The link between planning and progress
Most business owners know that progress matters, but many still hesitate when it comes to planning. It can feel like an extra task or something that only large companies need to worry about. Yet, in practice, steady planning is one of the simplest ways to create real progress in any small or medium sized business. […]
MTD – qualifying income
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord and have over £50,000 in qualifying income you need to start preparing to submit quarterly updates, keeping digital records and cope with a new penalty system. Your qualifying income is the […]
Early termination of probation can constitute wrongful dismissal
The claimant began employment as a Contracts Coordinator on 23 January 2023, subject to a contractual 6-month probationary period, one which required 5 weeks’ notice for termination. The contract included a garden leave clause, but no clause permitting Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON). Disputes soon arose over his work patterns and behaviour, and by […]
Increase in the London congestion charge from January 2026
The daily charge for driving within the London Congestion Charge zone will rise from £15 to £18 from 2 January 2026. This is the first increase in several years and forms part of Transport for London’s wider plan to manage traffic levels, improve air quality and support sustainable travel across the capital. Transport for London […]
Enforcement of the minimum wage
The Department for Business & Trade has recently published a report that outlines the government’s enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) for the 2024–25 financial year. The Government is committed to ensuring that all workers receive the minimum wage to which they are entitled, and HMRC enforces this on […]
Directors liability for company debts
A limited company is a separate legal entity. In normal circumstances, its debts belong to the company, not to the directors. This is one of the central advantages of incorporation. However, the protection is not absolute. Directors have duties in law, and if those duties are not met, there are situations where personal liability can […]
Tax Diary December 2025/January 2026
1 December 2025 – Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 28 February 2025. 19 December 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 December 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 December 2025). 19 December 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly […]
Tell HMRC about unpaid tax on cryptoassets
Where cryptoasset tokens (also known as cryptocurrency) are held personally, this investment is usually undertaken in the hope of making a capital appreciation in its value or to make particular purchases. HMRC is clear that these holdings will usually be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if there is a gain when disposing of these assets by: […]
Tread carefully when using temporary contracts to confer tax breaks
A recent ruling has established that temporary worker arrangements do not constitute a single, continuous employment relationship in which workers retain the unfettered right to refuse assignments. This effectively confirms the prerequisite for a mutuality of obligation when accruing tax breaks. Mainpay engaged temporary workers in the service sector, contending that its employment relationship constituted […]
Why ID verification is supposedly good for business
Last week, we covered the new requirement for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identities from 18 November 2025. This process will be rolled out over 12 months, with Companies House reaching out directly to companies, providing guidance on what actions need to be taken and the deadlines for each step. […]
