On 21 May 2026, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, announced ‘Great British Summer Savings’, a package of measures aimed at cutting costs for families, particularly those with children. The following two measures are of particular importance to businesses: TAX-FREE MILEAGE RATES A 10p per mile increase in tax‑free mileage rates will apply in the 2026/27 […]

For taxpayers required to submit a self assessment tax return, new boxes on the 2025/26 employment page form will require the following information for each directorship held by an individual: If the company was a close company; The company’s name and registration number; Dividends the taxpayer received from the close company during the tax year; […]

NEW R&D TARGETED ADVANCE ASSURANCE SCHEME HMRC have introduced a targeted advance assurance service for Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claims. The service, which is a pilot, aims to provide Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with clarity on complex or high-risk areas before a claim is made. The new targeted scheme is open to […]

In Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) v HMRC, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) concluded that football referees engaged by PGMOL were not employees for tax purposes. The decision followed a long procedural history, including appeals up to the Supreme Court, and focused on the correct application of employment status principles. PGMOL provides referees for professional […]

Date What’s Due 1 June Corporation Tax for year to 31/08/2025, unless quarterly instalments apply 19 June PAYE & NIC deductions, and CIS return and tax, for month to 05/06/2026 (due 22 June if you pay electronically) 1 July Corporation Tax for year to 30/09/2025, unless quarterly instalments apply 19 July PAYE & NIC deductions, […]

When a close company makes a loan to a participator (in most cases, this means a company’s shareholder), and it is not repaid in the same accounting period, a corporation tax charge can arise. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘Section 455’ or ‘s.455’ charge. For loans advanced on or after 6 April 2026, […]

In 2025, the Court of Appeal sent the case of Innovative Bites Ltd v HMRC to the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), telling them to determine whether ‘Mega Marshmallows’ are a “sweetened prepared food which is normally eaten with the fingers”. The VAT legislation zero‑rates food, but this excludes “confectionery”. Confectionery is defined as “any item of […]

In Orsted West of Duddon Sands (UK) Limited & Ors v HMRC, the Supreme Court considered whether major pre‑construction costs could qualify for tax relief as capital allowances. The case arose from offshore wind projects where the companies spent significant amounts on environmental surveys, seabed studies and technical investigations before any turbines were built. The […]

As outlined in Autumn Budget 2025, several changes took place on 6 April that may affect those who use the Construction Industry Scheme. From April 2026, contractors are required by law to either: file a CIS return every month, including nil returns in months where they have not used a subcontractor; or inform HMRC in advance that […]

When buying property in England, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) often represents a significant cost. One crucial distinction is whether a property is treated as purely residential or mixed‑use. Mixed‑use property includes both residential and non‑residential elements, such as a house with farmland, commercial buildings, or genuinely non‑residential land, and it is taxed at lower […]