What are the opening hours?

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

Dominic Hill Chartered Accountants

Home
United Kingdom
Eastbourne
Dominic Hill Chartered Accountants

We are a young and dynamic team of accounting professionals located in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

11/05/2026

Trivial benefits.

If you run a UK limited company, trivial benefits are one of the simplest ways to reward staff tax efficiently.

A trivial benefit is a small gift from the business that is exempt from tax and NI, provided a few conditions are met. The cost must be £50 or less per benefit, it cannot be cash or a cash voucher, it cannot be a contractual entitlement and it cannot be given in recognition of work performed.

Typical examples might include a birthday gift, flowers, a bottle of wine, or a small festive hamper.

Directors have slightly different rules in this area. If you are a director of a close company, the annual exemption is capped at £300 per tax year. In practice, that usually means up to six benefits of £50 each, although you do not have to use the allowance evenly.

Most owner managed companies in the UK are close companies, so this rule catches many directors. If the total goes over £300, the excess will not qualify for the exemption.

Used properly, trivial benefits are a useful planning tool, but the conditions matter. A £50 gift can be exempt; £50.01 cannot.

If you wish to discuss this area, please feel free to contact us.

[email protected]
01323649509

24/03/2026

We have a couple of empty offices at Archer House at the moment.

If you know of any businesses looking for premises, please feel free to share with them.

10/03/2026

If you are a estate or letting agent, you will know that Propertymark Client Money Protection isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It is about protecting your clients and your reputation.

As part of CMP membership, agents are required to undergo an independent client accounts examination each year. This examination provides assurance that client money is being handled correctly, kept separate from business funds and managed in line with Propertymark rules.

The examination focuses on areas such as:
Whether client money is held in appropriately designated accounts
If reconciliations are performed regularly and accurately
Whether balances held agree to client records

We work closely with estate and letting agents to guide them through the process and complete the examination efficiently and professionally. Our aim is not to catch agents out but to help them meet their obligations and pass the examination smoothly.

If your Propertymark examination is approaching and you want reassurance, feel free to get in touch.

[email protected]
01323649509

09/03/2026

Since the end of last year, we have been approached by a few of our clients who are actively exploring exit strategies and succession planning. We have supported three very different clients at various stages of the sale journey. Each one has clearly highlighed how important early preparation and specialist advice can be.

One client, a well-established maintenance firm, is preparing to go to market. This limited company has committed long-term contracts, significant operational expenditure and consistent but average profit margins. The key task for them will be recording the businesses potential clearly and accurately. We are currently working closely with them to ensure their financial records are transparent and sale-ready, while also assisting in identifying and engaging with potential purchasers.

Another case involves a group of retail companies where succession may come from within. One of the employees has approached the current owner with interest in completing a management buyout. In this instance, our role has been to prepare and supply detailed financial documentation, responding to due diligence requests and providing a valuation of the group to help facilitate negotiations.

Our third client demonstrates the additional complexities that arise with larger transactions. This business is heading towards a upper-double-digit million-pound sale. There are several complicating factors including minority shareholders, property assets and intellectual property assets. At this stage, we have been advising on the potential tax implications of a sale and identify opportunities for efficient structuring ahead of any deal.

Every business sale is unique but preparation is everything for everyone. Seeking advice early can significantly improve outcomes and reduce risk.

If you are considering selling your business, planning succession or simply want to understand your options, starting the conversation early can make all the difference.

[email protected]
01323649509

05/03/2026

How do you communicate information to your entire team in a way that feels respectful?

At Dominic Hill we have 30 staff and giving them updates in ways that doesn’t feel like we encroach on their time is important to us. How do we keep everyone in the loop without clogging up calendars or interrupting family time?

We have a WhatsApp group but only for out-of-hours urgent things (thankfully, those don’t come up often). It’s also been great for the occasional social update or quick update on a problematic alarm!

Day-to-day communication tends to happen by email because it lets people read and respond when they are actually in the office, rather than pinging them during their personal time.

Our communication with clients follows a similar pattern. We choose the method that best suits that particularly client. If they like Whatsapp, we use that. If they prefer email then we change to that. A simple phonecall is also an option some people choose.

We would genuinely love to hear from other leaders. What communication habits have worked well for you? Any tools, software or etiquette rules that your teams fine useful?

03/03/2026

CQC Viability statement.

We recently had a new client join us needing immediate help with a CQC viability statement.

