News
Does your business need to register as an employer?
23/07/2026
If you are starting to employ staff or engaging subcontractors for construction work, you will generally need to register as an employer with HMRC. This obligation extends even to individuals who are the sole director of their own limited company, in other words, you must register even if you are only employing yourself.
It is important
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Self-Employed - Are your business records in order?
23/07/2026
As a self-employed individual, whether a sole trader or partner, you must keep accurate records of your business income and expenses to back up your self-assessment tax return. You should also keep your personal income details up to date. Nominated partners will also need to keep partnership records.
You can also choose an accounting
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Advising HMRC of change in circumstances
23/07/2026
If your personal details or circumstances change, you may need to tell HMRC as this could affect your tax position or entitlement to certain benefits.
You should notify HMRC if you get married or form a civil partnership, or if you divorce, separate or stop living with your husband, wife or partner. You should report these changes as
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Is HMRC holding money that belongs to you?
23/07/2026
It is important to know if HMRC is holding money that belongs to you. For example, if you have paid too much tax to HMRC, you may be able to claim a tax refund (also known as a tax rebate). Overpayments can happen for a number of reasons, including changes in your employment, paying tax using the wrong startegy or not claiming eligible
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Are you using the best VAT scheme for your business?
23/07/2026
Small businesses have several VAT schemes available that can simplify VAT administration and may help with cash flow. However, as a business grows or its circumstances change, it is important to review whether the VAT scheme being used is still the best for your business.
The main VAT special schemes available to small businesses are
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Claiming tax relief on business insurance
23/07/2026
If you are self-employed, you may be able to claim tax relief on certain business insurance costs as an allowable expense. This means the cost can be deducted when calculating your taxable profits, reducing the amount of tax you may need to pay.
The insurance must relate to your business activities and be incurred wholly and exclusively
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Don’t let discrimination lead to resignation or risk facing career compensation
22/07/2026
A recent ruling has cleared the path to uncapped financial compensation following a forced resignation. A longstanding social worker had complaints raised over her work by an interim service manager. The ensuing investigation, however, failed to inform her of the specific allegations, their source, or their scope. This covert enquiry had
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Has a pay rise quietly increased your tax bill?
20/07/2026
Many employees and business owners have welcomed higher earnings over the past few years. However, for a growing number of taxpayers, a larger salary does not necessarily mean significantly more money in their pocket.
The reason is a process known as fiscal drag.
Although tax rates have remained broadly unchanged, personal tax
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Could new VAT rules change how you sell online?
20/07/2026
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals that could significantly change the way VAT is collected on goods sold through online marketplaces. Although the changes are not yet law, they could affect thousands of UK businesses that use online platforms to reach customers.
The consultation forms part of HMRC's continuing
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Are you maximising tax relief on company losses?
16/07/2026
If your company makes a trading loss, it may be able to claim relief to reduce its Corporation Tax liability. Trading losses can often be used in different ways, depending on your company’s circumstances.
A company may be able to use a trading loss against profits from the same accounting period, carry it back to reduce profits from an
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Could you claim tax relief for property repairs?
16/07/2026
Property owners often incur costs for repairs, and understanding which costs can be deducted is important when calculating taxable property income.
You can generally claim tax relief for repairs carried out on a property business, provided the cost relates to restoring or maintaining the property rather than improving it. A deduction is
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Is your spouse paying more tax than necessary?
16/07/2026
Married couples and civil partners are taxed separately for Capital Gains Tax (CGT), meaning each person has their own annual tax position. However, with careful planning, transferring assets between spouses or civil partners can sometimes help reduce their overall tax bill.
Where spouses or civil partners are living together, most
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