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Five practical ways to reduce business energy costs
10/08/2026Energy costs remain a significant overhead for many UK businesses. Although wholesale prices have eased from the exceptional highs seen in recent years, uncertainty in global energy markets means prices can still fluctuate sharply. For many small businesses, reducing energy consumption remains one of the simplest ways to improve...
More...Will your next finance application succeed?
10/08/2026Many successful businesses eventually reach a point where additional finance is needed. Whether the objective is purchasing equipment, expanding premises, recruiting staff or improving cash flow, access to funding can often determine how quickly a business can grow.
Unfortunately, many applications are rejected, not because the business...
More...Could you save tax by making a Deed of Variation?
10/08/2026After someone dies, the beneficiaries may find that the way an estate has been distributed does not reflect their wishes or the family’s circumstances. A Deed of Variation can allow beneficiaries to change how inherited assets are passed on and, in some cases, can help reduce the amount of tax payable. It is important to note that any...
More...When do you pay Stamp Duty Land Tax?
10/08/2026Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax that may apply when you buy land or property in England or Northern Ireland. It is important to check whether SDLT applies before completing a purchase, as the tax can represent a significant additional cost.
SDLT can apply when you buy a freehold property, a new or existing leasehold property, a...
More...Is your business eligible to use cash basis accounting?
10/08/2026Cash basis accounting is a simplified method used by sole traders and other unincorporated businesses to work out income and expenses for self-assessment in a straightforward manner.
The cash basis is the default method for calculating income and expenses for self-employed individuals and partnerships when completing their Income Tax...
More...Making the most of the £1,000 property allowance
10/08/2026The £1,000 property allowance is a helpful for individuals with small amounts of property income. The allowance provides a tax exemption of up to £1,000 a year against gross property income, meaning some landlords may not need to report their income to HMRC.
The allowance applies to income from land or property, such as renting out a...
More...Tax breaks for company bikes
10/08/2026Employers can usually provide bicycles and cycling equipment to employees as a tax-free benefit. The Cycle to Work scheme can help employees save tax and National Insurance on the cost of providing cycling equipment while encouraging more sustainable travel.
Under the scheme, employers can lend or hire bicycles and cyclists’ safety...
More...Amending a mistake on your tax return
10/08/2026What happens if you discover a mistake on your tax return? The good news is that errors can usually be corrected, but it is important to take action as soon as possible to avoid paying the wrong amount of tax or missing out on a possible refund.
If you realise that you have made an error after submitting your self-assessment tax return,...
More...Tax Diary September/October 2026
10/08/20261 September 2026 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 November 2025.
19 September 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 September 2026. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 September 2026)
19 September 2026 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5...
More...Claiming the correct tax relief for work mileage
06/08/2026Employees who use their own vehicle for business journeys may receive Mileage Allowance Payments (MAPs) from their employer. These payments can be made tax-free up to HMRC’s approved amount, calculated by multiplying business miles travelled by the relevant rate per mile.
Effective since 6 April 2026, the approved mileage rate for cars...
More...Averaging profits if income fluctuates
06/08/2026Some self-employed individuals experience significant fluctuations in their profits from one year to the next. When this happens, HMRC’s averaging relief may help to regularise tax payments by levelling profits across more than one tax year.
However, the relief is only available to limited groups of taxpayers. Farmers and market...
More...Are you paying unnecessary tax on foreign income?
06/08/2026UK taxpayers with income from overseas may not always be aware of the tax rules that apply. Foreign income is defined as any income from outside England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are classed as foreign. Different rules may apply if you’re eligible for Foreign Income and Gains...
More...Budget date announced
06/08/2026The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey has confirmed, in a video message, that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Details of all the Budget announcements will be made on a special section of the GOV.UK website which will be updated following completion of the Chancellor’s first Budget speech in...
More...Tax relief if replacing tools or equipment
06/08/2026If you pay for replacing or repairing small tools you need for your job, you may be able to claim tax relief from HMRC. Eligible tools include items such as scissors, small hand tools and electric drills that are essential for carrying out your work and are not provided by your employer.
You may also be able to claim tax relief for the...
More...Records you should keep after submitting your tax return
06/08/2026After submitting your self-assessment return it is important to keep your records used to prepare the return. HMRC may ask to check your return, so it is important to keep the supporting documents and information used to complete your tax return.
There are no specific rules on how records must be stored. You can keep them on paper,...
More...Making the most of the Employment Allowance
06/08/2026The Employment Allowance can help eligible employers reduce their National Insurance costs by up to £10,500 each tax year. The allowance reduces an employer’s Class 1 National Insurance liability and is applied automatically through payroll once a valid claim has been made.
Most businesses can claim, provided they do not carry out more...
More...Take care when painting non-compete clauses with a broad brush
05/08/2026Protecting hard-won local customer networks is a constant and necessary battle for commercial suppliers. However, a recent High Court judgement has exposed the risks inherent in employing standard ‘boilerplate’ contracts to restrict departing sales staff. The dispute in focus was triggered when a national building supplies merchant sought...
More...Is AI delivering real value for small businesses?
03/08/2026Artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated business headlines over the past year, with many suggesting it will transform the way companies operate. While there is no doubt that AI has enormous potential, recent research indicates that many small businesses have yet to experience significant commercial benefits.
For some business owners,...
More...Why uncertain times make business planning more important
03/08/2026Economic conditions remain uncertain and many business owners are understandably cautious about the months ahead. Although there are signs of improvement in some sectors, rising costs, changing customer demand and ongoing economic pressures mean that confidence remains fragile.
When uncertainty increases, it is tempting to postpone...
More...Payroll compliance – what is Full Payment Submission?
30/07/2026A Full Payment Submission (FPS) is a payroll report that employers must send to HMRC every time they pay employees. Using payroll software, employers use an FPS to report payments made, deductions from pay and National Insurance information, ensuring HMRC has an up-to-date record of their payroll obligations.
This submission should...
More...Have you checked your State Pension forecast recently?
30/07/2026Your State Pension forecast can help you plan for retirement by showing how much State Pension you could be entitled to, when you can claim it and whether there are ways to increase your entitlement.
The online forecast service https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension allows you to check how much State Pension you could receive, when you...
More...Tax benefits of giving assets to charity
30/07/2026Most people are aware that cash donations to a charity can qualify for tax relief. However, it is less well known that gifts of land, property and qualifying shares can also provide valuable tax advantages.
If you donate land, property or shares to a UK charity, or sell them to a charity for less than their market value, you may be...
More...Do you need to pay tax on money received from family?
30/07/2026Receiving money from a family member can be a welcome source of financial support, but many people are unsure whether they need to pay tax on it. In most cases, the person receiving a gift does not pay Income Tax on money given by family. However, the gift could have Inheritance Tax implications for the person making the...
More...Claiming tax relief on professional training
30/07/2026Keeping your skills and knowledge up to date is important but the cost of professional training can add up. If you are self-employed some training costs may be claimed as allowable business expenses.
Training costs can usually be claimed where the course helps you improve skills or knowledge that you already use in your business. This...
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