Winter Fuel and Cost of Living payments

A raft of money changes comes into play this month which could affect your finances, and as we are approaching the winter season – dark nights and lower temperatures – these support payments to help with energy costs will be gratefully received. These include adjustments to the Ofgem energy price caps, while the latest Cost […]

Change to Company Accounts filing

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill has completed its initial journey through the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is now at the stage known as, consideration of amendments. This is where the second House’s amendments are considered, and the Bill may go back and forth until both Houses agree on […]

Tax on trivial benefits

There is a benefit-in-kind (BiK) trivial exemption that applies to small non-cash benefits like a bottle of wine, or a bouquet of flowers given occasionally to employees, or any other BiK classed as ‘trivial’ that falls within the exemption. By taking advantage of the exemption employers can simplify the treatment of BiKs whilst at the […]

Checking your National Insurance record

HMRC offers an online service to check your National Insurance Contributions (NIC) record online. In order to use the service, you will need to have a Government Gateway account. If you don’t have an account, you can apply to set one up online. By signing in to the ‘Check your National Insurance record’ service you […]

Autumn Statement 2023

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that he will deliver his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday, 22 November 2023. This move would imply that the annual Budget will not take place until the spring of 2024. The Autumn Statement is used to give an update on the state of the economy […]

Tax Diary October/November 2023

1 October 2023 – Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 December 2022. 19 October 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 October 2023. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 October 2023.) 19 October 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly […]

Tips to minimise the tax burden on earnings

The UK paid a whopping £788.8 billion in taxes in 2022 to 2023, an increase of 10.2 per cent from the year before. As well as income tax, that figure also includes inheritance tax, dividend tax and capital gains tax. No-one wants to pay more tax than necessary. But with busy lives and hectic schedules, […]

Small companies required to file profit and loss when new Bill becomes law

Businesses need to be prepared for changes to the way Companies House operates when the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill comes into force. As part of the package of reform, all small companies, including micro-entities, will be required to file their profit and loss accounts. The Government expects the changes to “improve transparency” and […]

Companies House fees expected to rise to fund new powers

Companies House is expected to charge higher fees when it is granted new powers. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Bill is already making its way through Parliament. This legislation will change the role and purpose of Companies House to make it a more active gatekeeper over company creation. This would include new powers […]

Retirees set for second bumper State Pension hike as pay inflation soars

State Pensions are expected to rise by 8.5 per cent in April 2024 in line with rocketing wage growth. The Triple Lock policy means the increase in the State Pension is set at the highest of average earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent. The latest statistics from the ONS recorded growth of average earnings – […]