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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is issuing fresh warnings to employers to ensure their payment reference numbers are correct so that payments are recognised. Each payment reference number relates to a specific employer and covers a particular accounting period.

Throughout the pandemic and into the current recovery period, the Government has offered a number of loans to help businesses survive and invest for their future. However, only the Recovery Loan Scheme remains open, and this is due to end on 30 June, with no replacement taking its place.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has retained its online portal for claiming working from home tax relief for the 2022/23 tax year. But, while the rules and value of the relief remain unchanged, unless there are any further lockdowns this year far fewer people are likely to be able to claim.

There has been a surge in new company formations in the last few years, as entrepreneurs develop new and exciting business ideas and bring them to market. On top of this, there are a growing number of workers with ‘side hustles’, who are quickly scaling up their operations to deal with demand from their customers and clients.

When HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC’s) current guidance on the tax treatment of tips and troncs was first published back in 2014, tips and troncs were paid almost exclusively in cash or through card transactions.

From 1 September, changes to the rules regarding the Trust Registration Service (TRS) mean that more trusts will need to be registered with HM Revenue & Customs. The TRS was introduced five years ago to make the beneficial ownership of assets held in trust more transparent.

You have worked long and hard to get your business up and running and have put your heart and soul into making it successful. The thought of losing it can be incredibly stressful, both for you and any employees who could lose their jobs.

It is always a challenge to keep costs down for businesses, particularly at a time of soaring inflation and steep rises in the cost of utility bills. An expense report is designed to report on any business-related expenses an employee incurs, either by using a company credit card or by using their own funds.

Financing a new venture is a challenge, even harder in the current climate of high inflation, global uncertainty and the backdrop of war in Europe. Difficult, but not impossible. With planning, careful research and the right advice, you should be able to find the finance that is right for you.

National Insurance and Dividend Tax rates have increased by 1.25 percentage points as of 6 April, as part of the new Health and Social Care levy. These changes have brought additional complications to the payments of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and dividends that businesses are just getting to grips with.

The majority of adults will have flirted with the idea of starting a business and becoming the next Branson or Musk. That idea would have been firmly buried for many during the pandemic, but new figures show that nearly 13 per cent of UK adults are running fledgling businesses, according to research...

Several important changes are happening to research and development (R&D) tax reliefs in April 2023, which could affect what income qualifies for R&D tax relief that businesses need to account for in their plans. These new measures are still being considered by Parliament, but details of the upcoming...

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to launch a new mandatory P87 form from 7 May to create a consistent standard for the P87s it receives. What is a P87 form? Workers and their agents can use a P87 form to claim tax relief on work expenses. The form can only be used to claim tax rebates for an employee...

Exactly two years since the first lockdown was announced, the eyes of the public were firmly fixed on the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, as he rose to the despatch box in the House of Commons to deliver his Spring Statement. Yet again, Mr Sunak found himself addressing MPs against a background of crisis, with the residual...

Businesses across the UK are already benefitting from the temporary tax relief offered by the super-deduction but many more could still be missing out on this vital support. The super-deduction scheme was introduced on 1 April 2021 and will run until 31 March 2023. It allows firms investing in qualifying plant...

While the national job vacancy boom is good news for job seekers, it could be a nightmare for businesses keen on retaining high-quality staff. While a pay rise is always welcome it may not always be the most tax or National Insurance efficient approach when compared with other benefits, including salary sacrifice...

A cash flow statement provides data about all cash inflows a company receives from its operations and investments. It tells you how much cash is entering and leaving your business in any given period. Along with balance sheets and income statements, it is vital for managing your small business accounting and making...

The cloud is king in the world of accounting, with a vast range of software and applications available, designed to be easy to use by businesses and their owners. The beauty of cloud accounting is that the software can be accessed anywhere that has an internet connection on a range of devices.

Thousands of taxpayers benefited from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) as the pandemic raged over the last two years, before its closure last year. The scheme, which involved five grant payments, was set up by the Government to provide support for the self-employed, for example sole traders...

