CHOOSING YOUR ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, having the right tools and systems in place is crucial for success. However, one tool that sometimes gets overlooked is accounting software, which can help you manage your finances more effectively, save time and reduce the risk of costly errors.
(more…)

Read More

TAX INSIDER JUNE 2023

INCLUDED IN THIS MONTHS ARTICLE:

  • TAX RETURN HELPLINE TO CLOSE FOR THREE MONTHS
  • SELF-ASSESSMENT THRESHOLD INCREASES TO £150,000
  • EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES UNDER REVIEW
  • LITRG WARNS OF INEFFECTIVE TAX REFUND COMPANIES

(more…)

Read More

Tax Insider June 2023

Included in this month’s article:

  • Government launches cryptoassets consultation.
  • Tax take soars by almost 10%
  • ICAEW calls MTD quarterly reporting “disproportionate”
  • Government extends VAT exemption for pharmacists

(more…)

Read More

EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES

As an employer, there are many ways you can reward and incentivise your staff, from Christmas parties to team lunches. But one of the most attractive options is an employee share scheme.

(more…)

Read More

Tax Insider May 2023

Included in this months article:

  • HMRC releases guidance on LTA abolition
  • Digital service tax could become permanent
  • New business rates bill aims to “Let communities thrive”
  • HMRC U-turns on paper only self assessments
(more…) Read More

Tax Insider April 2023

Included in this month’s article:

  • Finance sector increases female representation
  • Government extends voluntary NI deadline
  • Chancellor removes lifetime pension limit
  • Super-deduction replaced by “full expensing”
(more…) Read More

INVESTMENT ZONES EXPLAINED

In his first Spring Budget as Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt announced a number of ‘investment zones’ across the country.

The programme will provide 12 areas, split across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with £80 million in support and “put powers and money in the hands of communities that need it most”.

(more…) Read More

ESG: HOW GREEN ARE YOU?

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is a set of standards that measures how green, socially conscious and well-run a business is.

By looking at your business through an ESG lens, you may be able to predict how sustainable it is in the long run.

(more…) Read More

Facing the future: Spring Budget 2023

The way in which tax charges (or tax relief, as appropriate) are applied depends upon individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. The information in this report is based upon our understanding of the Chancellor’s 2023 Spring Statement, in respect of which specific implementation details may change when the final legislation and supporting documentation are published.

This document is solely for information purposes and nothing in this document is intended to constitute advice or a recommendation. You should not make any investment decisions based upon its content. Pension eligibility depends on individual circumstances.

Whilst considerable care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate and up-to-date, no warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information.

(more…) Read More

TAX RELIEF ON PENSIONS

Tax relief is one of the best features of using a pension to save for retirement.

When you pay into your pension, some of the money that would have gone to the Government as tax goes instead into your pension pot, which can help reduce the amount of tax you pay and boost your savings.

(more…)

Read More

Tax Insider March 2023

Included in this month’s article:

  • Bank of England raises interest rate to 4%
  • Over 300,000 taxpayers miss self-assessment deadline
  • Chancellor outlines four ‘Es’ for economic growth
  • Calls for R&D reforms to be paused
(more…) Read More

Year-End Tax Guide 2022/23

2022/23 has been the third of extraordinary tax years in the modern era. While 2020 and 2021 saw the heights of the pandemic, 2022 saw a surge in inflation mainly due to the continued supply chain issues after Covid, Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising energy prices.

(more…)

Read More

HOW TO BUILD AN EFFECTIVE BUSINESS PLAN

Businesses at any stage in their life cycle can benefit heavily from creating and implementing a business plan.

Not only is a business plan there to map out your goals and aspirations, but also to identify any financial risks and operational challenges you may encounter.

(more…)

Read More

CORPORATION TAX IN 2023

After multiple policy U-turns and much uncertainty, the main rate of corporation tax will rise from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023, affecting companies with profits of £250,000 and over.
The legislation provides that small companies with profits up to £50,000 will continue to pay corporation tax at 19%, with profits between the two limits being subject to a tapered rate.

(more…)

Read More

Tax insider February 2023

Included in this month’s article:

  • Chancellor reveals new energy discount for businesses
  • Inflation remains a key concern for business
  • MPs call fro urgent improvements to HMRC’s performance
  • Research and development relief guidance under review

(more…)

Read More

New fire regulations come into force

This week, the Government’s proposals for fire safety reform come into force, following on from the commencement of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the launch of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

So, what does this mean for your business? Here’s everything you need to know…
(more…)

Read More

Tax Insider January 2023

Included in this month’s article:
– Treasury delays MTD for ITSA until 2026
– Economic outlook remains bleak despite rise in GDP
– SMEs owed £23.4BN in late payments
– Energy price cap removes risk for one in four businesses

(more…)

Read More

INCOME TAX: WHAT’S CHANGING?

