National Minimum Wage – What counts as working time?

A number of workers are not being paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW). Often, this isn’t intentional, it’s because the NMW is more than just a pay rate, it’s a calculation. The main reason why so many companies accidentally underpay their workers is because they do not know about the calculation. Here is the HB overview of the NMW – our payroll team is always on hand if you need advice.

Continue reading

No further Tax Increases: Spring Statement 2025

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves has delivered her second fiscal statement announcing her focus is on growth. In the run up to the event, the Chancellor stated that she ‘remains committed to one major fiscal event a year to give families and businesses stability and certainty on upcoming tax and spending changes and, in turn, to support the government’s growth mission’.

Continue reading

Last chance to check for gaps in your National Insurance to qualify for your full state pension

You only have until 5 April 2025 to check your National Insurance record to enable you to fill in any gaps in your NI contributions from 2006 to 2018. If you have a shortfall in your record you have a few days to 5 April 2025 to buy back missed years to qualify for a full state pension – from 6 April you will only be able to fill in gaps for the last six tax years

Continue reading

Key differences between operating as a Sole Trader versus a Limited Company

When starting a business, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to operate as a sole trader or set up a limited company. Both options has its own advantages and drawbacks. From taxation and liability to administrative responsibilities and credibility. Choosing the right option depends on factors like the nature of the your business, your long-term goals and how much risk you are willing to take. Here we will explore the key differences between being a sole trader and running a limited company to help you make an informed decision.

Continue reading

Upcoming UK Non-Dom Reforms – Effective 6th April 2025

Significant changes are due to come into effect for non-UK domiciled individuals – also known as non-doms. From 6th April 2025, the current rules for the taxation of non-UK domiciled individuals will end to be replaced by a new residence-based foreign income and gains (FIG) regime. There is a transition provision for those already working under the existing rules.

Continue reading

Solving a Finance Director’s Worst Nightmare: Falling foul of the financial regulator

Unintentionally making an error that is picked up by the financial regulator or other authorities can damage a business, damage a Financial Director’s reputation and is likely to be costly. Find out the most common major regulatory breaches and our top tips to help keep your business compliant

Continue reading

Most tax effective director’s salary and dividends for 2025-2026

You may wish to change how you pay a director’s salary and dividends due to the changes to Employer’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) announced in the October budget. NICs are not payable on dividends so despite salaries being tax deductible, the optimum balance between paying a salary and a dividend may have shifted – depending on how many directors are in your business. If you are a director or shareholders of a small, limited company, read on to find out more.

Continue reading

Self-Employed or a Landlord? Big Changes Ahead: Are You Ready for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax? (MTD ITSA)

From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) will transform the way self-employed individuals and landlords manage their tax affairs. If you earn income through self-employment or property rentals, you’ll need to keep digital records and submit updates to HMRC every quarter. While payment deadlines remain the same, the shift to more frequent reporting means you’ll need to stay on top of your bookkeeping because the way you report your earnings is changing – are you prepared?

Continue reading