Blog
Winter Fuel Payment tax recovery
Unless opted out, pensioners will have received the winter fuel payment for 2025/26, but it is recoverable by HMRC if income exceeds £35,000. HMRC guidance on the recovery process has recently been updated.
Increased HMRC mileage rate
The Chancellor has announced a 10p per mile increase for the tax-free mileage rates, which can be paid to employees using their own cars for business purposes, with the increase backdated to 6 April 2026.
Cycling to work tax savings continue
The cycle-to-work scheme has become extremely popular, which should be no surprise given the tax savings and given there is no financial limit on the value of cycles that can be provided to employees under the cycle-to-work scheme.
A light shone on the limits of the IHT gift rule
The normal expenditure out of income exemption allows individuals to make gifts during their lifetime that are immediately exempt from inheritance tax (IHT) – there is no seven-year wait. A recent case heard by the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has cast some light on what is meant by ‘normal expenditure’.
Making Tax Digital launches but few are ready
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is now live, but given the low numbers registered with HMRC, many sole traders and landlords affected are still looking at how to comply and keep the administrative burden to a minimum.
Renters’ Rights Act 2026: Are you Ready?
The Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May, bringing significant changes for landlords. To help provide clarity, we are pleased to be taking part in a free landlord information evening hosted by Maddisons Residential on Thursday 7 May.
Cryptoasset disclosure
Despite running for over two years, HMRC’s cryptoasset disclosure service has only generated just over £4 million in disclosures. An indication, perhaps, of the low level of awareness and compliance surrounding cryptoassets.
Are you ready for April’s tax changes?
The start of the tax year on Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) heralds a variety of changes to tax rules, few of them welcome. We take a look at the main changes coming into effect.
Don’t fall into the communication gap on Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital is due to start from April and it is expected that a number of taxpayers will be unaware of their requirements.
CGT increases lead to reduced tax take
The government cut the capital gains tax (CGT) annual exemption from £12,300 in 2022/23 to just £3,000 from 2024/25 onwards. You might expect this to lead to a higher tax take, but the results so far have been quite the opposite.
Beating the dividend tax rates rise
From 6 April 2026, the basic and higher tax rates on dividend income are going to increase by two percent. This means owner-managers need to act as a matter of urgency if they wish to benefit from some fairly basic tax planning.
Cracking the (PAYE) code
More than 5.6 million employees were issued the wrong tax code last year, resulting in £3.5 billion in tax overpaid to HMRC. Reclaiming overpayments, however, can be a slow and frustrating process.
Property income tax rates going up
Landlords are now facing an across-the-board two percent increase for property income tax rates from 6 April 2027.
Inheritance Tax Business Property Relief – Where are we now?
The inheritance tax (IHT) agricultural relief U-turns have been well publicised, but the changes apply equally to Business Property Relief.
Tax charges to rise on overdrawn Directors Loan Accounts
The tax charge when a director, who is also a participator, has an outstanding loan with a close company is going up by two percent, to 35.75%, from 6 April 2026.
Venture Capital Trust changes
The rate of income tax relief for individuals investing in venture capital trusts (VCTs) is to be cut. However, gross asset and investment limits for the scheme will become more beneficial.
And now for the next New Year
With the festivities behind us, it is time to turn our thoughts to the next ‘new year’, on 5 April. We take a brief look at a few things to consider before the end of the tax year.
The 31 January Deadline is Approaching!
With the end of January rapidly approaching, many will be turning their attention to the Self-Assessment tax return deadline. If you need to file a tax return and haven’t yet now is the time to act.
Companies House changes and fee increases
Companies House have announced a substantial increase to the fees charged. The doubling cost of incorporating a business is a particular sting in the tail.
Untangling red tape on company reporting
Government plans on company reporting appear somewhat contradictory. Some regulations are set to tighten from April 2027, but latest announcements suggest a move in the opposite direction.