Reforms to affect micro entity and small company accounts Companies House will introduce changes to accounts filing due to governmental reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023). The changes will now come into effect from April 2028, rather than April 2027, to give companies more time to prepare. The […]

Many benefits will not be mandated until April 2028 Mandatory payrolling for Benefits In Kind was originally expected to start in April 2027, but following industry pressure, it will now be introduced in two phases. Phase 1 will continue to be rolled out from 6 April 2027, with Phase 2 starting a year later on […]

Emma Sleep taken to court for failing to address CMA concerns A High Court order has confirmed that Emma Sleep, a mattress seller, behaved illegally and broke consumer law by using misleading countdown timers, false ‘high demand’ messages and ‘discount claims’. Concerns were raised about Emma Sleep in 2022 over behaviour that misled shoppers and […]

Guidelines from ACAS on NDAs Employers may worry about the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) following a series of press stories that have highlighted the abuse of the system. The agreement does have a place for businesses, according to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). Companies can ask employees to sign an NDA as […]

See how a business plan can help your business grow You have the idea, the energy, and maybe even your first customers. So why slow down to write a business plan? It can seem like something banks ask for, but not something that really helps you run your business. However, for small and growing businesses, […]

Dates for your diary PAYE Settlement Agreement The deadline for applying for a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) or making any amendments to an existing PSA is 5 July following the first tax year to which it applies. PSAs are an agreement between an employer and HMRC. For example, for the tax year 2025-26, you will […]

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 […]