Many small business owners are already feeling the effects of rising staffing costs, tighter recruitment conditions and increased administration. Recent employment law changes are now adding further pressure, particularly for employers that do not have dedicated HR support. A number of the changes introduced during 2026 affect day to day
More...Cyber security is no longer a concern limited to large corporations. Increasingly, smaller businesses are finding themselves targeted by phishing attacks, payment frauds and ransomware incidents, many of which are becoming more sophisticated through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent reports suggest that cyber criminals are
More...1 June 2026 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 31 August 2025. 19 June 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 June 2026. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 June 2026). 19 June 2026 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 June 2026. 19 June 2026 - CIS
More...Many taxpayers are surprised to learn that once their income exceeds £100,000, they can face an effective tax rate of 60%, although officially, no such rate appears to exist. This happens when the personal allowance (currently £12,570) is gradually withdrawn once adjusted net income goes above £100,000. Under the tax rules, if a
More...Dividends are taxed differently from other types of income, with separate allowances and tax rates that depend on your overall level of income. You do not pay tax on dividends that fall within your Personal Allowance (2026-27: £12,570), and there is also a separate tax-free dividend allowance of £500 each year. Any dividend income above
More...How capital gains are linked with Income Tax is important to understand as your overall income position affects the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate you pay. CGT interacts directly with your Income Tax band. Your taxable income is first calculated after deducting your Personal Allowance and any Income Tax reliefs. Your chargeable capital
More...National Insurance contributions that relate to employee benefits are known as Class 1A National Insurance contributions. Employers must pay these National Insurance contributions on most work-related benefits provided to employees, such as a company mobile phone or other non-cash perks. Class 1A National Insurance also applies to
More...Most self-employed people are required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs). Class 4 NICs are payable if their profits are £12,570 or more a year. Class 4 NIC rates are currently 6% for chargeable profits between £12,570 and £50,270 plus 2% on any profits over £50,270. A number of categories of people are exempt from
More...The Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. Your Personal Allowance is the amount you can earn before paying Income Tax (£12,570 for the 2026-27 tax year). This transfer can reduce your partner’s tax by up to £252 in the tax year subject to the conditions outlined
More...A pivotal ruling has raised a protective umbrella over those impacted by a toxic workplace environment, potentially extending employers' legal liability by months or even years. An Employment Tribunal had to decide whether the employers of a harassed employee, who was actively considering a change of employment, could use this intention
More...There has been considerable discussion over the past year about whether small companies would be required to file profit and loss accounts at Companies House. Many practitioners will be aware that proposals were introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 which signalled a move towards greater transparency in
More...Returning to the UK after a period abroad can feel straightforward on the surface, but there are a number of practical and personal matters that need careful thought to ensure a smooth transition. Housing and accommodation One of the first issues to address is where you will live. If you have sold or rented out your previous home, you
More...Changes announced in the Autumn Budget have removed the use of a niche VAT scheme known as the Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS) for private hire vehicle operators from January 2026. TOMS was originally designed for tour operators selling travel packages. However, some large ride-hailing firms had used it to reduce their VAT liability
More...Bonuses are treated as taxable earnings, so both employers and employees need to understand how they are taxed and reported. For cash bonuses (including vouchers that can be exchanged for cash), the rules are straightforward. The payment is added to an employee’s normal salary and taxed through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE). This means
More...If your taxable income for the 2026-27 tax year is less than £17,570, you will not pay any tax on the interest you receive. This figure combines the £5,000 starting rate for savings (taxed at 0%) with the £12,570 personal allowance. In addition, the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) provides further tax-free savings interest: basic-rate
More...If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership, you may be able to claim tax relief when your business makes a loss. There are several ways trading losses can be used, but each loss can only be used once and specific conditions apply. For the 2025-26 tax year, losses can be set against your total income for the same year and/or
More...If you continue working after reaching State Pension age, your National Insurance position changes, but your Income Tax obligations largely remain the same. Once you reach State Pension age, you stop paying employee National Insurance contributions (Class 1) on your earnings. However, your employer must continue to pay employer
More...Transfers of assets between spouses or civil partners are usually free from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). When you give or sell an asset to your spouse or civil partner, it is treated as a disposal for CGT purposes, but on a ‘no gain, no loss’ basis. This means no immediate tax is due, and the receiving spouse effectively takes over the
More...