A number of changes are coming to income tax in April 2023 that will affect taxpayers across the UK.
Many of these measures were announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in his Autumn Statement on 17 November. According to Hunt, these decisions will see everyone pay “a bit more tax” from the 2023/24 tax year onwards.
(more…)

Read More

RETIREMENT PLANNING

With the rising costs of living affecting every aspect of almost everyone’s finances, there’s no time like the present to start considering your retirement plans.

(more…) Read More

Hunting for growth: Autumn Statement 2022

Following the dramatic sacking of Kwasi Kwarteng after his October mini-budget unleashed market turmoil, a swift change in Prime Minister, and an ever-burgeoning cost-of-living crisis, Hunt promised that today’s Autumn Statement (delayed from 31st October) would ensure his tax and spending plans would “stand the test of time”.

(more…) Read More

CGT ON BUY-TO-LET

A combination of financial challenges, eviction bans and a perceived lack of support meant the rental market was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, landlords and tenants are feeling the effects of rising costs.

(more…) Read More

IR35: THE RULES NOW

Late September into mid-October has been a turbulent time for the Government and a confusing time (at best) for taxpayers, after former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s fiscal statement.

(more…) Read More

Tax Insider October 2022

Included in this month’s article:

  • Chancellor announces biggest tax cuts in 50 years
  • Bank of England predicts the UK to enter recession this year
  • COVID loans scheme hit by over £1BN in suspected fraud
  • MTD for VAT penalties begin from November
(more…) Read More

Insider September 2022

Included in this month’s article:

  • Band of England raises interest rates to 1.75%
  • Energy bill support to be split over six payments
  • Help to grow scheme extends to smallest businesses
  • Capital gains tax rules for divorced couples ease
(more…) Read More

EMPLOYING STAFF FOR THE FIRST TIME

Hiring an employee for the first time is an exciting moment for any business owner. Suddenly, you’ve got another pair of hands to help out with jobs that used to fall entirely on you – and with that extra support, new opportunities for growth are possible.

Read More

CAPITAL ALLOWANCES AND THE SUPER DEDUCTION

When a business incurs costs, such as salary payments or stationary procurement, it can usually fully deduct them as expenses from its taxable profits, reducing the tax due. However, when it buys assets for operational purposes, things are not quite so straightforward.

(more…) Read More

Business Exit Strategies

A business exit strategy is a plan for what will happen when you want to leave your business.
A lot of people think of an exit strategy as a plan to guard against disaster or something that has to be carried out right away after its conception.

(more…) Read More

VAT Accounting Schemes

Just about everyone has heard of VAT (value-added tax). We’re used to paying it on many of the goods and services we purchase as we go about our everyday lives.

But when you have your own business, you’ll learn a whole new world of VAT exists as you work out how to apply it to your own trade. That’s because there are numerous VAT accounting schemes that HMRC offers, and which one is right for you will depend on the nature of your business.

(more…) Read More

Tax Insider August 2022

Included in this months article:

  • Lack of awareness of tax liability among crypto investors
  • HMRC: Businesses don’t think MTD applies to them
  • Self employed struggling with tax obligations
  • Bank of England focusses on returning inflation to 2% target
(more…) Read More

Government release their white paper for a fairer private rental sector

The Government this week has issued it’s long awaited white paper on reforming private landlord rental property rights. Some of the headline changes are:

  • End of Section 21 – No fault eviction (although Eviction will be mandatory where a tenant has been in at least two months’ arrears three times within the previous three years)
  • Pets are allowed
  • End to fixed term tenancies – will affect the student market most
  • Illegal to discriminate against Benefit tenants
  • The right for tenants to received refunds for poor quality accommodation
  • And much more


The Government has also issued a model tenancy agreement to support landlords and tenants to agree longer-term tenancies which can be found on our site and is free to use. You may need to seek legal advice to confirm it is appropriate for your intended use.

Read More

The Gear Giveaway Charity Raffle

We have come across a great new charity raffle for those people who love guitars in aid of 2 fantastic charities:

So here it is https://thegeargiveaway.com

They have launched starting with a great charity raffle where the profits are split between Teenage Cancer Trust and Silver lining Brain Injury Charity. So if you know anyone who plays guitar please do pass it on to them. Its a very cool guitar and 2 incredibly worthy causes. 

fender-jason-isbell-signature-telecaster-charity-raffle

Pass this on and have a go – someone has to win!

Read More