Moulton Johnson Limited

03/06/2026

HMRC launches a new Targeted Advance Assurance service for R&D tax relief claims

For SMEs navigating the increasingly complex R&D tax relief landscape, this could be a significant development.

Eligible businesses can now apply for HMRC's new Targeted Advance Assurance pilot, allowing them to obtain clarity on specific high-risk or complex areas of an R&D claim before submitting it. The pilot is scheduled to run until May 2027.

https://bit.ly/4ub11pU

Want to know if this scheme could be right for your business? Call us on 01277 228444

27/05/2026

A business can be profitable on paper and still run out of cash.

A business can look profitable on paper and still struggle if payments aren’t coming in on time. Credit control rarely gets talked about as a growth strategy, but it absolutely is one.

Credit Control: The Quiet Discipline That Keeps a Business Alive highlights something a lot of businesses learn the hard way: https://bit.ly/4uWc7Qq

The businesses that stay healthy long term are usually the ones doing the “unexciting” things consistently well:

• Clear payment terms

• Fast, accurate invoicing

• Chasing overdue payments early

• Keeping a close eye on debtor days

• Having difficult conversations when needed

In uncertain markets, strong credit control can be the difference between reacting to problems and being prepared for them.

21/05/2026

This month it's Ian Sutton turn to spend some time in the spotlight.

Some people measure success in balance sheets. Others measure it by whether West Ham United survive in the Premier League!

Luckily, Ian manages both with remarkable composure.

Having joined Moulton Johnson Limited back in 2005 after graduating from University of Kent, Ian has worked his way up to joint Managing Director, building extensive expertise in tax, audit and accounting for SMEs along the way.

Outside of work, Ian can usually be found:

Searching for warmer climates and better golf courses
Playing fiercely competitive six-a-side football
Watching every twist and turn of Test Match cricket
Stressing about West Ham’s league position
Enjoying time with family and friends

We’re still not sure what causes Ian more anxiety, tax deadlines or a 90th-minute relegation battle.

Fingers crossed for the Irons for this weekend Ian!

13/05/2026

“The business is doing well, so why don’t I feel better off?” It’s a question we get asked a lot.

Strong revenue. Growing profits. Everything looks right on paper and yet behind the scenes, many still feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their finances.

Why?

Because success often brings complexity, not clarity. More moving parts, bigger decisions, and finances that evolve faster than the systems managing them. Many business owners accumulate pensions, investments, and cash across different places, but without a clear overall picture, it becomes difficult to make confident decisions.

This article breaks it down brilliantly: https://bit.ly/4deixTU . Worth a read if you want your finances to feel as strong as your business looks.

07/05/2026

A recent case has served up a surprisingly sticky question: When is a marshmallow not confectionery?

In Innovative Bites Ltd v HMRC, the courts looked at “Mega Marshmallows” (about 5cm wide) and asked whether they are “sweetened prepared food normally eaten with the fingers”, the key test for VAT on confectionery.

Here’s the twist:

These jumbo marshmallows are mainly used for roasting and making s’mores
The tribunal found they’re more often eaten without fingers than with
Result: they are not confectionery → zero-rated for VAT

Meanwhile:

Standard marshmallows = standard-rated (20% VAT)
Mini marshmallows (for baking) = zero-rated
Mega marshmallows = also zero-rated

Yes, size really does matter… at least for VAT.

It’s a neat reminder that VAT isn’t just about what a product is, but how it’s typically used.

Want help navigating the VAT maze? We can help. Call 01277 228444 for an appointment.

Other tax news: https://bit.ly/48I5HvU

30/04/2026

We’re starting a new series introducing the team at Moulton Johnson each month… and Mark is going first.

Meet the Team: Mark Southgate ACA FCCA

From trainee to Joint Managing Director, Mark Southgate has been part of the Moulton Johnson journey since 1996.

With decades of experience supporting SMEs, Mark specialises in tax planning, audit and accountancy, helping clients tackle complex challenges and make confident financial decisions. He’s also a familiar face in the local business community as a founding member of the Brentwood Professionals Networking Group.

Outside the office, you’ll likely find Mark spending time with family, following England rugby and cricket, or occasionally cheering on West Ham.

23/04/2026

Advising the advisors. As consultancy work evolves, contracts, income, and ways of working change. But many setups stay the same.

That’s where inefficiencies and risks creep in.

We often see:

· structures that no longer fit how someone operates
· contracts and working practices out of sync
· uncertainty around areas like IR35 as roles shift

Consulting isn’t static, and your setup shouldn’t be either.

It needs to reflect:

· how you’re working now
· the contracts you’re taking
· where you’re heading

How we can help:

We are dedicated to servicing all types of consultancy businesses. Whether you are an IT consultant or other professional, we provide solutions to ensure the tax-effectiveness and continued success of your business, using the most effective and appropriate business formats.

08/04/2026

Egg-cellent effort! Brentwood Business Network donation of 748 Easter eggs to SNAP Charity is a great example of local business professionals coming together and doing something positive for their community.

SNAP supports families of children and young people with additional needs or disabilities across Essex, and these eggs will now be passed on to the children and families they work with.

It also says a lot about what Brentwood Business Network is all about, bringing local professionals together every other Thursday morning to share ideas, build relationships, support one another and the wider community.

Join us at our next event https://bit.ly/47P4zWM

31/03/2026

Are you a smartie? Can you be tax-efficient and treat your staff this Easter?

In many cases, a small Easter gift will qualify as a trivial benefit if it costs £50 or less, isn’t cash, isn’t performance-related, and isn’t written into the contract.

HMRC even gives seasonal gifts like chocolates as an example of the type of benefit that can qualify.

A nice gesture for staff, without creating an unnecessary tax headache.

24/03/2026

Is your payroll ready for the minimum wage increase?

From 1 April, minimum wage rates go up, so now’s the time to make sure your payroll is up to date. The new National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour.

And it’s worth taking seriously.

Just this month, Swizzels Matlow, the Derbyshire sweet maker behind Love Hearts, was reported to have underpaid 437 workers by £19,961.54 as part of the government’s latest minimum wage enforcement action. The government’s naming scheme is designed to deter employers from getting minimum wage compliance wrong, and employers can face repayment orders and financial penalties.

https://bit.ly/4bFLkzT

A quick payroll check now is far easier than fixing underpayments later.

Can we help with your payroll? Please call us on 01277 228444