About a million people missed the HMRC self-assessment tax return deadline, and the knock-on costs can really add up. My blog post this week walks through why it happens, what HMRC fines can follow, and the smartest next step ...

Here's what a digital pound could look like and why it's being explored by the Bank of England. It wouldn't replace cash, and it certainly wouldn't be classed as crypto. The next couple of years are about design, testing and ...

Need time to help pay your tax bill? HMRC's Time to Pay arrangements can spread a Self-Assessment balance into manageable monthly payments. File early, set up a plan if eligible, and keep an eye out for scams ... ...

Here are some cybersecurity tips you can actually use day to day, without getting overwhelmed. Learn how to spot common scams, verify requests safely, and lock down accounts with better habits. Think of it as a calm, practica ...

Cashflow is getting tight for many small businesses, so dropping the green agenda is now a logical survival step. That's quite understandable. This blog post looks at why priorities are shifting and how firms can still move t ...

Wondering if HMRC can take money from your business bank account? They can, but only in limited cases, using the Direct Recovery of Debts process after repeated non-engagement, as long as key safeguards are in place. The opti ...

Scrapping directors' reports is the government's latest push to simplify annual reporting. More firms could qualify for a strategic reporting exemption, and group accounts may cover more subsidiaries. This means less duplicat ...

The Employment Rights Act will be implemented in phases across 2026 and 2027. My blog post guides you through the changes that occur and what to prepare for. It's a practical, conversational timeline for staying confident and ...

Here's the latest on Inheritance Tax reforms: the APR/BPR allowance is rising to £2.5m. That should narrow the impact to the biggest estates while keeping planning practical. Less cliff-edge, clearer options, and more time to ...

Business costs are rising, and bosses can feel it in wages and energy bills. However, the latest concessions on workers' rights could mitigate the impact and give firms more time to adapt. It's a pragmatic tweak that keeps pr ...

Key payroll changes for 2026 are mainly about higher wage floors, tighter thresholds and better forward planning. My blog post today walks through what shifts in PAYE, National Insurance, and compliance mean in practice. Cons ...

Here are my predictions for small businesses in 2026. I've been thinking about tax reporting changes, hiring incentives, cyber resilience, smarter AI use, sustainability data requests and new channels to market ... ...

Here's the lowdown on HMRC using AI to review social media in criminal tax probes. It's about more intelligent fraud detection with human oversight, not bots running wild. Taxpayers should receive clearer guidance and fewer e ...

AI speeds up data capture and checks, while accountants provide guardrails. Use both to prepare your tax return with fewer errors and less hassle. It's efficient, affordable, and grounded in human oversight ... ...

Not long to go now, and everyone at Essendon Accounts & Tax is looking forward to a well-deserved break over Christmas. We will be closing at 1pm on Wednesday the 24th of December 2025, returning at 8am on Tuesday the 5th ...

Mandatory payrolling of Benefit-in-Kind, originally slated to arrive in April 2026, has now been delayed until 2027. Employers will eventually shift tax and Class 1A NICs into payroll. Here's what changes, what's unclear, and ...

Wondering why duplicate firms are appearing on Companies House? Here's what's happening, why it matters, and how firms can stay ahead. It's practical, calm, and focused on action ... ...

Here's a quick take on Income Tax administration. New penalty rules, payment tweaks and MTD deferrals are coming. It's practical to plan now and avoid surprises ... ...

After the Chancellor's announcement in the Autumn Budget 2025, many high-value homeowners are asking what the latest property tax changes might mean for their finances, and the conversation is all about the so-called Mansion ...

Did the chancellor just save the economy? My blog post today takes a look at the 2025 Autumn Budget's tax changes, winners, losers and risks. It weighs public finances against growth, asking if stability trumps entrepreneursh ...

The Autumn Budget 2025 didn't exactly deliver fireworks, unless you count the quiet hiss of millions of savers and small shareholders realising their tax bills are about to get a little heavier. For years, investment income s ...

The economic backdrop for the Budget is not great. Growth in 2025 has slowed, public borrowing is up, debt-interest costs are high and rising, and there's a massive fiscal blackhole that only seems to be growing. This all mea ...

It seems like everyone is putting up their prices, and Companies House is no different. This starts from the 1st of February 2026. The cost of key filings goes up, but I think the added value and protections are worth it ... ...

The Chancellor is set to announce the Autumn Budget 2025 next week. What do I feel she needs to announce to make it a credible plan for businesses to see? It should certainly protect investment and avoid blunt tax hikes ... ...

With the state of the economy, everyone is feeling it. That's why our teams must work efficiently and not stress about their lives. Here's how employers can improve work-life balance for their employees with pragmatic, low‑fr ...

What are the company car taxable benefits for 2025/26? Well, with CO2 bands, list price rules, and future rate rises, this is a clear, upbeat take on HMRC changes. Use it to plan your company cars and electric vehicles with c ...

I'm uneasy after Reeves' pre-budget speech because tax rises are definitely on the agenda now. So what might change - from Income Tax to frozen thresholds - and why? If you've a payslip or a mortgage, or even just a weekly fo ...

Here's why you should check simple assessments and how to do it with confidence. Spot errors, fix them fast, and avoid overpaying. You'll know when to contact HMRC and what to do next ... ...

The Autumn Budget 2025 could rebalance taxes without denting pay packets. If the Chancellor implements sensible reforms, they could raise revenue, boost growth and increase overall business confidence. It's a pragmatic path t ...

Curious about the HMRC R&D tax relief tool? Here's how it clarifies eligibility, reduces risk, and supports better claims. It's a pragmatic boost for research and development ... ...

Here's a clear path to sustainable economic growth: stable rules, simpler taxes, and targeted investment. It shows how government policy can unlock business growth. It's optimistic, practical, and focused on outcomes ... ...

Wondering if you need to file a self-assessment tax return for 2024/25? Here's what's changed, who must file, and when to act. Stay ahead, avoid penalties, and keep things simple ... ...