HMRC to End Most Postal Letters from Spring 2026
By Jennie Brown, Tax Partner HMRC has confirmed that from spring 2026, it will begin phasing out traditional postal letters in favour of a digital by default communication model. Taxpayers who use the HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account will stop receiving paper letters automatically and will instead receive email notifications when new correspondence […]
Changes to Agricultural Property Relief from April 2026
By Clare Slattery, Tax Director The government has announced significant reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), which will take effect from 6 April 2026. These changes are designed to balance continued support for farms and businesses with the government’s aim of improving public finances and funding public services. Under the […]
What factors affect a person’s credit rating?
A person’s credit rating (often referred to as a credit score) is a measure used by lenders to assess how reliably someone manages borrowing and financial commitments. It can affect whether credit is offered at all, the interest rate charged and even the size of deposit required for certain
What is the advance tax certainty service?
If your business is planning a major UK investment, HMRC’s new advance tax certainty service could give you binding clarity on the tax position before you commit.
HMRC has recently published draft guidance on the new advance tax certainty service as part of the government’s Corporate Tax Roadmap at
Pre-tax year end planning
Pre-tax year end planning is one of the most practical and controllable ways for UK businesses and higher rate taxpayers to reduce unnecessary tax exposure. Unlike long term restructuring, it focuses on decisions that can still be influenced before 5 April or, for companies, before the accounting
Saving to pay tax
For many individuals and business owners, paying tax is one of the largest regular financial commitments they face. Yet tax bills often arrive as a shock, not because the amounts are unexpected, but because the funds have not been set aside in advance. Developing a disciplined approach to saving for
Bank of England delivers narrow vote rate cut
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last met on 18 December and, in a narrow 5-4 vote, decided to reduce the interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 3.75%. All four dissenting members voted to keep the rate at 4%. This marks the sixth interest rate reduction since
Festive Reminders: Tax Rules on Christmas Gifting and Benefits in Kind
By James Gibson, Director As the festive season approaches, many directors look for ways to thank their teams, or even treat themselves, with gifts and celebrations. While generosity is encouraged, it’s important to keep HMRC rules in mind to avoid unexpected tax charges. Here’s what you need to know: Tax Allowances and Trivial Benefits for […]
Implications of The Autumn Budget 2025 – changes for SMEs
The recent Autumn Budget delivered stability for businesses but introduced several measures that will impact SME owners, employers, and individuals. While markets welcomed the lack of major surprises, the changes signal higher personal taxes, increased labour costs, and reduced generosity in long-term tax reliefs. This is a summary of the key implications for SMEs and […]
2026 Business Predictions: Paul Tutin, Chairman and Managing Partner
Key Challenges and Smart Moves for UK Firms in 2026 As we approach 2026, I am reminded of the many regulatory, economic and political cycles I have seen over the years and how profoundly they can shape business performance. Each period of change brings new pressures, but experience has shown me that those businesses which […]