News

HMRC sending 1.8m Simple Assessment letters

24/09/2026

Some taxpayers have already started to receive Simple Assessment letters from HMRC for the 2025-26 tax year, with a further tranche due to be sent between October and December 2026. Simple Assessment is used where HMRC cannot collect income tax through PAYE or self-assessment. The PA302 letter sets out HMRC’s calculation of the tax due,

More...

Could your area introduce a tourist tax?

24/09/2026

Mayors and local leaders in England are to be given powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy, creating a new charge for people staying in short-term visitor accommodation. The government announced the plans on 10 September 2026 following a consultation which closed on 18 February 2026. The levy will be optional, with mayors and

More...

Check your State Pension forecast now

24/09/2026

A new press release from HMRC is highlighting the fact that almost 7 million UK adults could be heading towards retirement without knowing how much State Pension they may be entitled to. New research has found that around one in eight adults (12.5%) have never checked their State Pension forecast. Those aged 45 to 54 are more likely

More...

HMRC contacting trusts over tax return errors

24/09/2026

HMRC is contacting some trustees after identifying possible errors in recent Trust and Estate tax returns relating to the type of trust being reported. The latest HMRC compliance campaign focuses on trusts where box 8.15 of the Trust and Estate Tax Return was ticked to indicate that the trust is not an accumulation or discretionary

More...

UK carbon border tax starts January 2027

24/09/2026

Businesses importing certain carbon-intensive goods into the UK will face a new carbon tax from 1 January 2027, when the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) comes into effect. CBAM will apply to specified goods imported from outside the UK in the aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel sectors. The tax is

More...

Benefit payrolling rules clarified for overseas employees

24/09/2026

HMRC has clarified how employers can handle benefits in kind for globally mobile employees as mandatory payrolling is introduced from April 2027. Under the new rules, most benefits in kind will have to be reported through payroll rather than on annual P11D forms. The first phase, starting on 6 April 2027, covers company cars, vans, fuel

More...

Interest rates may not be coming down soon

22/09/2026

Businesses waiting for cheaper borrowing may need to reconsider their plans. The Bank of England kept Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% in September, but three members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted for an immediate increase to 4%. The concern is inflation. UK inflation has moved above the Bank’s 2% target and higher energy costs are

More...

Is your business ready for a cyber incident?

22/09/2026

Cyber security is sometimes treated as a problem for large organisations with specialist IT departments. In reality, smaller businesses can be particularly vulnerable because they often have fewer resources available to detect an attack and recover afterwards. The Government continues to strengthen its approach to cyber resilience,

More...

New self-assessment registration service launched

17/09/2026

HMRC has launched an improved online service to make it easier for individuals to register for self-assessment. Anyone who needs to submit a tax return for the first time for the 2025-26 tax year should notify HMRC by 5 October 2026 to avoid a potential penalty. The new service is available through a Personal Tax Account and includes

More...

HMRC targets persistent tax debts

17/09/2026

HMRC is reviewing proposals to introduce new powers for recovering lower-value, persistent tax debts from individuals and businesses that repeatedly fail to engage with collection efforts. The proposals, set out in a public consultation earlier this year, would allow HMRC to recover debts through affordable monthly instalments taken

More...

New duty on vaping products starts in October

17/09/2026

Businesses in the vaping sector are reminded that the new Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme will take effect from 1 October 2026. HMRC is urging manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers to make sure they are ready for the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty and the associated Vaping Duty Stamps

More...

Tax rules for cryptoassets set to change

17/09/2026

The tax treatment of some crypto assets is set to change under draft legislation for Finance Bill 2026-27. The proposed changes include new rules for qualifying stablecoins, crypto asset loans and liquidity pools. Eligible stablecoins are expected to be treated more like money for Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Income Tax and Corporation Tax

More...

Winter Fuel Payment opt-out deadline approaches

17/09/2026

Pensioners who do not want to receive the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026-27 have until September to opt out. The payment will be recovered through the tax system from those whose total income exceeds £35,000. In England and Wales, pensioners who receive a State Pension can opt out through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

More...

Money and property after divorce

17/09/2026

When a couple divorces or separates, they need to agree how their finances will be divided. This can include property, pensions, savings, investments and maintenance payments. Where possible, reaching an agreement without going to court can be quicker and less expensive. In England and Wales, however, an agreed division of assets will

More...

Training clawbacks can constitute an unlawful restraint of trade

16/09/2026

Seeking to claw back training costs from wages is common practice. However, a recent ruling has set clearer boundaries as to how this can become an unenforceable restraint of trade. An appellant joined an IT services provider as a trainee quality assurance engineer and entered into an employment contract alongside a separate

More...

Could simpler reporting reduce business paperwork?

14/09/2026

The Government has announced plans to simplify corporate reporting and reduce the administrative burden placed on UK businesses. It estimates that the proposed reforms could save businesses more than £450 million each year. The measures are expected to include replacing some paper-based reporting with digital alternatives, simplifying

More...

New funding opens for growing businesses

14/09/2026

The British Business Bank has launched a £210 million investment fund to help smaller businesses in the South East of England start, develop and grow. The South East Investment Fund will offer loans ranging from £25,000 to £2 million, together with equity investments of up to £5 million. The area covered includes Buckinghamshire,

More...

Tax diary: October and November 2026

11/09/2026

1 October 2026 - Corporation Tax payment is due for companies with an accounting period ending 31 December 2025, unless the company is required to make quarterly instalment payments. 5 October 2026 - Deadline for notifying HMRC of a new liability to Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax for the 2025-26 tax year. This may include registering

More...
×

TOP