Charlton Baker

Charlton Baker Your expert blend. Accounting, taxation, business and legal services all in one place Helping businesses make the right decisions at the right times.

Our vision is to be recognised as a team which has helped to change the face of accountancy and which has helped to change the lives of others along the way.

Exporting isn’t just for larger organisations anymore; it’s a practical, accessible route to growth for many ambitious S...
23/06/2026

Exporting isn’t just for larger organisations anymore; it’s a practical, accessible route to growth for many ambitious SMEs.

With the right approach, it could help you reach new markets, reduce reliance on a single customer base and unlock new revenue opportunities.

But knowing where to start can be the biggest barrier.

At Charlton Baker, we support businesses with the detail behind international growth - from structuring your business for overseas trade, to managing the tax implications, and keeping cash flow on track as you expand.

Discover how exporting can help small businesses grow by reaching new markets. Learn the benefits, challenges and expert advice from Charlton Baker.

Disposing of property overseas isn’t just a transaction - it’s a tax event that can affect your wider financial position...
18/06/2026

Disposing of property overseas isn’t just a transaction - it’s a tax event that can affect your wider financial position.

For UK residents, Capital Gains Tax typically applies to gains made on foreign property. Add in overseas tax rules, different reporting obligations, and residency considerations, and it’s easy to see where complexity creeps in.

What matters:
- Your UK tax status determines whether CGT applies
- Your total income affects the rate you pay
- Not all costs are treated equally, improvements count, repairs don’t
- Double taxation agreements can help prevent being taxed twice.

It’s about getting the full picture early, not dealing with surprises later.

Selling overseas property as a UK resident? Learn how Capital Gains Tax applies, what reliefs are available, and how to avoid double taxation with expert insight from Charlton Baker.

The government’s 'Backing Your Business' programme highlights some of the biggest challenges facing SMEs right now - lat...
17/06/2026

The government’s 'Backing Your Business' programme highlights some of the biggest challenges facing SMEs right now - late payments, rising costs, and the need to embrace digital change.

On paper, there’s a lot to be encouraged by:
- Stronger support for recovering overdue payments
- A clear push towards digital tools and real-time data
- Greater access to funding and export opportunities.

But we see every day that success doesn’t come from policy alone.

It comes from understanding your business inside out - having accurate, up-to-date financial information, strong cash flow planning, and the confidence to make decisions quickly.

That’s where we focus our support, helping you turn financial data into clear, practical action.

If this is something you’re currently thinking about, we’d love to have a conversation.

Learn how the UK Government’s Backing Your Business programme supports SMEs with late payments, digital adoption and growth. Discover practical steps with Charlton Baker.

From April 2026, tax reporting changes from a once-a-year task to a continuous process. That’s the reality of Making Tax...
16/06/2026

From April 2026, tax reporting changes from a once-a-year task to a continuous process. That’s the reality of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

For businesses relying on manual records, this shift can quickly increase admin and cost. Quarterly submissions require clean, structured data - not a last-minute reconciliation.

But approached the right way, MTD creates real advantages:
- Lower compliance costs through better record-keeping
- Reduced risk of HMRC enquiries
- Real-time insight into business performance

This is where the opportunity sits. With accurate, up-to-date data, compliance becomes just one part of the picture and better decisions become possible.

MTD isn’t just a regulatory change. It’s a chance to modernise how your business operates.

Find out how to prepare and how Charlton Baker can help:

MTD for Income Tax starts in April 2026. Learn how to reduce compliance costs, avoid HMRC issues, and simplify quarterly reporting with Charlton Baker’s expert guidance.

More people are building income from multiple sources - but with that comes added complexity.A few key points to keep in...
11/06/2026

More people are building income from multiple sources - but with that comes added complexity.

A few key points to keep in mind:
- You only get one Personal Allowance (£12,570 for 2025/26), no matter how many jobs you have
- Your main job usually uses the allowance, meaning second incomes are often fully taxed
- Even short-term or casual work feeds into your overall tax position
- If you’re earning from a side business, Self Assessment may be required.

