Self Assessment Scams: How To Overcome Costly Mistakes

Self Assessment Scams: How To Overcome Costly Mistakes

As the deadline for filing a Self Assessment tax return online fast approaches, HMRC is urging taxpayers to remain vigilant against scams. Scammers often take advantage of this time to target unsuspecting individuals with fake tax rebate offers or threats of...
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...
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...
Self Assessment for Contractors: Tailored Expert Advice

Self Assessment for Contractors: Tailored Expert Advice

Those who work as self-employed contractors will likely need to submit a Self Assessment tax return each year. This ensures that HMRC has a full view of the contractors income so they can calculate the appropriate tax. Do Contractors Need to Submit a Self Assessment?...
Self Assessment for Directors

Self Assessment for Directors

Many directors assume that filing limited company accounts and paying Corporation Tax covers everything. However, HMRC treats your personal income separately from your company’s tax affairs. As a result, Self Assessment often applies to company directors. Many...
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 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 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 is Self Assessment?

What is Self Assessment?

HMRC uses the Self Assessment system to collect Income Tax and requires taxpayers to complete a yearly tax return. Self Assessment is for those who do not have their taxes automatically deducted from their earnings or for those with additional income sources....
What is Corporation Tax?

What is Corporation Tax?

Corporation Tax is a tax that companies and certain organisations pay to HMRC on their profits. You calculate it for each accounting period, which usually matches your financial year. However, your first year can include more than one accounting period. Unlike many...
Marriage Allowance Transfer

Marriage Allowance Transfer

Marriage Allowance Transfer Marriage Allowance transfer allows one spouse to transfer a portion of their Personal Tax Allowance to the other, providing a tax reduction if certain conditions are met. Who is Eligible? You may qualify for Marriage Allowance if:...
Tax on Tips and Gratuities

Tax on Tips and Gratuities

Tax on Tips and Gratuities All tips and gratuities, whether received in cash directly from the customer or added electronically via card or cheque, are subject to Income Tax. Depending on how these tips are managed and distributed, National Insurance Contributions...
High Income Child Benefit Charge

High Income Child Benefit Charge

Child Benefit is valuable support for families raising children in the UK. However, if your income is above a certain threshold, you may need to repay some or all of it through the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?...
Payments on Account

Payments on Account

Payments on Account are advance payments towards your tax bill, based on your earnings from the previous year. HMRC assumes your income will remain the same and calculates your tax bill accordingly. Instead of paying your full tax bill in one lump sum, you make 2...
7th June VAT Deadline

7th June VAT Deadline

7th June VAT Deadline The 7th June marks the due date for VAT returns and payment for the quarter ending 30th April if the returns are filed electronically. This deadline applies to businesses that file their VAT returns electronically, which is now the norm under the...
Self Assessment for Landlords: Tailored Expert Advice

Self Assessment for Landlords: Tailored Expert Advice

HMRC use the Self Assessment system to calculate and collect tax on Rental Income. For landlords that earn more than £1,000 annually from rental properties, you must declare this income through Self Assessment. Failing to do so will result in hefty penalties. Do You...
Chattels and Their Tax Implications

Chattels and Their Tax Implications

Chattels may seem like a niche topic, but they affect many people who buy, sell or inherit valuable items. If you sell or dispose of an asset for more than you paid for it, you make a profit called a “gain”. That gain may be subject to Capital Gains Tax....
P60 Deadline

P60 Deadline

P60 Deadline Following the end of the financial year in the UK, all employers should be looking to issue their employees with their P60. This document summarises an employee’s total earnings and deductions for the year just ended. Ensuring that the P60 is issued...
VAT Road Fuel Scale Charges (2025 to 2026)

VAT Road Fuel Scale Charges (2025 to 2026)

VAT Road Fuel Scale Charges affect many businesses that use vehicles for both work and personal journeys. With updated rates in May 2025, it is important to understand how the rules work and how the charges may impact your VAT position. What are VAT Road Fuel Scale...
Side Hustles: New Tax Changes

Side Hustles: New Tax Changes

The gig economy continues to thrive, with more people turning to side hustles to supplement their income or monetise a hobby. However, the new tax rules introduced in 2024 mean that anyone earning from a side hustle needs to be aware of their tax obligations. What are...
R&D Tax Relief Reformation 2023

R&D Tax Relief Reformation 2023

R&D Tax Relief Reformation 2023 Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief is set to undergo Reformation in 2023, following the review of R&D tax reliefs launched at Budget 2021. The government announced changes to the reliefs at Autumn Statement 2021 to...
Happy New Tax Year!

Happy New Tax Year!

Happy New Tax Year! As of today, the new UK tax year has officially started. It’s time to get your finances in order, review your tax code and start planning for the year ahead. Whether you’re self-employed, employed or a business owner, this is the...