DZ Accounting Solutions

02/03/2026

Delivery drivers & self-employed — please be careful with Flat Rate VAT schemes.
If a company is offering to register you for the Flat Rate Scheme, promising that:
• You’ll receive +20% VAT
• You’ll only pay 10% to HMRC
• They will “handle everything” for you
• VAT money will not be paid to you directly
• They will “keep it aside”, submit your VAT returns, pay HMRC, deduct their fees, and use the rest for your income tax
❗ Stop and check everything very carefully.
Last year there were many cases where: • VAT returns were submitted but never paid
• Or returns were not submitted at all
• “Accountants” disappeared
And the debts stayed with the driver.
HMRC will not chase the company.
They will not chase the accountant.
You are legally responsible for your VAT as a self-employed person.
Important:
If someone is your VAT agent, you must approve them through your own Government Gateway account.
If you never approved an agent, ask yourself how they are accessing your VAT.
You have the right to see your VAT account and monitor what is being filed and paid in your name.
Never give full control of your tax affairs without understanding what is happening.
If you’ve been offered this type of arrangement and you’re unsure whether it’s safe — feel free to contact us.
We're happy to help and explain everything step by step.

24/12/2025

05/07/2025

📉 Had a business loss? Don’t let it go to waste — claim tax relief!

If your business made a loss, you might be able to reduce your tax bill — but it’s important to plan wisely:

✅ Claim against other income (like salary) — up to £50,000 or 25% of total income, whichever is higher
✅ Carry back terminal losses up to 3 years
✅ Carry forward unused losses to offset future profits
✅ If income relief isn’t used, you can claim against capital gains

⚠️ But be careful — using losses too early could waste your Personal Allowance or Capital Gains Tax exemption if not planned properly.

💡 A smart strategy can mean real savings.

25/06/2025

🚗💼 Claiming Fuel Expenses – What’s Allowed? (UK) 💼🚗

Not all fuel costs are tax-deductible! Here's what you can and can't claim as a business in the UK:

✅ Allowed: • Business trips to clients or job sites
• Fuel for delivery vans or company vehicles
• Business errands (e.g. bank, post office)
• Mileage allowance for using your own car (45p/mile)

❌ Not Allowed: • Daily commute (home to work)
• Personal trips or holidays
• Mixed-use fuel without clear business logs
• Fuel for non-business vehicles (friends/family)

📌 Keep detailed mileage records and receipts to stay compliant with HMRC rules!

Have questions about fuel claims or other business expenses? We’re happy to help! 💬

21/06/2025

📢 Tax Update Alert: Making Tax Digital 📢

Be aware! HMRC continues to expand Making Tax Digital (MTD) — a major change in the way businesses and individuals report their taxes.

✅ From April 2026, MTD for Income Tax will apply to self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 per year.
📅 Those earning over £30,000 will be included from April 2027.
📊 You’ll be required to use MTD-compliant software to keep records and send quarterly updates to HMRC.

🔍 Don’t wait until the last minute — check if your software is compatible and get ready in advance!

Need help? We’re here to support you every step of the way.

19/06/2025

🚨 HMRC “Name and Shame” 🚨

HMRC regularly releases a public list of individuals and businesses who deliberately failed to pay over £25,000 in taxes. These names remain visible for 12 months to promote transparency and encourage tax compliance.

💡 Stay off the list – make sure your tax affairs are in order!
Need help? Message us 📩



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/publishing-details-of-deliberate-tax-defaulters-pddd/current-list-of-deliberate-tax-defaulters

18/06/2025

💡 What are HMRC “Payments on Account”?

Many self-employed people are confused — here’s the truth in simple words:

If your tax bill is over £1,000, HMRC makes you pay towards next year’s tax in advance.

You’ll pay: ✅ 31 Jan – First Payment on Account (50% of last year’s tax)
✅ 31 Jul – Second Payment on Account (another 50%)

📌 Example:
If your 2023–24 tax was £2,000, you’ll pay:
👉 £2,000 (for 2023–24)
👉 £1,000 (first payment for 2024–25) by 31 Jan 2025
👉 £1,000 (second payment for 2024–25) by 31 Jul 2025

🧾 Then in Jan 2026 you file your actual tax return for 2024–25 and either: ➡️ Pay the difference
➡️ Or get a refund if you overpaid

💬 These are not extra taxes – just advance payments for the next tax year.
If your income is lower next year, you can ask HMRC to reduce the amounts.

17/06/2025

🚨 HMRC Scam Warning – Don’t Get Caught Out 🚨

Scammers are impersonating HMRC — and it's getting worse.

📈 Reports of HMRC-related scams have tripled in the past year, especially during tax return season.

Common scam tactics: ❌ Fake tax refund offers
❌ Threatening arrest for “unpaid tax”
❌ Emails or texts with links to bogus HMRC sites

🛡️ Protect yourself:
✅ HMRC will never ask for personal info by text or email
✅ Always log into your HMRC account directly — don’t click suspicious links
✅ Report scams to: [email protected]

Learn more: https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing

How internet scams work and what to be aware of - misleading websites, report website fraud, suspicious communication and phishing, HMRC scams, immigration scams.

16/06/2025

🔒 DIRECTORS & PSCs: New Legal Requirement – Not a Scam! 🔒

📢 This is a genuine update from Companies House – ALL company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity under new UK law (Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023).

✅ Identity verification becomes mandatory from autumn 2025, but you can act NOW to avoid delays later.

⚠️ If you don’t verify in time:

You won’t be able to file your confirmation statements 📄

You may face fines 💷

You could be prevented from starting new companies 🚫

🛡 This is NOT a scam. You may have received an official email from Companies House – it’s real, and it applies to all limited companies.

🔍 You can verify:

Online via GOV.UK One Login 🌐

At select UK Post Offices 📮

Or through an accountant or solicitor who is an authorised agent 👨‍💼

👉 Check your company details and get started here: [GOV.UK link to Companies House ID verification – optional]

📌 Stay compliant. Stay protected. Forward this to all company directors you know.

GOV.UK - The best place to find government services and information.

04/06/2025

Claiming work expenses Check you’re eligible and claim work expenses directly with HMRC for free. Don’t get caught out by online adverts and tax refund companies who offer to make work expense claims for you so they can claim a commission. If it turns out you aren’t eligible to claim, you’re...

01/06/2025

https://dontgetcaughtout.campaign.gov.uk/tax-avoidance/?&utm_source=t.co_hmrcgovuk&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dgco_avoidance&utm_content=umbrella

Tax avoidance We’ll help you understand your pay arrangements so you don’t get any unexpected tax bills. Are you a contractor, agency worker, or working through an umbrella company? Learn how to spot the signs of tax avoidance. This includes how to check your pay – to make sure you’re paying...