The Chancellor has set out a package of measures aimed at reducing cost of living pressures for households and at the same time strengthening the UK’s longer-term economic resilience. The announcement focuses on tackling rising prices, improving energy security and ensuring markets work fairly for consumers.A key element is the
More...The tax rate for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) will increase to 18% (from 14%) on 6 April 2026. BADR offers a reduced Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate on qualifying disposals such as the sale of a business, shares in a trading company or an individual’s stake in a trading partnership.These rate increases are accompanied by new
More...The rate of Corporation Tax payable depends on the level of a company’s taxable profits. The main rate is 25% and applies where profits exceed £250,000. At the other end of the scale, companies with profits of £50,000 or less benefit from the Small Profits Rate, which remains at 19%.For businesses with profits between these thresholds,
More...There are a variety of services available to assist UK exporters that can be found at https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/ There you can find a range of government-backed tools and support to help businesses begin or expand their export activity. The GOV.UK platform brings together guidance, training and financial support in one
More...While there are many state benefits available, it is not always clear which of these are taxable and which are tax-free.HMRC’s guidance outlines the following list of the most common state benefits which are taxable, subject to the usual limits:Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension)Carer’s Allowance or (in Scotland only) Carer
More...It is important to understand both when VAT registration is required and the ongoing obligations that follow. The VAT registration threshold is currently £90,000 of taxable turnover, although businesses below this level can choose to register voluntarily.Once VAT registered you must ensure you meet your required responsibilities.
More...Stock turnover management is one of the most important drivers of business profitability, cash flow strength and resilience during periods of rising costs. Stock represents cash that has been converted into goods, and if those goods are not sold promptly the business can experience avoidable financial pressure.Slow moving stock ties up
More...Many businesses have spare capacity that could generate additional income with relatively little additional cost. Spare capacity may arise where premises, staff time, equipment or intellectual property are not fully utilised throughout the working week or year. Identifying and using this capacity can improve profitability without
More...The VAT treatment of car leasing is an important consideration for businesses that incurs VAT on these costs. In general, leasing companies are able to recover the VAT incurred on the purchase of cars, provided the vehicles are leased out at a commercial rate. For businesses leasing a car, however, the position is more restrictive. Where
More...If you have not yet checked whether you need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, now is the time to urgently see if you are affected. The Income Tax reporting requirements for some self-employed individuals and landlords will change significantly from 6 April 2026. MTD for Income Tax changes the traditional annual
More...The Marriage Allowance applies to married couples and civil partners where one partner does not pay Income Tax, usually because their income is below the personal allowance. For the 2025–26 tax year, this means the lower-earning partner must earn less than £12,570. The figures remain the same for the upcoming 2026-27 tax year.The
More...Rolling over capital gains can be an effective way for business owners to defer Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when selling or disposing of certain business assets. This is done using Business Asset Rollover Relief which allows taxpayers to postpone the tax on gains if all or part of the proceeds are reinvested in new business assets.
