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Claim flat rate expenses for work clothing and tools

If you use your own money to buy items for work, you may be eligible to claim tax relief as long as the items are essential for your job and are used solely for work purposes.

Flat rate expenses (also known as a flat rate deduction) allows you to

Christmas crafters and tax

If you earn fees or sell goods as a side hustle, you may need to pay tax on your profits.

HMRC has launched a new press release encouraging Christmas crafters and anyone with a fee earning hobby to check their tax reporting obligations as part of

National Insurance credits and Child Benefit

Claiming Child Benefit can provide an important benefit by granting National Insurance credits.

If you claim Child Benefit and your child is under 12, you will automatically receive National Insurance credits. This in turn will protect your

What is a demerger?

A demerger involves splitting the trading activities of a single company or group into two or more independent entities. This can be facilitated by distributing the assets of a holding company to its shareholders.

There are special statutory

Taxable & tax-free state benefits

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

Preparing for tighter credit conditions in 2026

Many small businesses rely on a mix of overdrafts, card facilities and short term loans to maintain day to day cash flow. During the past year banks and alternative lenders have become more cautious, and several indicators suggest that credit

Increase in the London congestion charge from January 2026

The daily charge for driving within the London Congestion Charge zone will rise from £15 to £18 from 2 January 2026. This is the first increase in several years and forms part of Transport for London’s wider plan to manage traffic levels, improve air

HMRC contacting sole traders

HMRC is currently contacting certain sole traders by email to reiterate the importance of adjusting business expenses for personal use.The email explains:why personal use must be adjusted on your self-assessment tax return; andwhat you need to do if

Enforcement of the minimum wage

The Department for Business & Trade has recently published a report that outlines the government’s enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) for the 2024–25 financial year.The Government is committed to

Help with outstanding tax bills

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.

What is Support for Mortgage Interest?

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

VAT – digital record keeping

HMRC requires businesses to maintain accurate VAT records to ensure correct tax payments. While all businesses must retain general records (such as invoices, bank statements, and receipts), a key requirement under the Making Tax Digital for VAT

Trusts and Income Tax

Trustees must manage assets, follow tax rules, and register with HMRC where required.

A trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee, either an individual or a company, is entrusted with managing assets such as land, money, or shares on behalf of

Rules to protect effects of debanking

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

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