Dalton Smith Accountants

19/06/2026

Missed your self-assessment tax deadline? Penalties could stack up fast – from initial fines to daily charges. Find out why paying on time really matters and how to avoid unexpected costs. Read on to stay ahead.

If you are required to complete a self-assessment tax return, HMRC may charge

18/06/2026

Do you still use your personal bank account for business transactions? 🤔

It's one of the most common things I see with new self-employed businesses and sole traders.

While it's not always a legal requirement to have a separate business bank account, it's something I strongly recommend.

Here are 5 reasons why:

✅ Makes bookkeeping easier
Keeping business and personal transactions separate saves time and makes it much easier to keep accurate records.

✅ Gives you a clearer picture of your business
When personal spending isn't mixed in, you can quickly see what your business is earning, spending and retaining.

✅ Reduces stress at tax time
No more searching through bank statements trying to remember whether a transaction was business-related.

✅ Helps you save for tax
A separate account makes it easier to set money aside regularly, helping you avoid unexpected tax bills.

✅ Looks more professional
Having clients pay into an account in your business name can help build credibility and trust.

💡 Top tip: Consider opening a separate savings account alongside your business account and transferring a percentage of your income into it each month to cover future tax liabilities.

Sometimes the simplest changes can make the biggest difference to how smoothly your business finances run.

Do you keep your business and personal finances separate, or is this something you're planning to do?

18/06/2026

Alert for UK businesses: Have you explored claiming R&D tax relief yet? It could open doors to investing in new tech and scientific advances. Find out why it matters for your company now and what counts as eligible projects. Read on to see if your innovation could qualify.

Research and Development (R&D) tax relief is designed to support companies

17/06/2026

Alert for sole traders and landlords: new income thresholds mean more people will need to join Making Tax Digital soon. It's essential to check your latest self-assessment and be ready. Want to know what this means for you? Read on to find out why it matters.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is being rolled out in stages for sole

17/06/2026

Alert: Missing years on your National Insurance record could impact your State Pension. Could topping up with voluntary contributions be worth it? Find out why you should check your NI credits and pension forecast before deciding. Read on to see if this applies to you.

Many people are unaware that gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record can

16/06/2026

Alert for property owners: If you hold high-value UK homes through companies or certain partnerships, you could be facing a tax charge based on the property's worth. Curious to see where your property fits in? Read on to discover the current thresholds and what this means for you.

The Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) is a charge that applies to certain

16/06/2026

Alert: Selling property abroad could mean unexpected UK tax charges. Whether you're gifting, selling, or transferring ownership, understand your Capital Gains Tax duties. It's not just the UK to think about. The other country's taxes might bite too. Find out why these rules could affect you and what costs can reduce your tax bill. Read on to get ahead before you make a move!

UK residents are generally liable to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when they dispose

12/06/2026

Getting your accounts wrong isn’t just stressful. It’s expensive.
Here’s what poor financial management actually costs business owners:

❌ Overpaying tax because expenses aren’t recorded properly
❌ HMRC penalties for late or inaccurate returns
❌ Cash flow crises because nobody flagged the warning signs early enough
❌ Missing out on growth because the numbers weren’t there to make a confident decision

The businesses I work with don’t just stay compliant — they make better decisions because they actually understand their numbers.

That’s the difference between an accountant who files your return and one who’s genuinely in your corner.

Which one have you got? 👇

📩 Free discovery call — link in bio.

12/06/2026

📦 Selling on eBay, Vinted, Etsy, Airbnb or other online platforms?

There's been a lot of confusion around the new reporting rules, with many people worrying they'll automatically have to pay tax on items they sell online.

The reality is that the reporting requirements have changed, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll owe tax.

Whether you're clearing out unwanted items, running a side hustle or earning income through online platforms, it's important to understand when tax may apply and when it doesn't.

Don't assume you'll get a tax bill – but don't ignore the rules either. 💷

A reminder that the tax rules for how online platforms report seller information

11/06/2026

💡 Self-employed? You could be paying more tax than you need to.

Many business owners miss out on claiming allowable expenses that could reduce their tax bill and leave more money in their pocket.

From software subscriptions and travel costs to professional fees and working from home expenses, it's important to know what you can claim.

A quick review of your expenses could make a bigger difference than you think. 💷

If you are self-employed, claiming all of your allowable business expenses can