A viability statement is a financial assessment submitted to the Care Quality Commission to demonstrate that a provider is financially sustainable. The CQC is looking for reasonable assurance that the service can continue to operate safely and withstand financial pressure.

For existing organisations, this usually means reviewing cash flow forecasts, funding arrangements and staffing costs as a minimum.

For new registrations or significant changes in ownership, this can be a bit trickier as there isn’t historical data for an accountant to review

The biggest issue we see is that many statements are either too optimistic, too vague or not properly supported by the underlying numbers. That can create unnecessary back and forth with the CQC and slow the registration process.

We help care providers by preparing and signing off realistic viability statements that have accurate financial data and aligned with CQC expectations. In addition to this, we explain the story behind the numbers in a way that gives regulators confidence.

If you are navigating a CQC application, then getting the financial side right from the outset makes all the difference.

[email protected]
01323649509

27/02/2026

At Dominic Hill we have around 25 clients who trade as v**e retailers and we have been closely monitoring the government’s planned tax on v**e products, set to take effect in October 2026.

While public health objectives are clear, the introduction of this new tax presents real commercial challenges for many small businesses in this sector. V**e shops have been operating in a highly competitive market with tight margins and this additional cost will inevitably impact pricing and overall cash flow.

For our clients, it has been difficult to plan. The prices are largely set by their suppliers and competitors with very little room for movement. However, we have been encouraging them to look at the things they can control such as expenditure on overheads and ensuring open communication with customers so they know what to expect.

We have become experts in this field over the last few years so if you run a v**e business or work with one, now might be the time to pick our brains to see if there is anything you need to do.

[email protected]
01323649509

**etax **e

25/02/2026

Making Tax Digital reminder!

From 6 April 2026, the first phase of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax comes into effect and it’s a big change for many UK taxpayers.

If you are self-employed or a landlord with annual business or property income over £50,000, MTD will apply to you.

If you are caught by the MTD rules you will need to:
Keep digital records of your income and expenses
Use HMRC-compatible software
Submit quarterly updates to HMRC
File an End of Period Statement and final declaration each year

The aim is to make tax reporting more accurate and up to date but choosing the right software, updating processes and understanding what HMRC expects all take time.

On a positive note, with the right setup and support, MTD can actually give you better visibility over your finances with fewer last-minute surprises.

If you are unsure whether MTD will apply to you or you would like help getting prepared well ahead of the deadline, now is the perfect time to start the conversation.

[email protected]
01323649509

23/02/2026

If you are waiting on an HMRC repayment from your Self Assessment then you are not alone as we have seen some long delays this year. While HMRC is working through the backlog, having an accountant on your side can make a huge difference.

We have seen clients receive their repayments faster when we have been actively chasing on their behalf. Small queries or missing payment information can hold up your repayment and HMRC don’t always flag these.

It can be frustrating but the key is to be proactive as sitting back and waiting usually doesn’t work.

If you have filed your Self Assessment and are waiting for a repayment, getting professional support can make a big difference as to when you will receive your money.

If you are unsure about the status of your repayment or just don’t want to deal with HMRC then we can help.

[email protected]
01323649509

19/02/2026

Tax Fee Protection Insurance

As accountants, one of our key tasks is to help our clients manage the risk of a HMRC investigation. Part of that support means anticipating potential challenges before they become costly problems and to combat that we offer Tax Fee Protection Insurance to our clients.

Tax Fee Protection Insurance is designed to protect our clients from unexpected professional fees arising from official enquiries and compliance checks by HM Revenue and Customs.

It covers enquiries into many taxes including Corporation Tax, Income Tax, VAT and PAYE/NIC. It could be for a compliance check, dispute or full enquiry. In some cases it could also cover IR35, Stamp Duty, Capital Gains tax and CIS.

It is available to a broad spectrum of clients including sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and anyone whose business could face HMRC scrutiny.

This type of cover helps reduce our clients’ financial risk and gives peace of mind that any questions from HMRC can be answered with the full support of their accountant.

For many of our clients, the relatively modest cost of protection is well worth the reassurance it provides.

If you would like us to review your current protection arrangements or provide a quote then please get in touch.

[email protected]
01323649509

Address

Archer House
Eastbourne
BN228PW

Opening Hours

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

Website

http://www.dominichill.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dominic Hill Chartered Accountants posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dominic Hill Chartered Accountants:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Accountant in Eastbourne?