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HMRC’s Time to Pay lets eligible taxpayers spread tax bills over time, avoiding immediate enforcement.
If you owe tax to HMRC, you may be able to set up an online ‘Time to Pay’ payment plan depending on the type of tax debt and your circumstances. For self-assessment, you can create a payment plan online if you’ve filed your latest tax
SMI loans can help pay mortgage interest for those on benefits, but repayment is due when the home is sold.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a government-backed loan provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to assist homeowners receiving certain benefits in covering the interest on their mortgage or home
Banks must now give 90 days’ notice before closing accounts, giving customers more time to respond.
Since April 2026, new government rules strengthen protections for individuals and small businesses at risk of unfair bank account closures. Under the legislation, banks and payment service providers are required to give at least 90 days’
Trustees must manage assets, follow tax rules, and register with HMRC where required.
A trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee, either an individual or a company, is entrusted with managing assets such as land, money, or shares on behalf of others. These assets, placed into the trust by a settlor, are managed for the benefit of
HMRC requires businesses to maintain accurate VAT records to ensure correct tax payments. While all businesses must retain general records (such as invoices, bank statements, and receipts), a key requirement under the Making Tax Digital for VAT initiative is keeping specific VAT records digitally.
Businesses must maintain digital records
Know the rules for contractors & subs under CIS to avoid issues with HMRC.
Under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), HMRC applies specific tax rules to contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry. Contractors are responsible for deducting tax from payments made to subcontractors and forwarding it to HMRC. These
A recent ruling has provided a timely reminder that substance trumps form in employment status disputes, and the mere insertion of a clause does not automatically change the employment status of workers. This case concerns an appeal by BCAL, a company that provides vehicle collection, inspection, delivery, and transportation services. The
With the next UK Budget approaching, there is speculation about changes to tax rates, allowances, and reliefs. Acting now can help secure current benefits before any new rules take effect.
Key areas to review:
Personal allowances - make sure you are using your Personal Allowance, savings allowance, dividend allowance, and Capital
For many small business owners, the focus is on day-to-day operations. However, building long-term value is just as important, whether your aim is to sell in the future, attract investors, or secure better financing.
Focus on profitability and cash flow
Strong profits are essential, but reliable cash flow is often more important to
The Bank of England has knocked the main interest rate down to 4% today, cutting it by a quarter‑point from 4.25%. It’s the fifth cut in a year and brings the rate to its lowest since March 2023.
The decision was a close call: the nine‑member Monetary Policy Committee split 5‑4, requiring an unusual second round of voting to reach
Fit and proper test fee to jump from £150 to £700 under HMRC’s proposed AML supervision changes
Many businesses are monitored by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or certain professional bodies for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) purposes. However, HMRC is responsible for supervising more than 36,000 businesses in 9 business sectors.
Properties needing repairs still count as homes and false claims to recover Stamp Duty Land Tax could mean big tax bills and penalties.
HMRC has issued a warning to homebuyers about rogue tax agents promoting false Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) repayment claims, especially those based on the condition of properties. Following a recent Court
Businesses can reclaim duties on qualifying goods moved to or through Northern Ireland since 2021
The Northern Ireland Duty Reimbursement Scheme allows businesses to reclaim import duties paid on goods moved into Northern Ireland, provided specific conditions are met. It applies retrospectively, covering eligible goods moved from 1
With the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB), families can pass on up to £1 million without IHT
The RNRB is an additional £175,000 Inheritance Tax (IHT) allowance that applies when a person’s main residence is passed to a direct descendant, such as a child or grandchild, after their death. The allowance is available to married couples and
If your property has changed or seems mis-banded, you may have the right to request a Council Tax review.
Properties in England and Wales are assigned Council Tax bands based on their value as of 1 April 1991 (England) or 1 April 2003 (Wales). If you believe your property is incorrectly banded, you may challenge this through the
HMRC’s new Q&A tool guides you through each step of a compliance check.
The free interactive online tool is designed to help individuals and businesses better understand what happens during a tax compliance check. Available on GOV.UK, the Interactive Compliance Guidance tool brings together key guidance and video content in one
For small businesses and growing companies alike, one of the most reliable sources of funding is often the profits they generate. While it can be tempting to extract earnings in the form of dividends, bonuses, or reinvestment elsewhere, there is a strong case for holding back a portion of those profits to strengthen the business’s
Many small business owners turn to family members when looking to fill roles in their team. It can seem like a natural choice, offering trust, loyalty, and a shared sense of purpose. However, employing family in your business is not without its challenges, and it is worth considering the potential pitfalls before making that
New digital services have been launched that aim to make filing and managing tax returns quicker and less stressful.
These improvements are part of HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap, which sets out over 50 projects to modernise the UK’s tax system by 2030.
Among the new features are:
improvements to the digital self-assessment
Items discovered lying on land or buried in the soil, such as antiques or historical objects, are treated as chattels for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes. This remains true even if ownership is tied to the ownership of the land where the item was found. Since these objects were not intended to be permanently affixed to the land, they are
Before probate begins, you must estimate the estate's value to see if Inheritance Tax applies. This includes valuing the deceased person's money, property and belongings in order to determine if Inheritance Tax (IHT) is due. This process is important even if you are not sure that any tax will be due.
There is usually no IHT to pay if the
Many business gifts and hospitality costs are not tax-deductible under current rules.
Entertainment expenses including providing hospitality and business gifts are common, but the taxation of these expenses is strictly governed by HMRC.
For businesses carrying on a trade, HMRC legislation generally prohibits tax deductions for client
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord earning over £50,000 you need to be prepared for digital record keeping including making quarterly updates and for a new penalty system.
You will need to use MTD for IT if all of the following
Shared home ownership offers a more accessible route to owning a home for those who cannot afford the full deposit or mortgage on a property that suits their needs. Under this scheme, buyers purchase a share of a property, typically between 10% and 75% of its market value and pay rent on the remaining portion to a housing provider.
The
Latest News
- Help with outstanding tax bills
14/08/2025 - More...
HMRC’s Time to Pay lets eligible taxpayers spread tax bills over time, avoiding immediate enforcement. If you owe tax
- What is Support for Mortgage Interest?
14/08/2025 - More...
SMI loans can help pay mortgage interest for those on benefits, but repayment is due when the home is sold. Support for
- Rules to protect effects of debanking
14/08/2025 - More...
Banks must now give 90 days’ notice before closing accounts, giving customers more time to respond. Since April 2026,
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