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Family businesses most exposed to 2026 IHT reforms

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In the October 2024 Budget, the Government confirmed reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT) that will take effect from April 2026. The changes will restrict the availability of Business Property Relief (BPR), which helps reduce the tax liabilities of family-owned businesses. The new £1 million BPR cap BPR currently gives up to 100 per cent relief […]

Specialist Tax News

Making Tax Digital: advice for digitally excluded taxpayers

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HMRC has published long-awaited guidance on how digitally excluded individuals should apply for an exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. Gaining HMRC’s agreement that a person is digitally excluded is essential. WHAT DOES ‘DIGITALLY EXCLUDED’ MEAN? The MTD legislation defines digitally excluded individuals as those who are unable to use electronic communications […]

Specialist Tax News

VAT: when is a biscuit ‘chocolate covered’?

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In a recent First Tier Tribunal (FTT) case, Ferrero Ltd v HMRC, the FTT found that Nutella Biscuits are zero-rated for VAT. VAT legislation provides that biscuits are zero-rated unless they are wholly or partly covered in chocolate or a substance that is similar to chocolate. HMRC argued that the Nutella Biscuits should be standard-rated […]

Specialist Tax News

Partial win for taxpayer in SDLT/ATED relief case

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In a recent Upper Tribunal (UT) case, Investment and Securities Trust Limited v HMRC, the UT found that a company was entitled to Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) relief as it held an option over a property exclusively for the purpose of developing and reselling that property, in the course of its property development trade. […]

Specialist Tax News

Diary of main tax events November / December 2025

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Date What’s Due 1 November Corporation Tax for year to 31/01/2025, unless quarterly instalments apply 19 November PAYE & NIC deductions, and CIS return and tax, for month to 05/11/2025 (due 22/11 if you pay electronically) 1 December Corporation Tax for year to 28/02/2025, unless quarterly instalments apply 19 December PAYE & NIC deductions, and […]