Gough Accountancy

Pay for imports declared via the CDS

Where cryptoasset tokens (also known as cryptocurrency) are held personally, this investment is usually undertaken in the hope of making a capital appreciation in its value or to make particular purchases. HMRC is clear that these holdings will usually be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if there is a gain when disposing of these

If your business imports goods into the UK, it is important to be familiar with the Customs Declaration Service and to ensure that any duty payments are made correctly and on time to avoid delays, interest or penalties. The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is a specially designed IT platform used for completing customs declarations for

Tax and trivial benefits

Company Voluntary Arrangements

There is a trivial benefit-in-kind (BiK) exemption that applies to small, non-cash gifts (such as a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers) that are occasionally given to employees. This exemption enables employers to offer modest, tax-efficient rewards while simplifying the administration of BiKs. The BiK exemption allows businesses to

P45s, P11Ds and P60s – what are they?

A Company Voluntary Arrangement (also known as a CVA) is a special arrangement that allows a company with debt problems or that is insolvent to reach a voluntary agreement to pay its business creditors over a fixed period of time. The arrangement is similar to the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) that can be used by a sole-trader

Most employees will come across forms such as the P45, P11D and P60 during their working life, and knowing what each one is for can make it much easier to keep track of your tax position. A P45 is issued to employees who leave their employment or lose their job. The P45 shows how much tax you have paid during the current tax year (6

Updating your tax code

Tread carefully when using temporary contracts to confer tax breaks

It is quite common for tax codes to be wrong, particularly if your income or employment situation has changed, so it is worth taking a few moments to check that HMRC has the correct information about you. HMRC usually updates your tax code automatically when your income changes, using information provided by your employer. However, if

05/11/2025 More...

A recent ruling has established that temporary worker arrangements do not constitute a single, continuous employment relationship in which workers retain the unfettered right to refuse assignments. This effectively confirms the prerequisite for a mutuality of obligation when accruing tax breaks. Mainpay engaged temporary workers in the

Reviewing insurance cover

03/11/2025 More...

Many businesses arrange insurance in the early days and then only look at it again when something changes, or when a renewal comes around. The difficulty with this approach is that risks evolve over time, and gaps in cover often only become visible when there is a claim. A short review with an insurance broker can help ensure that your

Understanding the responsibilities of company directors

03/11/2025 More...

Taking on the role of a company director is more than holding a title. Directors have legal duties that shape how a company is run, how decisions are made and how risks are managed. These responsibilities exist to protect the business, its shareholders, employees and anyone who deals with the company. Even in a small or family run

Why ID verification is supposedly good for business

Business Asset Disposal Relief – the present rates

Last week, we covered the new requirement for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identities from 18 November 2025. This process will be rolled out over 12 months, with Companies House reaching out directly to companies, providing guidance on what actions need to be taken and the deadlines for each

Taxable benefits for use of company car

If you are thinking about selling a business or shares, it is important to understand how Business Asset Disposal Relief works, particularly with rates set to increase from April 2026. Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) provides a valuable tax advantage, offering a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale of a business,

Advantages of VAT Flat Rate Scheme

The tax you pay on the use of a company car depends largely on its CO2 emissions, so choosing a lower emission or electric vehicle can make a significant difference to your overall tax cost. The benefits in kind (BIK) tax on company cars can be quite significant, with taxable rates ranging from 3% to 37% of the car’s list price when new.

When you don't need to make payments on account

If your business has relatively low VATable expenses, the VAT Flat Rate Scheme can simplify your VAT reporting and may also improve cash flow. The VAT Flat Rate Scheme is designed to simplify VAT accounting for small businesses. Instead of calculating VAT on each sale and purchase, businesses pay a fixed percentage of their total

If you file a Self-Assessment return you may need to pay your tax in three instalments, so it is useful to know when payments on account apply and when they can be reduced or removed. The first two payments on account are due by 31 January during the tax year and by the 31 July after the tax year has ended. Each payment on account is

Paying Class 4 NICs

Beware of the risks of engaging employees as sham contractors

If you are self-employed and your profits are above £12,570, you may need to pay Class 4 National Insurance, so it is important to understand how the rates and rules apply to you. Self-employed individuals are usually required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs) if their annual profits exceed £12,570. These

Facing change with confidence

Recently, a clear legal precedent confirmed that the nature of an individual's work is determined by the reality of the actual employment relationship rather than by arbitrary titles. Mr. Gooch worked for the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) from 1 November 2011 until 26 April 2024, initially as a Policy Director on a

27/10/2025 More...

Change is part of every business journey. Whether it is prompted by new technology, regulation or shifts in the market, the ability to adapt determines how well a business performs in the long term. Yet managing change is not simply about introducing something new. It is about understanding what needs to change, why it matters and how to

Valuing and pricing goods and services

27/10/2025 More...

For any business, knowing how to value and price what it sells is fundamental to success. Yet many small firms still rely on guesswork or simply copy competitors’ prices without understanding whether their own costs, quality or value proposition justify those figures. Accountants can play an important role in helping clients to take a

Have you verified your ID at Companies House?

Report and pay Capital Gains Tax

From 18 November 2025, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be legally required to verify their identity at Companies House. This verification is being phased in over 12 months and Companies House is contacting companies directly with guidance regarding what needs to be done and by when. These changes are

Reliefs and allowances for Corporation Tax purposes

If you have sold a UK residential property since 6 April 2020, it is important to be aware that the reporting and payment deadlines for Capital Gains Tax have changed. For property sales completed on or after 27 October 2021, any Capital Gains Tax that becomes payable must now be reported and paid within 60 days of completion. This

Reporting foreign income to HMRC

Companies can reduce their Corporation Tax bill through a range of reliefs, including R&D credits, Patent Box, and creative industry tax reliefs, all of which will help to lower the overall tax on profits. Your company can also claim capital allowances for assets such as equipment, machinery and cars bought to use in your

If you are UK resident and receive income from abroad, such as overseas wages, rent, or investments, you may need to pay UK Income Tax and report it through Self-Assessment. Income Tax is generally payable on taxable income received by individuals including earnings from employment, earnings from self-employment, pensions income,

Claiming lettings relief