Ashleys Chartered Certified Accountants

01/06/2026

The Government has announced a new Summer Savings Plan aimed at helping families with the cost of living and making summer activities more affordable.

Key highlights include:

✅ Reduced VAT on family-friendly attractions and activities
✅ Lower-cost meals for children at participating venues
✅ Cheaper travel options for families during the summer holidays
✅ Measures designed to help households keep more money in their pockets
✅ Support for local businesses and the wider economy

The initiative is intended to make summer days out and family activities more accessible while easing financial pressures for households. ‍🌞

Read more: https://buff.ly/MQujXCN

29/05/2026

If your child is aged 16-19 and still in education you can still claim Child Benefit.

Find out more below.

28/05/2026

From April 2027, unused pension savings will be included as part of your taxable estate for inheritance tax purposes. This means thousands more families could face an unexpected tax bill when passing on wealth to loved ones.

The good news? There are still legal and effective ways to reduce your inheritance tax liability, including:

✅ Gifting money during your lifetime
✅ Making use of pension and retirement planning
✅ Leaving money to charity
✅ Considering trusts or life insurance options
✅ Reviewing your estate and succession plans regularly

Inheritance tax planning can be complex, but taking advice early can make a significant difference for your family’s future.

If you’d like to understand how these changes could affect you, our team at Ashleys can help you review your options and put the right plans in place.

Get in touch to book in a consultation with our Hitchin team today.

27/05/2026

A reminder if you - or someone you know - is turning 18, they may have a Child Trust Fund waiting to be claimed.

If you're turning 18 this year, you could have an average of £2,200 waiting for you in a Child Trust Fund.

Want to know how to access yours? Click the link below. 👇

https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund?&utm_source=f.co_hmrcgovuk&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=child_trust_funds

26/05/2026

When it comes to tax, there are still lots of myths that business owners wrongly believe - here's our top five:

1️⃣ “Everything is tax deductible”
Unfortunately not! Just because it’s for your business doesn’t always mean HMRC agrees. Personal expenses disguised as business costs can cause problems later.

2️⃣ “I don’t need to keep receipts anymore”
Digital records are fine — but you still need proof of expenses. HMRC can ask to see evidence years later.

3️⃣ “Small businesses won’t get investigated”
HMRC checks businesses of ALL sizes. Good bookkeeping and accurate returns matter whether you earn £10k or £10m.

4️⃣ “Limited companies always pay less tax”
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The best setup depends on your income, profits, and future plans — there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

5️⃣ “I’ll sort my taxes at year end”
Leaving everything until January usually means more stress, missed savings opportunities, and possibly bigger accountant bills!

Good tax planning isn’t about avoiding tax - it’s about understanding the rules and making smarter financial decisions.

If you need expert tax advice, our Hitchin team is here to advise - book in a free initial consultation today.

22/05/2026

If you earn between £60,000 - 80,000 you can now pay the child benefit charge through HMRC’s digital service.

If you need any tax advice, get in contact with our Hitchin team.

Just had a baby? Congratulations! 👶🎉

If you or your partner earn between £60,000 and £80,000, you can still claim Child Benefit.

Our new digital service lets you pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge through your salary – no tax return needed.

For more information, search “High Income Child Benefit Charge” on GOV.UK or visit the link below. 👇

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-charge/pay-tax-charge-paye_?&utm_source=f.co_hmrcgovuk&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hicbc

21/05/2026

'Should I become a Limited Company?' is one of the common questions we hear from small business owners and sole traders.

The answer? It depends on your income, goals and how your business is growing.

Becoming a Limited Company can offer:
✅ Potential tax advantages
✅ Greater credibility
✅ Limited personal liability
✅ More flexibility as your business grows

But it also comes with extra responsibilities like:
📌 Annual accounts
📌 Corporation Tax returns
📌 Director responsibilities
📌 More administration

For some businesses, it’s absolutely the right move. For others, staying as a sole trader makes more sense - at least for now.

The important thing is making the decision based on proper advice, not guesswork.

If you’re wondering whether becoming a Limited Company could benefit you, we’re always happy to have a chat.

20/05/2026

Have your say on the future of Hitchin and North Herts…

We've begun the process of preparing a new Local Plan to ensure the district grows sustainably and meets new government requirements.

Our Local Plan is a key document which will be used to shape where new homes, green spaces, and community facilities should go, setting out how North Herts will grow and change in future.

The first chance to share your views is during the Scoping Document Consultation Stage which runs from 11 May to 28 June 2026.

We’re asking how you’d like to be involved, what you think the big local issues are - think housing, jobs, transport, climate, and thriving high streets - and how you think North Herts should look in years to come.

Full details, and how to take part can be found here: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/news/share-your-views-new-updated-local-plan

19/05/2026

Just a reminder that any schemes offering to save you tax are often too good to be true.

If you’re unsure about any tax saving schemes, get professional advice from a qualified accountant - our Hitchin team is happy to help.

18/05/2026

Small business owners: are you claiming everything you’re entitled to?

Many people miss allowable expenses every year — from home office costs to mileage and subscriptions.

If you’re unsure what you can claim, check before you submit — our Hitchin team is here to advise.

Book in a free initial consultation today.