More...The 7-year gift rule is still an available option for those making lifetime gifts, offering a way to potentially reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability. Most gifts made during a person’s lifetime are not immediately subject to tax. These transfers, known as 'potentially exempt transfers' (PETs), become fully exempt if the donor survives
More...When a new employee joins your payroll, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of their rights and that the correct tax is deducted from their salary. This responsibility also applies when employing young people in your business.You can employ young people from the age of 13, but special rules govern how long they
More...Tensions in the Middle East have increased concerns about potential disruption to global oil supplies. Even where physical shortages do not arise, uncertainty can still push up fuel prices and increase operating costs for UK businesses. Planning ahead can help reduce exposure to rising costs and protect margins. Simple changes can reduce
More...Cash flow remains one of the most significant challenges facing small businesses in the UK. Even profitable businesses can encounter difficulties if income is received later than expected or costs increase unexpectedly. The timing of cash movements is often more critical than overall profitability, particularly where businesses operate
More...A Companies House blunder has raised concerns after a flaw in the WebFiling service briefly exposed sensitive company data. The issue, identified on 13 March 2026, meant that a logged-in user could potentially access and amend limited details of another company by carrying out a specific sequence of actions. Companies House has stated
More...If you are concerned by the continuing pressures on your take-home pay and need some certainty on your Income Tax liability, the HMRC calculator available at https://www.gov.uk/estimate-income-tax can be helpful. Alternatively, if you believe you may have overpaid tax, reviewing your position could help you claim a refund. The 'Estimate
More...Following the deadline for submission of self-assessment tax returns for the 2024-25 tax year, it is a useful time to revisit the rules on how long you should keep your tax records. There are no strict requirements for how records must be kept, but they should be retained either on paper, digitally, or within appropriate software. For
More...As a general rule, someone who inherits property, money or shares is not liable to pay tax on the inheritance itself. This is because any Inheritance Tax (IHT) due is normally paid out of the deceased’s estate before assets are distributed to beneficiaries. However, the recipient may be liable to Income Tax on any income generated after
More...You may have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) tax when you sell or dispose of a property that is not your main home. This includes buy-to-let properties, business premises, land and inherited property. Your gain is broadly the difference between what you paid for the property and what you sell it for. In some cases such as where the
More...The Rent a Room Scheme is a set of special rules designed to help homeowners who rent out a room in their home, creating a potentially valuable tax-free income stream. Under the scheme, rent received from lodgers during the tax year is tax-free up to £7,500. The exemption is automatic if your income from the scheme is below this
More...A dividend is a distribution of a company’s profits to its shareholders. Companies may pay dividends in cash or additional shares, giving investors a share of the business’s earnings. Dividends are a common way for shareholders to earn income from their investments. Dividends received within tax-advantaged accounts are completely
More...The employment status of a former bricklayer was recently called into question in establishing liability for asbestos exposure. The widow of the late Mr. Eric Alger, who died from mesothelioma, sought access to historical Employer’s LiabilityInsurance. Mr. Alger had been contracted to work on a major refurbishment project in 1988.
More...Many business owners spend years building their companies but give far less attention to planning how they will eventually exit. In reality, a successful exit rarely happens by chance. It usually requires careful preparation several years in advance. For most owners the business represents their largest financial asset. Without proper
More...Business solvency refers to a company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they fall due and to maintain a healthy balance between its assets and liabilities. It is one of the key indicators of financial stability and is essential for the long term survival of any business. A solvent business has sufficient resources to pay
More...1 April 2026 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 June 2025.19 April 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 April 2026 (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 April 2026).19 April 2026 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 April 2026.19 April 2026 - CIS tax
More...After the end of its financial year, a private limited company must prepare full annual accounts and submit a company tax return. In most cases, the tax return must be filed within 12 months of the end of the accounting period it covers, and filing must be completed online.There are penalties for the late submission of company tax
More...A number of changes to the taxation of dividends, property income and savings income were announced in the Autumn Budget 2025. These measures will affect the rates at which different types of income are taxed and will be introduced in stages over the next few years.From April 2026, the tax rates applying to dividend income will increase
More...It was confirmed as part of the Autumn Budget that the Income Tax thresholds will continue at their current levels for a further three years, extending the freeze until April 2031. This means that most tax allowances are to remain frozen for 2026-27 and beyond. As a result, the personal allowance will stay at £12,570, while the higher
