News
An extended civil restraint order (ECRO) was issued against a prolific Employment Tribunal (ET) litigant for presenting repeated and baseless claims.
A Mr. Khan has been described as a prolific litigant, having issued no fewer than 42 largely unsuccessful tribunal claims since 2017. These various failed claims have typically involved
Running a small business often feels like walking a financial tightrope. Cash can be flowing in nicely one month, only to dry up the next. With interest rates higher than they were for years and lenders tightening their checks, access to money has become a bigger challenge. That is why focusing on cash flow resilience is so important
For many small business owners, finding and keeping good staff is one of the biggest headaches. Recruitment is costly, time-consuming and uncertain. That is why focusing on staff retention is one of the smartest moves you can make.
People stay where they feel valued. Pay matters, of course, but many small businesses cannot simply compete
Income Tax applies to earnings, pensions, savings, dividends and more, with different bands across the UK nations.
Individuals can be liable to Income Tax at any age. There are special rules to stop parents avoiding tax by putting assets into their children’s names.
The tables below shows the tax rates you pay in each band if you have a
With a £50bn shortfall looming, the Chancellor may need to revisit last year’s Corporation Tax roadmap commitments.
As this year’s Autumn Budget approaches, it is an interesting time to revisit the Corporation Tax Roadmap published alongside last year’s Budget on 30 October 2024.
The roadmap sets out the government’s plans for
From April 2026, the self-employed and landlords must use MTD for IT, but exemptions may apply in limited cases.
If you are self-employed or a landlord with income over £50,000, you will need to prepare for digital record keeping, quarterly updates and a new penalty system. While most affected taxpayers will be required to comply, there
You can claim tax relief on pension contributions up to 100% of earnings, but exceeding the annual allowance may trigger charges. Tax relief is paid on pension contributions at the highest rate of income tax paid.
The first 20% of tax relief is usually automatically applied by your employer with no further action required if you are a
From 6 April 2027, new measures first announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 will come into force. These changes will bring most unused pension funds and death benefits into the scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT) from April 2027. This represents a major change to the tax treatment of pensions on death and will significantly broaden the IHT net
Employers must report pay and deductions correctly to HMRC, but errors can usually be fixed in your next FPS.
Employers need to use payroll software or other payroll services to record employees pay, deductions and national insurance contributions on or before each payday. They also need to consider other deductions such as pension
Many business owners see their bank overdraft as a flexible safety net. When cash runs short, the temptation is to ask the bank for a higher limit to keep things moving. While this can provide breathing space in the short term, relying on overdrafts to cover trading losses is one of the riskiest financial strategies a business can
In every market, businesses face competition. Some competitors may be larger, others may have deeper pockets, but gaining a competitive advantage is not always about size or spending power. It is about finding ways to stand out, deliver value, and build loyalty in ways that others cannot easily copy.
The starting point is understanding
1 September 2025 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 November 2024.
19 September 2025 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 September 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 September 2025)
19 September 2025 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5
Company directors have a legal duty to act responsibly and in the best interests of their business. If a director fails to meet these responsibilities, they can face disqualification from acting as a company director for up to 15 years.
Disqualification can result from ‘unfit conduct,’ which includes actions such as trading while
If you cannot pay your tax bill, it’s crucial to contact HMRC as soon as possible. They may offer support through a Time to Pay arrangement, allowing you to repay your debt in instalments based on your financial situation. Ignoring the debt can lead to enforcement action, including visits to your home or business by HMRC or the use of
The Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) is a pension rule designed to prevent individuals from gaining double tax relief on pension contributions. It targets situations where someone withdraws money from their defined contribution pension pot and then reinvests it, effectively receiving tax relief on the same funds twice.
The normal
Under the Companies Act 2006, dividends can only be paid from realised profits, never from capital, no matter what a company’s Articles of Association say.
Dividends can only be paid by a company out of profits available for distribution, not from capital, even if the company’s Articles of Association suggest otherwise. This rule is
If a call from your bank feels suspicious, just hang up and dial 159 to be connected safely to your bank’s fraud team.
The 159 helpline was launched in September 2021. The helpline is designed to help consumers quickly and safely reconnect with their bank when they receive a suspicious or unexpected call about a financial matter. 159 now
Did you know a missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) record could reduce your State Pension, but you may still have time to put it right.
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was a scheme designed to help individuals, mainly those with caring responsibilities, to build entitlement to the basic State Pension by reducing the
The question was raised as to whether, in a tripartite agency relationship, an employment relationship exists between an employee and their intermediary agency. For instance, Ryanair DAC employs some pilots directly, while subcontracting others. A Mr. Lutz successfully applied to an advertisement for pilots and was contracted on 10 August
Why cash flow matters
Profit is important, but cash pays wages, suppliers and loan repayments. Even strong businesses can struggle if money arrives late. A few disciplined habits around invoicing and collections can shorten the time it takes to get paid, reduce borrowing costs, and create headroom for growth.
Set clear expectations
A management buyout keeps the business in familiar hands. The team that already understands customers, systems, and culture steps into ownership, which reduces disruption and protects service quality. For founders, a management buyout allows a planned transition with clear handover milestones and an agreed role after completion if
HMRC’s Time to Pay lets eligible taxpayers spread tax bills over time, avoiding immediate enforcement.
If you owe tax to HMRC, you may be able to set up an online ‘Time to Pay’ payment plan depending on the type of tax debt and your circumstances. For self-assessment, you can create a payment plan online if you’ve filed your latest tax
SMI loans can help pay mortgage interest for those on benefits, but repayment is due when the home is sold.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a government-backed loan provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to assist homeowners receiving certain benefits in covering the interest on their mortgage or home
Banks must now give 90 days’ notice before closing accounts, giving customers more time to respond.
Since April 2026, new government rules strengthen protections for individuals and small businesses at risk of unfair bank account closures. Under the legislation, banks and payment service providers are required to give at least 90 days’
Latest News
- Balancing access to justice and abuse of process
02/09/2025 - More...
An extended civil restraint order (ECRO) was issued against a prolific Employment Tribunal (ET) litigant for presenting
- Cash flow resilience and access to funding
01/09/2025 - More...
Running a small business often feels like walking a financial tightrope. Cash can be flowing in nicely one month, only
- Keeping your best people with flexible working
01/09/2025 - More...
For many small business owners, finding and keeping good staff is one of the biggest headaches. Recruitment is costly,
Newsletter
With our newsletter, you automatically receive our latest news per e-mail and get access to the archive including advanced search options!