Taxpayers are being reminded that COVID-19 support grants or payments should be declared on company tax returns as they are taxable. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued a reminder that the filing deadline for company tax returns (CT600) is 12 months after the end of the accounting period it covers.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that it is having to prioritise its essential services by temporarily closing some of its telephone hotlines, following a surge in enquiries during and since the pandemic.

Whether you are setting up a new business, or already have a successful, well-established company, there are many ways that you can save money through tax reliefs and allowances. Certain tax initiatives even allow business owners to save money that can be invested in their company.

According to a new survey from the Federation of Small Business (FSB), more than 440,000 small businesses could fail because of a new late payment crisis. The national small business organisation has called for the Government to step in and take urgent action to improve how companies are paid.

A pilot scheme using software in preparation for the next phase of HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative has seen a slump in users. Self-employed businesses and landlords with annual business or property income above £10,000 will need to follow the rules for MTD...

Two company directors have been banned for a total of 21 years after they fraudulently claimed £100,000 in bounce back loans. Following an investigation by the Insolvency Service, Aamer Aslam from Huddersfield and Razwan Ashraf from Keighley were disqualified for 11 and 10 years respectively...

It was recently announced that the Government would reform business rates relief for owners of second homes – resulting in some holiday let owners facing additional costs of up to £1,000 a year.

It’s a new year and many people who may have lost their jobs during the pandemic or have decided to take their life in a new direction, will be looking to start up a business. It could be a full-time endeavour or a part-time business looking to make a bit of extra income to cope with the current cost of living crisis.

Every year employers across the UK submit an end-of-year report to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) outlining the benefits provided to each employee and director, which were not included in their wages.

Taxpayers who are unable to pay their Self-Assessment (SA) bill can use the option of paying by instalments with a Time to Pay arrangement with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). If you cannot pay a Self-Assessment tax bill you can make your own Time to Pay arrangement using your Government Gateway account...

Whether it is down to the spread of the Coronavirus or just a general trend to a more cashless society, card payments have boomed in the last couple of years. While restrictions were in place, hardly anyone accepted cash and it is a trend that looks like it will continue with more and more payments being made through card readers.

The 2023-24 tax year may seem a long way off, but it is important that companies are prepared for changes to the system a little more than year down the line. The main rate of Corporation Tax (CT) will rise to 25 per cent for the financial year commencing on 1 April 2023, but it is slightly more complicated...

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of the country, accounting for 99.9 per cent of all businesses across the UK. At the start of 2021, there were estimated to be 5.6 million UK private sector businesses.

Under new rules set by the Government, the system of penalties for VAT and Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) are changing. The new system of fines is aimed at tackling non-compliance by taxpayers who repeatedly fail to meet their obligations to provide returns and other information requested by HMRC.

All unincorporated businesses, including sole traders, the self-employed and trading partnerships, will be taxed on profits generated in the 12 months to 5 April (or 31 March) each year from 2024-25.

Following the impact on businesses in England of the current ‘Plan B’ covid measures and the impact of Omicron on trade in the hospitality sector in particular, the Government has announced a new support package.

The final stage of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT is just a few short months away. From 1 April 2022, even the smallest VAT registered business will need to comply with the quarterly digital recording and reporting of VAT – including those below the £85,000 VAT threshold who are voluntarily registered.

Every year many of us decide to set a New Year’s resolution. Perhaps it is losing weight, going vegetarian or putting extra money away in your savings. Of course, inevitably, life can get in the way and it is easy to lose track of the promises you set yourself.

Campaigners are angry over the fact that more and more people will be drawn into paying Inheritance Tax (IHT), after a big rise in receipts. They are angry that Chancellor Rishi Sunak has frozen the IHT nil rate band and residence nil rate band at £325,000 and £175,000, respectively, until 2026...

For busy small businesses, a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) offers a simpler alternative to pay your employees. It allows you to make one annual payment to cover all the tax and National Insurance due on minor, irregular or impracticable expenses or benefits for your workforce.

Self-Assessment taxpayers have been warned to be on their guard against fraudsters trying to steal their information. Over the last year, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) received nearly 900,000 reports from the public about suspicious HMRC contact, which included phone calls, texts or emails.

