Straight from the horse’s mouth

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

28th February 2025
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax changes the way that self-employed individuals and landlords report their earnings to HMRC. If you are wondering how this might affect you and your business, Associate Kenneth Logan brings you the story so far along with a guide to the new rules. Making Tax Digital – what has happened...

New company – when can you start to pay yourself a salary?

20th February 2025
You have set up a new company but need to find premises before trading can begin. But can you take a salary from the business in the meantime?  Naomi Swan advises below. As you’re probably aware, in most circumstances dividends are the most tax and NI-efficient way to take income from a company. The trouble...

Tax and building a workspace at home

11th February 2025
Susan is a self-employed childminder. She is planning to have an extension built on her home, in which she’ll run her childminding business. Susan would like to know if she is entitled to a tax deduction for any of the construction costs. Partner and Tax Specialist, Christiaan Hansen, looks at the implications below. Homeworking Tax...

Reporting Airbnb income to HMRC

30th January 2025
Digital platforms such as Airbnb can be used to earn income from property in a variety of ways, ranging from the occasional let of a spare room to short-term lets of a holiday home all year round. In this article, Kirsten Hancock explains how income from letting accommodation short term through Airbnb and similar platforms...

Popular tax-free benefits

28th January 2025
Partner Joanne Gibson’s article highlights ten popular benefits-in-kind which can be made available to employees free of tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs), and without any employer NICs charge either. Mobile phones An employer can provide an employee with a mobile phone which can be used privately without an associated tax charge arising. But this...

Hobby or Business?

11th December 2024
If you receive money or gifts in connection with your hobby, do you always have to declare them to HMRC and pay tax on them? Partner Christiaan Hansen discusses the tax implications and responsibilities. If you undertake a hobby in your spare time which generates income and you are lucky enough to get paid in...

Tighter rules for company loans

9th December 2024
The recent Autumn Budget announced a new rule affecting loans and other advances made by companies to their shareholders. If you owe your company money, is this something you should be concerned about? Partner Christiaan Hansen discusses the implications. If you are an owner manager of a close company (this is a company which is...

Proof of employment expenses are now required

5th December 2024
HMRC now insists on evidence of employee expenses claimed through PAYE. But what records do employees need to keep? Pamela Singh from our Payroll Department takes a closer look. Due to numerous incorrect claims, it is now necessary to submit evidence to HMRC to claim tax relief on certain employment expenses that are reimbursed by...
Inheritance tax farmers

An important message about Inheritance Tax

13th November 2024
The Autumn Budget has certainly triggered a lot of questions and concerns from our clients. Particularly from farmers whose estates may now be subject to Inheritance Tax when they die, whereas previously there were good tax reliefs to protect their estates. If you are a farmer and are concerned about how this might affect you...
Double cab pickups to be classified as cars

Double cab pick-ups – Important News

12th November 2024
In this article, Partner Andrew Wayness brings important news of changing tax treatment for double cab pick-ups, outlining the considerable implications for both employers and employees. In February 2024, HMRC announced that double cab pick-up trucks would be treated as cars for tax purposes, and then swiftly did a U-turn on this decision following industry...