Offering competitive employee benefits is crucial for SMEs, especially to attract and retain talent. But this can be tricky when budgets are tighter than in large companies. The most effective benefits strike a balance between affordability for the business and strong perceived value for employees. So which are best to consider, and do any offer […]
Setting up a business partnership can be an exciting time. Working with other professionals can offer additional skills, and the ability to steer your company successfully with insight, support and guidance from others. There is no legal requirement to have a written partnership agreement in the UK, but they can be a very helpful tool. […]
Offering a staff training budget is an important strategic decision, helping attract and retain employees. Some staff training budgets can be tax exempt in certain conditions too. One of the trickiest issues when running an SME is ensuring you recruit and retain a solid team. Offering opportunities for staff training and professional development can be […]
HMRC has announced that it will be closing its free online service for filing corporation tax returns and company accounts. From next year businesses will now have to pay to file these statutory items. So why the change to these important tax compliance services? Earlier this month, HMRC announced that its online service for filing […]
In the Autumn Budget, Rachel Reeves promised that there would only be one fiscal event each year with no other significant tax changes coming more frequently. So would the Spring Statement offer any surprises? In her Spring Statement on 26th March 2025 the Chancellor Rachel Reeves repeatedly mentioned how the world changes rapidly: economic and […]
If you’re building personal savings, it’s useful to understand at what point you might need to pay tax on your funds. However, recently HMRC has begun to estimate the amount of interest due on your savings and collect it through your tax coding notice. So what do you need to know to avoid paying too […]
The 31 January is deadline day for self-assessment tax returns. And despite the efforts of accountants and individuals the month of January typically involves a last minute scramble for records and receipts. This year, according to data from HMRC, 1.1 million individuals missed the 2023/24 deadline; the same number as last year. The tax […]
The start of a year is always good time to look ahead at what tax and financial changes will take effect over the coming months. For SMEs there are a number of changes in 2025 which could have an impact on operations and which it makes sense to plan for. Increase in National Minimum Wage […]
The new Labour government has confirmed that the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative will go ahead. It had been unclear whether the policy introduced by the Conservatives would be followed in the same way and to the same timeline. However, the Autumn budget appeared to support the programme’s existing timeline. What is Making Tax Digital?Making […]
New rules are being introduced for claiming employment expenses. To help reduce ineligible claims and tax abuse employees now need to use a P87 form and provide supporting evidence. The new rules took effect on 14th October 2024. The new process to “check first, pay layer” follows feedback that more ineligible claims were being made. […]
With the Christmas period approaching you may be considering you might like to reward your employees. So what are the tax rules when it comes to Christmas gifts or extending festive bonuses to your team? This time of year can be a good opportunity to recognise hard work and commitment from your team. But ahead […]
Choosing whether to register for self-assessment can be a difficult decision. Certain myths have also thrived, making the decision more complex. To help, HMRC has clarified some of the most common misconceptions surrounding self-assessment and when you’ll need to pay tax when you’re self-employed. With more people now working for themselves, HMRC has highlighted five […]