Well according to a recent Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT), yes, they should. In this latest case, a taxi driver in Watford was employed by a firm, which dictated that as part of his conditions of employment he was required to provide a vehicle and uniform, both of which were rented...

As infection rates of the Omicron COVID-19 variant rise across the UK, the Government has decided to implement its Plan B measures to restrict the spread of the virus. Although this announcement was expected, and details of it widely publicised beforehand, here is what you need to know...

Find out how your businesses can benefit from this Government-backed funding Although much of the COVID-19 financial support has been withdrawn, the Government still wants businesses to access funding to aid their recovery. That is why the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has extended the Recovery Loan Scheme until 30 June 2022...

Cost-saving will be key for many businesses struggling to get back up to speed after the pandemic. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were hit hard and now face higher inflation, skills shortages and rising wages. The Bank of England says the inflation figure could even hit four per cent by December.

Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were hit hardest at the beginning of the pandemic. They had access to support, like the Bounce Back Loan, which was easier to access and had lower interest rates, but those only helped during the short term.

If you have to submit a Self-Assessment tax return to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), you only have a few weeks left to submit it online. The clock is ticking on the 31 January 2022 online tax return deadline – miss it, and you could face fines. The 2020/21 tax return covers earnings and payments during the pandemic...

UK businesses have had plenty to cope with over the last 20 months or so. Hammered by COVID-19, hit by a skills shortage and coping with sometimes patchy supply chains. So, it’s even more important that they have robust measures in place to tackle fraud.

The Help to Grow campaign was first announced in the Spring Budget earlier this year but received yet another mention in the Autumn Budget as the Government ramps up support for smaller businesses. It has been designed to help more than 100,000 SMEs access management training and advice on innovations...

For years businesses on the British high street have been calling for reforms to the business rates system. The Chancellor has finally announced new measures in the Autumn Budget that he claims will reduce the burden of business rates in England by over £7 billion over the next five years.

A business that deals with cash flow every minute of the day, like a restaurant, can greatly benefit from cloud accounting software. Learn the best solution.

With the Speaker of the House of Commons by tradition not presiding over the Budget, the Chancellor might have hoped he would escape a rebuke over the number of important announcements disclosed to the media in advance. That was not to be, with the Chancellor instead receiving a ticking-off from Dame Eleanor Laing, the Chairman of...

The pandemic and its restrictions have placed a strain on all of us. It is not surprising that many fear the return of more measures that restrict our lives and businesses. There is growing concern that we are heading towards another spike in infections and a move to Plan B – what does this mean for you?

Thousands of taxpayers across the UK have received ‘nudge letters’ from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) encouraging them to declare unpaid tax. The reasons for being targeted vary but the impact of being contacted by HMRC can cause a lot of stress, leaving many taxpayers unsure about what they should do.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) ended in September but many firms could still be subject to a CJRS compliance check in the weeks and months ahead. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has been sending out letters to employers throughout the year telling them they need to pay back CJRS payments because they claimed too much or are suspected of furlough fraud.

Unincorporated businesses have heaved a sigh of relief after the Government delayed the date for the implementation of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) by one year to 2024. Hit hard by the pandemic, it will give these businesses, including the self-employed and landlords...

Have you ever considered buying a business? Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, acquiring a ‘ready-made’ business offers a number of advantages. For established businesses, buying a second company can help them break into new markets or acquire machinery, skilled workers or innovations...

Lots of businesses are seeking out finance at the moment, whether to fund an acquisition or finance investment, but given the challenges the economy faces, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure the right deal. If a business hasn’t sought out finance for a while or there has been a significant change to their...

The last month has highlighted the challenges that many businesses face when it comes to supplies and costs. Visions of people filling up plastic bottles with petrol or pulling trolleys of toilet rolls to their car may seem bizarre but they have become reality in the last year and this shortage of key supplies is affecting businesses.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced extensions to both the Kickstart Scheme and incentives to employers to take on apprentices.

If you are applying for the fifth and final grant of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), you must ensure that your application and any necessary documents are with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by 30th September.

Official research has found increasing confidence amongst SME employers, with 26 per cent saying they expect to increase their employee headcounts over the coming year. The findings from the Small Business Survey, carried out by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), show that the number of small...