More...New figures published by HMRC show that more than 7 million people started a new job in 2025, an increase of around 300,000 compared with the previous year. The announcement also highlights the growing number of people moving into new roles or careers. According to HMRC, the spring months are the busiest period for recruitment. In 2025,
More...Taxpayers who are self-employed or receive rental income should check whether they will be subject to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) from next month. The new rules significantly change how affected individuals report their income to HMRC. The first cohort subject to MTD for IT from 6 April 2026 are those whose qualifying
More...With the end of the 2025-26 tax year approaching on 5 April 2026, there is still time for taxpayers to increase their pension savings and benefit from valuable tax relief. Pension contributions remain one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for retirement, with relief available at a taxpayer’s highest marginal rate. Tax relief on
More...Reducing energy intensity is one of the most practical ways for small businesses to protect themselves from rising energy costs, particularly if global energy markets remain unstable because of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Oil prices have already surged sharply due to disruption in key supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz,
More...The speed with which a business can achieve a return on investment is often just as important as the size of the return itself. When investments begin generating benefits quickly, the financial impact can be felt much sooner, improving cash flow and strengthening overall business resilience. In periods of economic uncertainty, including
More...Mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind (BiKs) and taxable employment expenses will be introduced from 6 April 2027. This represents a major change in reporting and means that for most benefits, the annual P11D form will no longer be required from the start of the 2027-28 tax year. The requirement to report Income Tax and Class 1A
More...If you have paid too much tax to HMRC, you may be able to claim a tax refund. Overpayments can happen for several reasons, such as a change in employment, being placed on the wrong tax code or failing to claim certain allowances or expenses. The way you claim depends on your circumstances such as whether or not you complete a
More...Reclaiming VAT on a self-build home project can significantly reduce the overall cost of building or converting your property. The VAT DIY Housebuilders Scheme is a special VAT scheme that allows private individuals to benefit from the same VAT advantages as professional property developers. Under this scheme, the qualifying construction
More...Bona vacantia is Latin term meaning “ownerless goods”. The bodies that deal with bona vacantia claims vary across the United Kingdom, but they all ultimately represent the Crown. Under company law, when a company is dissolved, any remaining rights or property automatically pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. This includes
More...A person with significant control (PSC) is someone who owns or exercises significant influence over a company. They can also be referred to as a “beneficial owner”. Every UK company is required to identify its PSCs and register their details with Companies House. A company can have one or more PSCs. A PSC is someone who
More...There are special rules to prevent close companies, generally companies controlled by a small group of individuals, from allowing directors or shareholders to take money out of the company without paying the appropriate tax. Under CTA10/S455, if a close company makes a loan to participators (typically a shareholder, director or someone
More...The Chancellor’s Spring Statement, presented to Parliament 3 March 2026, was packed with political content that has no real impact for UK taxpayers, business owners or employees. The substance of her presentation was a summary of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) Economic and fiscal outlook released on the same date.Our summary
More...The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act 1998 remains contentious, especially after the introduction of the NMW (Amendment) Regulations 2025, as it draws the legal line in the sand between employment and slavery, as highlighted by a recent case. The claimant was born in the Philippines in 1990 and travelled to the UAE in the employ of a
More...As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday business activity, many clients are asking how it might affect their industry and long term prospects. While some sectors face significant disruption, healthcare and social care stand out as the most resilient major industry as AI develops. The core reason is demand. Healthcare is
More...Renewed conflict in the Middle East is already having knock on effects for the global economy, and UK business owners are likely to feel the impact through higher costs and increased uncertainty rather than direct disruption. The most immediate pressure point is energy. The Middle East remains a critical region for global oil and gas
More...An application to claim child benefits can usually be made 48 hours after you have registered the birth of your child, or once a child comes to live with you. An application for child benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months. An application for child benefit is usually made online either using the government gateway. If you are
More...National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill contribution gaps in their National Insurance record. This can help taxpayers increase their number of qualifying National Insurance years, which may increase the number of benefits they are entitled to, such as the State Pension. This could happen if someone
More...When issuing invoices, it is important to apply the correct VAT treatment. In some cases, that means not charging VAT at all. Although most UK businesses charge VAT at the standard rate of 20%, there are other rates and categories that may apply. Understanding these distinctions can help you avoid costly errors and penalties. In addition
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Kalirai & Co
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