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...
Deferred Income Explained By Accountants

Deferred Income Explained By Accountants

Deferred Income is money a business receives before they deliver goods or services. This happens when a customer pays upfront, but the business still owes them something. Because of this, the payment does not count as earned income immediately. Instead, accountants...
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?

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...
What is Capital Gains Tax?

What is Capital Gains Tax?

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applies when you make a profit after you sell or dispose of an asset. However, CGT only applies to the gain, not the total amount you receive. For example: You buy a painting for £5,000. Later you sell it for £25,000. You have made a £20,000...
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 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?

A Balance Sheet is a financial statement that lists a company’s assets, liabilities and equity. It shows the financial position of a business on a specific date. Most businesses prepare balance sheets monthly, quarterly or annually. A Balance Sheet forms one of...
A P45 Explained By Accountants

A P45 Explained By Accountants

A P45 is the document you receive when you leave a job. It provides a clear summary of your earnings and the tax you have paid during the current tax year. Your employer must provide this document when your employment ends. This applies whether you resign, retire or...
A P60 Explained By Accountants

A P60 Explained By Accountants

A P60 is an end-of-year tax summary. Your employer provides it after the tax year ends. The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. This document shows how much you earned and how much tax you paid. It brings together all important figures from the year in one place....
A P30 Explained By Accountants

A P30 Explained By Accountants

A P30 is a document that shows employers how much tax and National Insurance they owe for a specific period. Employers send this document alongside their payment to HMRC. Moreover, employers collect the required tax and National Insurance from employee wages. Read...