Making the most of the £1,000 property allowance
The £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
Is your business eligible to use cash basis accounting?
Cash 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
When do you pay Stamp Duty Land Tax?
Stamp 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
Could you save tax by making a Deed of Variation?
After 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
Will your next finance application succeed?
Many 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,
Five practical ways to reduce business energy costs
Energy 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
Making the most of the Employment Allowance
The 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
Records you should keep after submitting your tax return
After 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
Tax relief if replacing tools or equipment
If 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
Budget date announced
The 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
Are you paying unnecessary tax on foreign income?
UK 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
Averaging profits if income fluctuates
Some 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
Claiming the correct tax relief for work mileage
Employees 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,
Take care when painting non-compete clauses with a broad brush
Protecting 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
Why uncertain times make business planning more important
Economic 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
Is AI delivering real value for small businesses?
Artificial 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
Tax-free childcare, are you missing out?
With childcare costs continuing to rise, many working families could be missing out on valuable support through the Tax-Free Childcare scheme. The scheme helps eligible parents pay for registered
Claiming tax relief on professional training
Keeping 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
Do you need to pay tax on money received from family?
Receiving 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
Tax benefits of giving assets to charity
Most 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
Have you checked your State Pension forecast recently?
Your 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.