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If you are buying a property that needs work, HMRC has just issued a major heads up, following a recent Court of Appeal ruling in the Mudan & Anor case against HMRC. Basically, even if a home is in bits, as long as it is still fundamentally a dwelling, maybe it needs a new boiler, […]

The UK government has just announced a pragmatic pause on its planned extra border checks for live animal imports from the EU, as well as certain animal and plant goods arriving from Ireland, while negotiations continue on a full Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU. This move is all about easing trade friction. […]

Many business owners keep problems to themselves. You may not want to cause concern, appear as if you have lost control, or damage confidence. Yet, the longer an issue remains unspoken, the more likely it is to grow into something more difficult and costly to resolve. When owners share challenges early, the speed and quality […]

Late payments are one of the most persistent problems facing small businesses in the UK. They damage cash flow, disrupt planning, and in some cases, force otherwise viable companies to close their doors. The government has now announced what it describes as the toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation, with new rules and […]

Companies House has confirmed a major change that affects every UK company director and person with significant control (PSC). From 18 November 2025, it will be a legal requirement to verify your identity before you can file your company’s confirmation statement. This is part of wider reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act […]

A new analysis from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has put fresh pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the upcoming autumn Budget. NIESR is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected independent economic think tanks, established in 1938. Known for its impartial and evidence-based work, it frequently advises government […]

If your Self-Assessment required payments on account, the second instalment fell due on 31 July 2025. If it was not paid, HMRC charges late payment interest from 1 August until the amount is cleared. A late payment penalty can also arise if the tax remains unpaid 30 days after the deadline, with further penalties at […]

It was confirmed with the publication of the draft Finance Bill 2025-26 that measures first announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 to bring most unused pension funds and death benefits into the scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT) will start from 6 April 2027. This will significantly extend the IHT net, capturing pensions that were previously […]

Despite intense lobbying by the farming community, the proposed reduction in IHT Business and Agricultural Property reliefs are included in the draft Finance Bill 2025-26. On 21 July 2025, the government published draft legislation for Finance Bill 2025-26. The consultation period for the draft legislation is open until 15 September 2025. This comes at a […]

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord earning over £50,000 you need to start preparing to submit quarterly updates, keeping digital records and a new penalty system will apply. Initially, MTD for IT will apply to businesses, self-employed individuals, and landlords […]