SMART Bookkeeping & Accounts Ltd

02/09/2026

Alert: Claiming business expenses? Keep your receipts and evidence safe! HMRC could ask for proof, so get your records in order to avoid trouble. Find out why it matters now.

Self-employed individuals can deduct allowable business expenses from their income when calculating taxable profits. However, businesses must keep accurate records and evidence to support the costs being claimed. HMRC requires taxpayers to keep proof of business expenses, although evidence does not....

02/09/2026

Missed your tax deadline? You might have a reasonable excuse that could save you from penalties. Serious illness, bereavement, or unexpected tech failures could count. Find out how acting quickly helps and when to appeal. Read on to see if you qualify.

01/09/2026

Alert: Are your workers classified correctly? Missteps in employment status can bring unexpected tax bills, fines, and lost rights. Find out why reviewing this now could save your business trouble. Read on to see what you need to check.

01/09/2026

VAT registration just got a lot more interesting! Did you know you might reclaim VAT on some costs from before you were even registered? It could mean reclaiming VAT on goods bought up to four years prior and services up to six months earlier, but only if they're linked to your current business. Intrigued? Find out why this could impact your next VAT return and what special rules might affect you.

Businesses that register for VAT may be able to reclaim VAT paid on certain goods and services purchased before VAT registration.  There are specific time limits for claiming pre-registration VAT. VAT on goods can generally be reclaimed where the goods are still held by the business or have been us...

28/08/2026

Unlock confidence for your business funding journey with HMRC's advance assurance 🔓 Curious how this could boost investor trust? Find out why it matters now.

Businesses seeking investment through the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) or Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) can benefit from obtaining advance assurance from HMRC before approaching investors. Advance assurance allows a company to ask HMRC whether a proposed investment is likely to meet...

27/08/2026

Employers, did you know the official interest rate for beneficial loans just changed to 3.75% for 2026-27? This could mean tax tweaks for employees taking loans below this rate. Keeping track makes all the difference. Find out why this matters for your payroll and reporting.

Employers providing loans to employees or directors need to ensure they correctly calculate any taxable benefit using HMRC’s official rate of interest. Where a loan is provided at no interest or at a rate below the official rate, a taxable benefit may arise. These types of loans are referred to as...

26/08/2026

Alert for new businesses ⚠️ registering for Corporation Tax on time is crucial. Missed deadlines could mean penalties. Find out why this matters now and how to stay on track.

Companies and other organisations that are liable for Corporation Tax must ensure they register with HMRC at the correct time. Failing to register when required could result in missed filing obligations and potential penalties. Most limited companies can register for Corporation Tax when they are fi...

26/08/2026

Big news for sole traders and partnerships! Incorporation Relief can mean you defer your Capital Gains Tax when moving your business to a limited company. Wondering how this could affect your finances? Find out why it matters now and what you might need to consider before making a move. Read on to uncover the details and see if this could be a game-changer for your business tax planning.

When a sole trader or the partners in a partnership transfer a business to a limited company, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may arise. This is because business assets are normally treated as being transferred at their market value, which may be considerably more than their original cost. However, Incorpor...

25/08/2026

Tax relief can multiply your pension pot, employer contributions and smart pay options add up to more pension income for your future. Curious how it works? Find out why it matters now.

Receiving tax relief on pension contributions into a workplace pension is a great way to help prepare for retirement. In addition, contributions from your employer can make the pension savings even greater.  If you are automatically enrolled into a workplace pension a percentage of your earnings is...

25/08/2026

Missing a tax notification to HMRC could land you with a penalty. If you have overlooked a tax liability, stepping forward now could help reduce fines. Find out why acting fast matters and how your cooperation makes a difference. Read on to see what you need to know.

If you become liable to pay a tax or register for a tax that HMRC has not already been informed about, you must notify HMRC within the relevant time limit. Failing to do so can result in a financial penalty in addition to the tax and any interest due. A failure to notify can arise in