Business news and opinion from Evans Weir

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 […]

Companies House has launched a voluntary identity verification service for company directors and people with significant control. The move marks the first phase of a wider initiative to tackle corporate fraud and misuse of the companies register. Individuals can now digitally verify their identity either directly through Companies House using the GOV.UK login or through […]

Earlier this year the Government launched a short consultation to gauge how e-invoicing can and should be adopted for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) transactions. Some of the topics under review include whether e-invoicing should be compulsory or voluntary, and the practicality of real-time digital reporting. Understanding e-invoicing While many UK businesses currently send invoices […]

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 […]

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software, popular with many SMEs. We began working with Xero in 2022 and recommend it to clients who are keen to use a powerful, affordable software package to help them better manage their financial accounting. Here are a few of the benefits which Xero may be able to offer your […]

Running a business can be a challenging task, especially if you don’t have all the information you need to hand. Management accounts can be a helpful tool, enabling you to properly understand how your business is performing and inform any decisions you need to make. What are management accounts? Management accounts are financial reports prepared […]

Newly proposed changes to Inheritance Tax would see 150,000 grieving families hit with higher tax bills. The plans, announced late last year by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, mean that pension wealth could be taken into account when calculating the size of an estate. The changes would take affect from April 2027. According to data from a […]

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 […]

HMRC has introduced a new interactive online business tool, alongside clearer guidance for self-employed individuals and those exploring self-employment opportunities. Designed to support new and established sole traders, the free tool provides detailed insights into record-keeping requirements, relevant business taxes and other essential information, such as how to pay tax bills. This could help whether […]

Effective cash flow management is crucial for SMEs to ensure business stability, growth and resilience against unexpected financial challenges. So with a new year ahead here are some useful steps to consider when considering cash flow: 1. Create a cash flow forecast Creating a detailed forecast allows cash inflows and outflows to be predicted over […]