The National Minimum Wage has been in place for more than two decades. It currently stands at £8.91 per hour for adults over the age of 23 (The National Living Wage), while the lowest figure is £4.30 per hour for an apprentice. While a sizeable number of breaches will be down to errors or incorrect interpretation of...

Couples may be missing out on tax breaks without realising it, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Savings can be made both with Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) by using their personal tax allowance.For CGT, a couple’s two allowances (each equal to £12,300) can be combined to reduce the final tax bill on a transaction...

It is a nightmare that plagues both business and private users alike, but cyber security experts are continuing to fight back against the online crooks using email scams targeting their organisations. The UK’s cyber police force, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has published guidance for businesses on...

While rising property values may seem like good news, as prices go through the roof it could land you with a hefty Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill. The latest data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) show that the average IHT tax bill stood at nearly £210,000. IHT is a charge on the value of the estate of someone who has died...

As the UK emerges from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic there are many positive indicators of financial recovery, such as a fall in COVID-induced public spending, a rise in job vacancies and a decline in unemployment, all of which are encouraging businesses to grow.

Taxpayers face an increase in their National Insurance contributions (NICs) and dividend tax rates from 2022. To explain how this significant change may affect you, please use our helpful FAQ below: How much is the National Insurance rate increasing? The Health and Social Care Levy will see a 1.25 percentage point increase in NICs.

Thousands of people who put money into their pension each year are inadvertently failing to declare pension tax charges, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This can lead to an unexpected and costly tax bill. Most taxpayers can save up to £40,000 in pension contributions tax-free each tax year...

Taxation and other measures to be included in the Finance Bill for 2021-22 have now been announced. The draft legislation largely covers pre-announced policy changes, along with accompanying explanatory notes, tax information and impact notes, as well as responses to consultations and other supporting documents.

As the UK economy gets back to full speed and confidence grows amongst small businesses, the impact of the ‘super-deduction’ and the ‘special rate allowance (SRA)’ should encourage even stronger growth. According to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the super-deduction will give companies a strong incentive...

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned that debt collection will resume as the UK emerges from the pandemic and it will be contacting taxpayers who have fallen behind with their taxes. HMRC says it will take an understanding and supportive approach to dealing with those who have tax debts or are concerned...

With predictions that the UK economy is set to grow at its fastest pace in 80 years and could recover to its pre-pandemic size by the end of this year, SME owners are feeling more optimistic and are keen to invest in growth.

Where grants claimed under the self-employment income support scheme (SEISS) do not correspond with records held by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), it will auto-correct 2020-21 tax returns and issue a new SA302 calculation to both taxpayer and acting agent.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that the portal for the fifth round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is now open. In recent weeks, the tax authority has been directly contacting taxpayers that it believes are eligible for the fifth round of the scheme, providing them with their personal claim date.

While most Covid restrictions in England ended on Monday 19 July, the requirements for people testing positive and their close contacts to self-isolate will continue to apply until 16 August, when they will change for under-18s and double-vaccinated adults.

From 19 July the majority of the remaining Coronavirus pandemic restrictions will end in England, with a similar reduction of measures in Wales and Scotland. Commonly being referred to as Freedom Day, this final step in reopening the economy will see many of the rules placed upon businesses removed.

From April 2023, the Corporation Tax rate will rise for companies with profits of more than £50,000, following the Chancellor’s announcement at his Spring 2021 Budget. However, the new higher rate of Corporation Tax will not be the same for all companies and will instead be tied to their profits.

The next big step in the Government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative is rapidly approaching. From 6 April 2023, MTD is expanding to include businesses and landlords with a combined total gross income over £10,000 per annum, from the following sources...

Penalties for late submission and late tax payments will be determined by a new points system to make them fairer and more consistent, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced. Under the new system, penalties will be points-based rather than automatic. This means that those who consistently miss deadlines will accrue...

Payments on account are advance payments towards your tax liability for the year, if you complete a UK Self-Assessment tax return and is a way of settling tax owed. The two deadlines for the self-employed to pay their tax bills are 31 January and 31 July of each year. These two payments are made during the year...

