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NIC for employers to rise

Picture representing an employer and their staff

One of the key announcements in the Autumn 2024 Budget was the rise in employer’s National Insurance contributions from 6 April 2025. From that date, the rate of secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions is increased by 1.2 percentage points, from 13.8% to 15%. In a further blow, the secondary threshold – the point above … Read more

Dispose of your business sooner rather than later to benefit from the best BADR rates

A clock ticking to show that it might be time to sell your business

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) is a valuable relief which reduces the rate of capital gains tax payable on gains made on the disposal of all or part of a business or the sale of shares in a personal trading company. The relief was previously known as Entrepreneurs’ Relief. A sole trader selling all or … Read more

Tax-efficient Christmas parties and gifts

Staff celebrating at a Christmas party

Employers looking to spread some seasonal cheer can do so in a tax-efficient manner by taking advantage of the exemptions for annual parties and functions and trivial benefits. Christmas parties The tax exemption for annual parties and functions will only apply to a Christmas party if the following conditions are met. Some points are worthy … Read more

Setting up as a sole trader

The way in which you operate your business determines the taxes that you pay and also your reporting obligations. If you work for yourself and run your business on your own as an individual other than through a limited company, you are a sole trader. By contrast, if you operate your business through a personal … Read more

Training costs and the self-employed

Training costs and the self-employed

A sole trader or proprietor of an unincorporated business may incur training costs. The tax treatment of those costs depends on whether the costs are regarded as ‘revenue’ or ‘capital’ expenditure. HMRC have revised their guidance in this area, expanding the range of training for which a deduction is available. Old rules Previously, HMRC only … Read more

The van and fuel benefit charges 2023/24: What You Need to Know

taxation of company vans

A tax charge may arise under the benefit in kind legislation where a company van is available for an employee’s private use. If fuel is also provided for private journeys, a separate fuel benefit tax charge arises. The van and fuel benefit charges for 2023/24 have now been announced. Van benefit charge The van benefit … Read more

Tax relief for bad debts

Bad debts

Bad debts are a fact of business life and most businesses will suffer a bad debt from time to time. This may be because the customer goes out of business after the work has been done or the goods have been supplied, or runs into financial difficulty resulting in them defaulting on the debt. Unfortunately, … Read more