
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...
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...
Amending a Tax Return

Amending a Tax Return

Whether it’s a simple typo or forgetting details, errors can slip through the cracks. When it comes to your tax return, these mistakes can feel monumental, especially after the deadline has passed. However, amending your tax return can be an option, depending on...
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...
Business Asset Disposal Relief

Business Asset Disposal Relief

When you sell or close your business, the profits you make may be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This tax can significantly reduce your final earnings. Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) helps lower that burden by allowing eligible business owners to pay a...
The Autumn Budget 2024

The Autumn Budget 2024

The Autumn Budget 2024 The 2024 Autumn Budget brings changes across wages, business taxes and public spending. Here’s an easy breakdown by category to help you understand what’s new and how it may impact you. Employers National Insurance Contributions The government...
What is Deferred Income?

What is Deferred Income?

What is Deferred Income? A business generates deferred income, sometimes called “unearned income”, when it receives payment in advance for something it has not yet delivered. Officials consider the income “deferred” because the business has not...
Abolition of the FHL Tax Regime

Abolition of the FHL Tax Regime

Back in the Spring Budget 2024, the government announced the abolition of the Furnished Holiday Let (FHL) Tax Regime. Now, as of April 2025, the abolition has fully come into effect. From this date, HMRC will treat all income from these types of properties under the...
What is a Trial Balance?

What is a Trial Balance?

What is a Trial Balance? A Trial Balance summarises all the debit and credit balances in a company’s accounting system. Typically prepared at the end of an accounting period, such as a month or a year, it is a key step in the accounting cycle. This process helps to...
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...