Claiming a tax refund
It is reasonable to assume that if a person pays too much tax, HMRC will automatically send the overpayment back to them. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and where a taxpayer is due a tax refund, they may need…
Amanda Osborne
Capital gains tax annual exempt amount – Use it or lose it!
The 2025/26 tax year comes to an end on 5 April 2026. If you are thinking of selling assets that may realise a gain and have yet to use your 2025/26 capital gains tax annual exempt amount, it may be…
Budget Newsletter
On 26 November 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her second Budget to Parliament. After the tax-raising budget of 2024, it had been hoped by the government that widely applicable tax increases would not be required again in 2025. However, with…
Tax relief for costs of updating a property prior to letting
When a landlord buys a new property to let out, they may need to undertake some work prior to the first let, particularly if the property is tired or in need of updating. The extent to which relief will be…
Should you withdraw your pension to save IHT?
Legislation has been published in draft for inclusion in the Finance Bill which will bring unused pension pots within the charge to inheritance tax from 6 April 2027. In light of this change, pension savers may be considering withdrawing pension…
Companies House ID Verification: 18 November 2025
We are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider From 18 November 2026, Companies House will introduce mandatory Identity Verification (IDV) under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. This is designed to improve transparency, reduce fraud, and strengthen trust in company…
Business Rates: Revaluations Coming in 2026
How will your business be affected? The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is encouraging businesses to sign up for a business rates valuation account so they can find out their new commercial property valuation. Every three years the VOA updates the…
Temporary staff and auto-enrolment
Employers have a duty to enrol eligible staff in a pension scheme. Staff are eligible if they are aged between 22 and state pension age and earn more than £192 per week (£833 per month). Where an employer takes on…
Tax-free trivial benefits
The tax exemption for trivial benefits is a useful one as it allows employers to provide certain low-cost benefits to employees without an associated tax or National Insurance liability, such as Christmas or birthday gifts. However, not all benefits qualify,…
Tax implications of writing off a director’s loan
Personal and family companies often make loans to directors. However, there can be tax and National Insurance implications of doing so. Where the loan remains outstanding nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period in which…