Blog
HMRC moves to digital correspondence
Starting Spring 2026, HMRC will significantly reduce the number of paper letters it sends, accelerating its transition to digital communication. Email alerts will replace automatic postal letters, directing taxpayers to view new documents in their personal tax account...
HMRC resumes direct debit recovery from firms
Businesses across the UK are being warned to settle overdue tax promptly, as HMRC has begun issuing letters to firms with outstanding liabilites. HMRC is warning that the tax authority may exercise its revived powers to recover overdue tax directly from their bank or...
Protect Yourself from Self‑Assessment Scams
With the Self-Assessment deadline looming at the end of January, it’s crucial to stay alert. Cybercriminals often exploit this busy period, using convincing methods to steal personal details or trick taxpayers into making fraudulent payments. Scammers may send fake...
UK Resident Crypto asset Users: HMRC’s New Reporting Rules
In 2026, UK resident crypto asset users will see a major change in how their activity is monitored. Any UK-based crypto asset service providers, such as exchanges or wallet platforms, will be required to report tax-relevant information about their customers directly...
HMRC reviews directors’ loan account tax relief
HMRC has started contacting tax agents to check whether companies correctly claimed relief relating to directors’ loan accounts. The letters ask agents to review filings where relief from tax was claimed on the basis that a loan to a participator would be repaid...
Dealing with HMRC Penalties: What You Need to Know
HMRC is introducing significant changes to its penalty regime for late filing of corporation tax returns, and businesses should take note. From 1 April 2026, the financial consequences of missing deadlines will become much more severe. Under the new rules, filing a...
Digital Record Keeping and Quarterly Reporting Requirements for Traders and Landlords (“MTD”)
Updates are continuing to come through on HMRC’s ‘Making Tax Digital for Income Tax’ (‘MTD for IT’) initiative. It will initially apply from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and property landlords who generated gross trade and rental income (‘qualifying income’) of more...
From Speculation to Reality: The November Budget Explained
After months of anticipation, Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her long-awaited budget. Yesterday, the Chancellor unveiled the November 2025 Budget. While it wasn’t the worst-case scenario many had feared or spent weeks preparing for, one thing is certain: the tax...
HMRC Reminds Seasonal Sellers to Check Tax Obligations
As the festive season approaches, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging anyone who earns money from Christmas crafts, seasonal market stalls, or selling festive items to check whether they need to report their earnings for last year. HMRC’s “Help for Hustles”...
Winter Fuel Payment Clawback
Individuals born before 22 September 1959 and living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland are likely to be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) of between £100 and £300 for this upcoming winter (2025-26). Payments will be made in November or December 2025....
HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap
On 21 July 2025, HMRC unveiled its Transformation Roadmap, outlining bold plans to become a digital-first organisation by 2030. The goal is for 90% of customer interactions to take place digitally, up from the current 76%. This shift will involve automating tax...
Will taxes rise in the Autumn?
The Autumn Budget date has not yet officially been announced but based on tradition, it is likely to be late October or early November. Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over whether the Chancellor will be forced to break the promises made in their manifesto...
What is ‘L’ Day?
‘Legislation Day’ – also known as’ L Day’ - is an important date on the calendar. It’s when the government publishes draft clauses for the next Finance Bill and other documents for technical consultation. It also provides us all with more certainty over future...
Pensioners earning under £35k to get winter fuel cash again
Last month Chancellor Rachel Reeves reversed the decision to restrict winter fuel payments, confirming that pensioners in England and Wales with taxable incomes of £35,000 or less will again receive the benefit from this autumn. Pensioners aged 67-79 will be paid...
What is the most tax-efficient way to take funds out of my company?
This is one of the most frequent questions we're asked by our owner-managed company clients. Unfortunately, the stock answer, "Take a salary up to your Personal Allowance and take the rest as dividends" is not always the answer. The truth is, without performing...
If you are earning extra income to make ends meet, do you need to file a Tax Return?
With the rise of side hustles—from selling online and tutoring to freelancing, content creation, crypto trading, and dog walking—many people are topping up their income. But if your extra earnings exceed £1,000 a year, there's something else you might need to add to...
State Pension changes in 2025
The State Pension remains a cornerstone of retirement income for millions across the UK. While private pensions and personal investments contribute to financial security in later years, the State Pension provides a reliable foundation of support. However, with...
HMRC Stops Issuing UTR Numbers Over the Phone – What You Need to Know
From 6 May 2025, HMRC will no longer confirm a taxpayer’s Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number over the phone. This change affects individual taxpayers as well as agents calling on behalf of clients. Instead, UTR numbers will now be accessible exclusively through...
Updates are continuing to come through on HMRC’s ‘Making Tax Digital for Income Tax’ (‘MTD for IT’) initiative. It will initially apply from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and property landlords who generated gross trade and rental income (‘qualifying income’) of more... After months of anticipation, Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her long-awaited budget. Yesterday, the Chancellor unveiled the November 2025 Budget. While it wasn’t the worst-case scenario many had feared or spent weeks preparing for, one thing is certain: the tax... HMRC’s online service to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is now live. The service was announced at the Spring Statement 2025 and aims to reduce the need for some taxpayers to complete self assessment solely to settle the... The UK Government has announced a new plan to support small businesses, with a wide-ranging set of measures designed to tackle long-standing challenges and drive growth. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Institute of Chartered... HMRC has launched a letter campaign aimed at companies that may have made mistakes when claiming corporation tax marginal relief. If your business receives one of these letters, it’s essential to respond within 30 days even if you believe your corporation tax... HMRC received 170,000 scam referrals in the year to July 2025. Phishing scams are getting smarter. They are no longer just clumsy emails, they now mimic official branding, include QR codes, and look convincing. For small businesses, falling for one can mean stolen... The Autumn Budget date has not yet officially been announced but based on tradition, it is likely to be late October or early November. Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over whether the Chancellor will be forced to break the promises made in their manifesto... This is one of the most frequent questions we're asked by our owner-managed company clients. Unfortunately, the stock answer, "Take a salary up to your Personal Allowance and take the rest as dividends" is not always the answer. The truth is, without performing... The 'Tax Gap'—the difference between the tax HMRC expects to collect and what it actually receives—is widening. According to new data published on 19 June 2025, a staggering £46.8 billion went uncollected in the 2023–24 fiscal year. That’s 5.3% of all tax due, edging...
Digital Record Keeping and Quarterly Reporting Requirements for Traders and Landlords (“MTD”)
From Speculation to Reality: The November Budget Explained
Updated process for High Income Child Benefit change
Government outlines plan to support small businesses
HMRC Targets Errors in Marginal Relief Claims. What Business Owners Need to Know.
Think It’s HMRC? Think Again: How to Spot a Scam Before It’s Too Late
Will taxes rise in the Autumn?
What is the most tax-efficient way to take funds out of my company?
What is ‘The Tax Gap’?
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