If you submitted your Self Assessment for 2023/24 and owed over £1,000, or didn’t have 80% of your tax covered through PAYE, then HMRC will want you to make two Payments on Account: one by 31st January and another by 31st July each year. That means your second POA is...
Running a limited company gives you flexibility—but that doesn’t mean you can just dip into the business account whenever you fancy. If you're taking money out of your company and it's not salary, dividends, or expense reimbursement, chances are it's going through...
If you’re self-employed or earn income from property, big changes are coming your way. From 6th April 2026, you’ll need to follow new rules under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) - and it’s not something you’ll want to leave till the...
If your business is VAT-registered but planning to deregister, or has already done so, there’s some good news from HMRC that could save you stress, time, and possibly money. As of 13th June 2025, HMRC has officially updated the VAT Regulations to give them the power...
New tax year. New rules. More admin. Sound familiar? Welcome to the 2025/26 payroll season – and if you’re an employer, brace yourself. There’ve been some big shifts this year, from higher employer NICs to updated statutory payments. If you’re running payroll...
It’s official – UK inflation has crept back up to 3.5%. For small businesses already juggling rising wages, energy bills, and supply chain headaches, this news will feel like salt in the wound. But don’t panic. While inflation adds pressure, with the right planning,...
Tax changes don’t have to mean sleepless nights. Here's what's landed this month – and how Accounts Direct keeps it simple for you. If you run a small business, you’ve probably noticed tax updates come thick and fast – and usually with enough jargon to make your head...
We’re halfway through 2025 already — and if you’re running a business, now’s the perfect time to pause, check in, and get your finances fighting fit for the second half of the year. A proper mid-year review isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s your chance to: Spot...
Flexible working used to be a rare perk, now, it’s something employees are starting to expect. And it’s not just good for your team , when done right, it can be a massive win for your bottom line too. If you’re running an established business and thinking about how to...
Here’s everything you need to know to stay on the right side of HMRC — and keep your team happy too. First things fThe end of May is looming, and that can only mean one thing if you’re an employer: P60s need sorting. If you’ve got staff on your payroll, you’re...
Spring's not just for sorting out your garage and cleaning the windows – it's the perfect time to give your business finances a once-over too. And one area that could do with a good check-in? Your payroll. With National Insurance costs rising this year, and the P60...
The new tax year is here, and while many businesses are looking forward to a fresh start, there's a bit of a storm brewing when it comes to staffing costs. As of April 2025, Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) have risen from 13.8% to 15%, and...