The Department of Business & Trade (DBT) has released the finalised draft of the Code of Practice on Fair & Transparent Distribution of Tips – the next step towards bringing the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 (the Act) into force. The Act will require businesses, where tips and gratuities are provided by customers, to […]

If you are a Self-Assessment taxpayer, it is almost time to make your second ‘payment on account’ – advance payments towards your tax bill. Those who submit a Self-Assessment tax return and owe £1,000 or more will be required to make their second payment on account by midnight on 31 July 2024. How do payments […]

Child benefit supports parents or guardians of children under 16, or under 20 if in approved education, by contributing towards the costs of raising them. Since January 2013, the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) affects those earning above a specific threshold but this was revised in the Spring Budget 2024. Initially, families with one […]

The Government continues to freeze both the personal allowance and the higher-rate income tax thresholds – leading to an increase in the number of higher-rate taxpayers this year. The result of ‘fiscal drag’ – a phenomenon where tax thresholds fail to keep up with inflation or wage growth – the freeze will continue to increase […]

With the 6 July deadline nearing, it is essential to understand the updated reporting requirements for Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on benefits in kind (BIKs). Employers offering benefits, such as private healthcare, living accommodation, travel expenses, and company cars must report additional NICs through the payroll process or on a P11D form. Significant […]

In its latest research into the UK’s SME economy, NatWest Group has identified an encouraging trend among the country’s independent operators, as SME growth continues for the fifth consecutive month. Two sectors led the charge, as the service industry continues to be a significant driver of growth, while the manufacturing sector enjoyed expansion after a […]

There is an inherent degree of risk in any business growth strategy – but keeping this risk to a minimum can help you grow your business without sacrificing your hard work. Growing your business hinges on your ability to take calculated risks, whether that be by investing in innovation or by taking on a new […]

A survey by the Bank of England (BoE) and the Department of Business and Trade has identified a potentially significant challenge facing SMEs on their journey towards growth. The survey’s findings indicate that investment is crucial to sustaining growth for SMEs, but that many businesses faced barriers to accessing finance to make sufficient investment in […]

New research by Marktlink suggests that around 33 per cent of UK business owners are unaware of the value of their company – only slightly lower than the European average figure of 40 per cent. While you are not alone if this applies to you, you must know what your business is worth. Why? Let […]

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recently reported a £2 billion increase in income tax receipts, reflecting a strong self-assessment period and an evolving dynamic within the tax landscape. The Government’s recent changes, including adjustments to National Insurance Contributions (NICs), have both mitigated and exacerbated the overall NIC burden. This is because they encompass rate reductions […]