Category: Employment

Tax e-News April 2026

Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Tax E-News, where the headline story is the official “go-live” of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax. This new regime applies to self-employed individuals and landlords with business or property income exceeding £50,000 per annum, requiring digital record-keeping and quarterly updates, the first of which is due by 7 August 2026. Beyond MTD, taxpayers should prepare for a hike in dividend tax rates, which are increasing to 10.75% for basic rate taxpayers and 35.75% for those in the higher rate band.

HMRC is also tightening its grip on corporate reporting, with new data requirements for company directors in 2025/26 self-assessments and a consultation on more detailed disclosures for transactions between close companies and their shareholders. Other key changes include a rise in Capital Gains Tax rates for Business Asset Disposal Relief to 18%, stricter penalties for late-filed corporation tax returns, and a potential VAT shift for public electric vehicle charging following a recent tribunal ruling. Stay ahead of these updates to ensure your 2026/27 tax planning remains compliant and efficient.

Tax e-News March 2026

The March 2026 Spring Forecast warns of a record-high tax burden as frozen thresholds and rising National Insurance contributions continue to squeeze budgets. With the state pension set to exceed the personal allowance by 2027/28, hundreds of thousands of retirees may soon face new tax liabilities. Now is the time to review your allowances and capital gains strategies, especially as the government keeps a close watch on capital taxes and transactions.

Critical deadlines are also looming: the Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime kicks off in April 2026 for landlords and the self-employed earning over £50,000. Furthermore, you must submit any overpayment relief claims for the 2021/22 tax year by 5 April 2026, and businesses should audit third-party labor providers now to avoid joint liability for unpaid PAYE under new rules effective this April. New advisory fuel rates are already in effect as of 1 March.

Personal Tax – Year End Tax Planning Guide 2025/26

With the end of the 2025/26 tax year fast approaching, it is now the time to consider some opportunities for saving tax with some careful end of year tax planning. This guide will provide you with lots of tax saving tips, but not all of these will be relevant to your particular circumstances.

Tax e-News February 2026

This Tax E-News focuses on critical year-end planning opportunities that individuals and businesses should address before the April 5 deadline. Key recommendations include maximizing the £20,000 ISA allowance and considering the 25% government bonus available through Lifetime ISAs. Pension contributions remain a powerful strategy, particularly for those earning between £100,000 and £125,140 who can benefit from an effective 60% tax saving. Businesses are also encouraged to review equipment spending to utilize the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance or the new 40% first-year allowance introduced in January 2026.

Significant legislative shifts are approaching in April 2026, including a two percentage point increase in dividend tax rates and a rise in Capital Gains Tax for certain reliefs to 18%. A notable government “U-turn” will increase the Inheritance Tax relief cap for qualifying agricultural and business assets to £2.5 million, potentially allowing couples to pass on £5 million tax-free. Furthermore, the newsletter outlines the upcoming Making Tax Digital (MTD) mandate for self-assessment taxpayers , the removal of employee tax relief for working from home , and the future requirement for mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind starting in 2027.

Tax e-News January 2026

This Tax E-News highlights major shifts for self-assessment and employment expenses. Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax is set to be mandated for a large group of taxpayers starting April 6, 2026 , although late filing penalties for quarterly updates will be waived for the 2026/27 tax year. Certain groups, such as those with trust income or farmers using averaging adjustments, have had their entry deferred until 2027. Additionally, employees should prepare for the abolition of tax deductions for working from home expenses starting April 2026 , as the government tightens rules to allow tax-free reimbursement only when home-working is a contractual necessity.

The newsletter also covers long-term digital transitions and important VAT clarifications. Looking ahead to April 2027, most Benefits in Kind (BiKs) must be processed through payroll in real-time , while mandatory e-invoicing for VAT is projected for 2029. A notable recent tribunal ruling also confirmed that rotisserie chickens are subject to 20% VAT because they are kept hot in specialized packaging. Finally, taxpayers are reminded of new advisory fuel rates effective from December 2025 and the critical January 31 deadline for filing 2024/25 self-assessment returns and making outstanding payments.

Tax e-News February 2025

Welcome to our monthly tax newsletter designed to keep you informed of the latest tax issues.

THERE’S STILL TIME FOR SOME YEAR END TAX PLANNING!
AVOID ANY DOUBLE CAB ‘HICCUPS’!
EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES
VAT ON FOOD AND DRINK
DIARY OF MAIN TAX EVENTS – FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025

Tax e-News December 2024

Welcome to our monthly tax newsletter designed to keep you informed of the latest tax issues.

In this month’s newsletter:

FARMERS CAMPAIGNING FOR AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY RETHINK
BRING FORWARD SUCCESSION PLANNING TO AVOID A BIG IHT BILL
CHECK YOUR STATE PENSION ENTITLEMENT
PAYING EMPLOYEES EARLY BEFORE CHRISTMAS
REMEMBER CHRISTMAS GIFTS OF UP TO £50 PER EMPLOYEE ARE TAX FREE
CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME!
ADVISORY FUEL RATE FOR COMPANY CARS
DIARY OF MAIN TAX EVENTS – OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024

Tax e-News August 2024

Welcome to our monthly tax newsletter designed to keep you informed of the latest tax issues.

In this month’s newsletter:

BEWARE THE 60% INCOME TAX TRAP
USE TAX-FREE CHILDCARE ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUBS
PLANNING A STAFF SUMMER BARBEQUE?
BUDGET DATE ANNOUNCED
PROPOSED REPEAL OF THE SPECIAL TAX TREATMENT OF FURNISHED HOLIDAY LETTINGS
CHANGES TO VAT ON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FEES
DIARY OF MAIN TAX EVENTS -AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024

Tax e-News June 2024

Welcome to our monthly tax newsletter designed to keep you informed of the latest tax issues.

In this month’s newsletter:

REPORT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ON FORM P11D BY 6 JULY
2023/24 EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SECURITIES RETURNS DUE BY 6 JULY
SHOULD EMPLOYEES REIMBURSE THEIR EMPLOYER FOR PRIVATE FUEL?
HMRC OFFICIAL RATE OF INTEREST REMAINS AT 2.25%
SHOULD DIRECTOR/SHAREHOLDERS TAX ADVANTAGE OF THIS LOWER RATE?
ADVISORY FUEL RATE FOR COMPANY CARS
DIARY OF MAIN TAX EVENTS -JUNE/JULY 2024