HMRC contacts self-employed people about National Insurance gaps
What should you do if you receive a letter? HMRC is writing to some self-employed individuals whose National Insurance (NI) records may contain gaps that could affect their State Pension. If you receive a letter, don’t ignore it. In some cases, you may be able to boost your State Pension by making voluntary NI […]
HMRC targets Electronic Sales Suppression
Proposed new software standards likely to make tax audits easier The government is consulting on potential measures that target Electronic Sales Suppression (ESS). Proposals include the introduction of new software standards for Point of Sale systems. In recent years, ESS has been the subject of government reports, consultations and new legislation, yet it remains a […]
External examiners mark HMRC’s performance as ‘Poor’
Report sheds light on challenges facing HMRC and the impact on taxpayers The latest annual report from the Charter Stakeholder Group remains highly critical of HMRC’s service performance, with scores either stagnant or deteriorating across most standards. Alongside poor scores for responsiveness and ease of use, the report highlights overwhelmingly negative feedback on Making Tax […]
Andy Burnham’s new government, a balancing act
VAT reduction, cap on public transport and business rates cut announced Andy Burnham’s first days as Prime Minister have been marked by a flurry of announcements designed to show that his government intends to move quickly. Presenting himself as a leader focused on easing pressure on households and rebuilding trust in politics, Burnham has begun […]
Upcoming deadlines for SME reporting to HMRC
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 […]
Companies House to bring in changes to accounts filing from April 2028
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 […]
AI providing misleading advice on VAT return filing
No extension to statutory due dates when they fall on weekends or bank holidays Incorrect advice provided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other websites is contributing to a growing trend of late VAT return filing and payment. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are reminding VAT-registered businesses that there is no extension to the statutory due […]
Are You Ready for E-Invoicing?
Policy in development HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recently released a research paper on how small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) view electronic invoicing, also called e-invoicing. In the Autumn Budget 2025, plans were announced to make e-invoicing mandatory for VAT invoices from 2029. In preparation for this change, the research paper was designed to help […]
Draft CBAM Rules Published
What administrative demands will CBAM bring? The government has published the draft secondary legislation for the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is due to go live on 1 January 2027. This is an important development for UK businesses importing affected materials. What is CBAM? CBAM has already been introduced in the EU and […]
Salary Sacrifice: Good for Employers and Employees
What are the advantages for your business? With costs rising, many employers and employees are looking for practical ways to reduce outgoings without cutting benefits. Salary sacrifice can be an excellent tool to do this, but many businesses overlook it. In short, salary sacrifice lets an employee give up part of their gross salary in […]