A payroll services boss has been banned for orchestrating a multi-million-pound tax avoidance scheme. The case puts a spotlight on company owners and should serve as a reminder that they are subject to strict conditions over keeping records.The High Court issued a disqualification order lasting 11 years to the sole...

Unlike other benefits, tax credits usually have to be renewed each year by 31 July to continue receiving payments from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). If you are claiming tax credits, it is really important to look carefully at the information you receive. Even if you have stopped getting tax credits, you still need to check...

Parents faced with the financial headache of childcare over the long school summer holidays are reminded they can get support from the Government. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is reminding working families that they can use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for their childcare costs over the summer.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) continues to support many businesses, who are reliant on the financial support it offers to cover the costs of staff on furlough. Extended earlier this year in the Budget, support from the CJRS will slowly be withdrawn in the next three months before closing altogether...

Introduced in July 2020, the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Holiday has helped hundreds of homeowners and investors to reduce the cost of purchasing a new property. However, the higher SDLT thresholds will change from 1 July increasing the cost of buying or transferring a home. From the beginning of July, the SDLT rules...

The Treasury has reassured many distressed business owners by confirming that a moratorium on commercial evictions introduced in April 2020 will now be extended for another year. The ban, introduced more than a year ago, has already been extended twice and was due to expire at the end of June but will now remain in place...

The fifth round of the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will launch in late July, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. This round of the SEISS will differ from previous rounds as it will be paid at two different rates, which depend on the reduction in turnover a self-employed individual...

Businesses affected by Coronavirus can still access the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) launched in April, despite the closure of applications for other Government loan schemes, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The RLS opened for application on 6 April 2021, following the closure of...

People who enrolled in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) have been reminded that they must include income from their grants on tax returns to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), as it is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance. They should liaise with their accountants so an accurate return can be sent to HMRC...

There are many problems associated with the pandemic, apart from the obvious one of the illness caused by the virus itself. Conmen and scammers have taken advantage of the situation, bombarding people and businesses with bogus claims about tax owed in the hope that just a few respond.

For many businesses, the pandemic has turned the world on its head, with many who might have expected to be profitable experiencing a loss. Sometimes losses happen simply because the business is very new, or because costs have unexpectedly risen. However, COVID-19 has thrown another dimension into the mix, seeing thousands...

The second part of a sweeping review of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) has been published with 14 key recommendations. In July 2020, the Chancellor asked the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to carry out a review, to “identify opportunities relating to administrative and technical issues as well as areas where the present...

Putting together an efficient tax strategy should be a no-brainer for buy-to-let landlords seeking to maximise their income. It may not be quite as glamorous as hunting down the perfect property, but when it comes to saving cash, it can make a huge difference to your bottom line.

Both the Bank of England and the UK’s leading business members’ organisation believe the economy is set to take off after the vaccine bump. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is expected to rise sharply in the second quarter as lockdown eases. Bank economists say this is a result of the vaccine rollout and the fastest predicted...

Looking for information on how a business organises its finances? Learn about financial reporting through GRC or Governance Risk and Compliance tools.

Companies that signed up to the VAT deferral scheme have been warned they face a five per cent penalty if they do not make payment arrangements by 30 June this year. Over half a million businesses deferred VAT payments last year. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that companies will be liable for the penalty or interest...

The devastating effects of the pandemic have meant small businesses in the UK have changed the direction of their organisations to survive the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions. More than a year on from the start of the first official national lockdown and with the country currently slowly exiting...

One unexpected bonus for staff forced to work from home because of the pandemic has been a £6 per week tax break. People will have seen their household bills naturally go up over the last year, from increased working at home and the Government has recognised this.

In most cases, expenses an employee incurs at work are paid for by their employer, but some, like travel and accommodation expenses, are reimbursed later by the employer. Since 2016, the system for reimbursed expenses has been simplified, which means that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will usually accept that business expenses...

With the fourth round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) now well underway, HM Revenue & Customs has announced tough new fines for those that abuse the financial support on offer. The new penalty regime is aimed at those who have overclaimed the SEISS grant, which includes any amount of grant...