On 9 June 2026, the Government issued a Written Ministerial Statement confirming how significant accounts reform measures contained within the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) will be implemented. Whilst many of the changes won’t take effect until April 2028, they represent one of the most significant overhauls of Companies House filing requirements […]
Unpaid customer invoices – don’t forget to reclaim the VAT
One of the most frustrating aspects of running a business is having to pay VAT to HMRC on sales that you haven’t actually been paid for. Many business owners are surprised to discover that under the standard VAT accounting method, VAT becomes payable when you issue an invoice, not when your customer pays it. If […]
Mileage allowance increase from April 2026 – what business owners need to know
From 6th April 2026, the government has increased the approved business mileage allowance for cars and vans from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles driven each tax year. This is the first increase in the rate since 2011 and is designed to help workers and business owners cope with rising […]
How to reward staff for great ideas (without paying tax or NI on the bonus)
If you’re a small business owner, you’ll already know this: your best ideas don’t always come from the boardroom. They come from the person answering the phone who spots a recurring customer issue. From the engineer who notices a quicker way to do a job. From the admin assistant who realises a simple tweak could […]
A smarter way to chase unpaid invoices?
If you’ve run a small business for any length of time, you probably know the feeling all too well. You’ve done the work, you’ve sent the invoice, and the payment never arrives. You follow up politely once or twice, but eventually, you have to make a choice: keep chasing and waste valuable time or give […]
Workplace stress – a practical guide for small business owners
Ironically, you may have been too busy to notice that April was ‘Stress Awareness Month’ – which makes it a good time for business owners to step back and ask a simple question: Is the way we’re running our business putting people under unnecessary pressure? When stress at work is discussed, it’s often framed as […]
Free childcare for company owners
There are many ‘cliff-edge’ thresholds in the UK tax system – particularly where families and children are concerned. For example, if you have children and receive child benefit, then if either you or your partner (living with you, whether the parent of the children or not) earns over £60,000, then any child benefit starts to […]
National Minimum Wage – are you compliant?
Many businesses are surprised by HMRC minimum wage checks. Here’s what to review before it becomes a problem.
Business and personal travel – why using an independent travel agent makes sense for UK company directors
Business travel often overlaps with personal time. Here’s how directors should structure trips properly and stay on the right side of HMRC.
HMRC subsistence rules – a guide for directors and employees
Subsistence claims can get messy. Here’s a straightforward guide to what you can claim and how to stay compliant.