Getting your tax position right early avoids unnecessary surprises later.

Learn how Income Tax works if you have more than one job. Understand tax codes, Personal Allowance and Self Assessment requirements with expert guidance from Charlton Baker.

Reducing your tax bill doesn’t need to be complicated.If you’re self‑employed, claiming allowable expenses is one of the...
10/06/2026

Reducing your tax bill doesn’t need to be complicated.

If you’re self‑employed, claiming allowable expenses is one of the most effective ways to improve your position, yet it’s where many people fall short.

Here’s what’s worth knowing:
- You can claim costs used wholly and exclusively for your business
- This includes office costs, travel, marketing, premises and staffing
- If you work from home, a portion of household costs may also be claimed

The difference between under‑claiming and over‑claiming matters - both can cost you.

At Charlton Baker, we focus on getting that balance right, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Discover which expenses self-employed individuals can claim to reduce their tax bill. Learn HMRC rules, common deductions and working from home allowances with Charlton Baker.

When it comes to planning for the future, pensions are still one of the most tax-efficient tools available, but many peo...
09/06/2026

When it comes to planning for the future, pensions are still one of the most tax-efficient tools available, but many people don’t realise just how flexible they can be.

With the right approach, you can:
• Reduce the true cost of saving through tax relief
• Make use of generous annual allowances
• Bring forward unused allowances from previous years
• Access part of your pension tax-free when the time comes.

Explore how to make it work for you:

Learn how pension tax relief, annual allowances, and carry forward rules can boost your retirement savings. Expert guidance from Charlton Baker.

VAT & Property: is opting to tax the right move?For businesses with commercial property interests, opting to tax can be ...
04/06/2026

VAT & Property: is opting to tax the right move?

For businesses with commercial property interests, opting to tax can be a powerful lever - but it’s not a decision to take lightly.

It allows you to recover VAT on key costs such as:
- Acquisition and development
- Refurbishment works
- Professional fees

But there’s a trade-off. Charging VAT on rents or sale prices can impact tenant demand and overall property value - especially where the other party can’t recover VAT.

Before making the call, there's a lot to think about. Explore our VAT property guidance:

Understand VAT opting to tax on commercial property, including benefits, risks and HMRC rules. Expert guidance from Charlton Baker’s VAT specialists.

When it comes to Inheritance Tax planning, gifting assets isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.If you give someth...
03/06/2026

When it comes to Inheritance Tax planning, gifting assets isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.

If you give something away but still benefit from it, HMRC may class it as a Gift with Reservation of Benefit (GWROB), and treat it as still being part of your estate.

That means:
- The usual 7-year rule for gifts may not apply
- The asset could remain fully taxable, regardless of how long ago it was gifted
- Simple arrangements - like staying in a gifted property rent-free - can trigger it.

There are ways to structure things correctly, but they need careful thought, proper documentation and a clear understanding of the long-term implications.

Understand how Gifts with Reservation of Benefit (GWROB) impact Inheritance Tax. Learn key rules, examples, and how to plan effectively with expert advice.

Late payments remain one of the biggest pressures for growing businesses - tying up cash, consuming time and creating un...
02/06/2026

Late payments remain one of the biggest pressures for growing businesses - tying up cash, consuming time and creating unnecessary uncertainty.

Proposed new legislation aims to tackle the issue more directly, including:
- A requirement for larger businesses to pay smaller suppliers within 60 days
- Mandatory interest on overdue invoices
- Stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner.

These changes could improve payment behaviour - but in reality, strong cash flow still starts internally.

We’re seeing that simple steps can make a lasting difference:
- More proactive credit control
- Clear, consistent invoicing
- Better visibility over debtors
- Practical cash flow forecasting

It’s not about complexity - it’s about staying in control.

Find out how we support businesses in building stronger financial foundations:

Charlton Baker | Accountants providing tax advisory and business advisory services in Devizes, Bath, Bristol, Trowbridge, Clifton, Melksham, Marlborough, Wantage, Thatcham

Address

7-7c S***f Street
Devizes
SN101DU

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

01380 723692

Website

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