Shareholders Agreements and Why They Are Important
The importance of a shareholders agreement For limited companies, when it comes to making decisions, Company Law states shareholders who own more than 50% can pass a motion at a company meeting regardless of the views of other shareholders and if a shareholder(s) owns 75% or more of the shares they, control the company outright…
Read More
How high could interest rates rise?
Earlier this month the Bank of England (BOE) raised interest rates for a 12th consecutive time as the rate of rising prices remains high. The Bank rate has gone up from 4.25% to 4.5%. The BOE has been under pressure to put rates up because it has a target to keep inflation at 2%, but…
Read More
High Income Benefit Charge Catching You Out?
Mistakes made when claiming higher rate child benefit are most frequently the result of poor communication from HMRC and it is more difficult for those with complex, fluctuating earnings The high income child benefit charge (HICBC) raised £416m in 2019-20 but it is a hard tax charge to administer as many of the families affected…
Read More
Virtual Christmas Party
Due to the coronavirus restrictions, you may be unable to host your usual Christmas Party for your employees. We are pleased to confirm that the annual parties’ exemption (s264 ITEPA03) will apply to the costs associated with virtual parties in the same way that it would for traditionally held parties. Therefore, subject to the normal…
Read More
Why Accurate Bookkeeping Data Matters More Than You Think
As an accountant, one of the most common issues I see is not tax planning or complex regulations – it’s poor bookkeeping data. Business owners often underestimate how critical accurate bookkeeping is, not just for compliance, but for making better decisions and keeping professional fees under control. Simply put: your books tell the story of…
Read More
Registering for Self-Employment
Once you have made the step of deciding to go self-employed once of the first things you need to do is to register with HM Revenue & Customs. Registering for Self-employment Registering for tax is an essential step in becoming a sole trader. It ensures that you are compliant with the law and can accurately…
Read More
Summer 2026 Tax Thoughts
Reporting requirements for directors increased From the tax year 2025-26 directors of close companies are required to provide additional information in their tax returns, even where no income has been received. HMRC has updated the self assessment tax return for the tax year just ended (2025-26). The form includes additional boxes on the employment pages…
Read More
No Penalty issued by HMRC to Angela Rayner
Everybody is confused and surprised by the decision not to issue a penalty for Angela Rayner’s tax mistake on stamp duty as HMRC decided she had ‘acted with reasonable care’ HMRC’s approach to penalties angers accountants as ‘carelessness’ penalty regime becomes ‘taxation on genuine mistakes’. Accountants at leading firm Blick Rothenberg are calling for stronger…
Read More
Capital Gain when you sell a second property
Capital Gains Tax on 2nd Property Who does this effect, it effects landlords with one or more property’s or where they rent this out on a commercial basis for payment of rent for living there. individuals who have a second home, but this may not necessary be rented out but for their own use and…
Read More
Importance of Bookkeeping and the data
Why Accurate Bookkeeping Data Matters More Than You Think As an accountant, one of the most common issues I see is not tax planning or complex regulations – it’s poor bookkeeping data. Business owners often underestimate how critical accurate bookkeeping is, not just for compliance, but for making better decisions and keeping professional fees under…
Read More
Spring Tax Update
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax letters With just one month to go before the first tranche of individuals are required to sign up to MTD for income tax, HMRC is writing to taxpayers it believes might be affected From April 2026, sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000, based on the information…
Read More
Bank Reconcilitation
What is Bank Reconciliation? Bank reconciliation is still one of the most important activities on the bookkeeping and the financial statements. Bank reconciliation is the process of matching the bank balances reflected in the cash book of a business with the balances reflected in the bank statement of the business in a given period. Such…
Read More
Time to Pay Your Tax
Paying Your Tax The tax return deadline approaching there will be some people among us that need to settle our tax liabilities by 31 January annually. This comes at a time when some people will have cashflow problems as this is just after Christmas when the credit card bill have arrived and most of us…
Read More
Construction Industry Scheme Hints and Tips
Registering for Construction Industry Scheme When you register for the scheme, it will come with registering for a PAYE (pay as you earn) scheme with HM Revenue & Customs. You must submit a return even if you do not pay anyone working for you for the month known as a nil return. If you are…
Read More