Heriot Hughes Chartered Accountants

05/06/2026

🚗 HMRC Mileage Rates Increased for the First Time in 15 Years

In a welcome announcement, the Government has increased the approved mileage rate for cars and vans from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles travelled each tax year. The change is effective from 6th April 2026 and will be applied retrospectively.

This is the first increase to the approved mileage allowance rate since 2011 and reflects the significant rise in motoring costs over recent years. The rate for business mileage over 10,000 miles remains unchanged at 25p per mile.

For employers, now is a good time to review mileage reimbursement policies and consider whether payroll adjustments may be required. Employees and self-employed individuals who use their own vehicles for business travel could also benefit from higher tax-free mileage claims.

If you'd like to understand how these changes may affect your business or mileage claims, get in touch with our team.

The headline authorised mileage rate for approved mileage allowance payments (AMAPs) has increased to 55p per business mile from 6 April 2026. This is part of a government package of measures intended to address rising fuel prices.

04/06/2026

📢 Businesses offering family activities this summer – are you prepared for the temporary VAT reduction on children's tickets and meals?

The Government's announcement aims to help families enjoy more affordable days out during the summer holidays, which is welcome news for many households. However, the changes may also create practical challenges for businesses.

From updating booking systems and pricing structures to ensuring the correct VAT treatment is applied to tickets, meals, and package deals, businesses will need to review their processes carefully. Staff training, customer communications, and accurate record-keeping will also be essential to ensure compliance.

If your business offers activities for children and families, now is the time to assess how these temporary changes could affect your operations and take steps to prepare before the busy summer season begins.

Free Xero Training Contact Us Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Instagram VAT Services VAT Services at Heriot Hughes Need Assistance with VAT? VAT compliance is intricate, extensive and it is easy to misinterpret the regulations. Our VAT services can provide peace of mind, knowing that your tax obligat...

05/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Party Season is Nearly Here!

If you’re planning a festive celebration for your team, don’t forget the tax and expense rules around Christmas parties and staff events.

We’re here to help you:
- Understand what’s allowable
- Stay compliant with HMRC guidelines
- Avoid unexpected bills or penalties

Get in touch with us before your party season kicks off to make sure everything is in order — and enjoy the celebrations stress-free!

02/12/2025

Are You Ready for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax?

Around 2.9 million sole traders and landlords will soon be affected by MTD, one of the biggest changes to tax reporting in years. From April 2026, digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions will become mandatory for many businesses.

Our latest blog breaks down:
- What’s changing
- When it’s happening
- How to get prepared

Make sure your business is ready — early preparation makes the transition much smoother!

https://www.heriothughes.co.uk/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-are-you-ready/

27/11/2025

Email from Heriot Hughes Chartered Accountants Autumn Budget 2025 Good morning, I hope you are keeping well. Welcome to the Budget 2025 edition of our client newsletter. On 26 November 2025, Chancello

26/11/2025

Today’s the Day: Autumn Budget 2025! 🍂💼

The budget has just been announced. Once our team has had the opportunity to digest the details, we’ll be in touch with our clients to share our insight and analysis on what it means for your business.

Stay tuned, and if you’re not already signed up, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter to get updates directly.

21/11/2025

🚀 New Blog Post! 🚀

Planning for the long-term? Our latest article, “Preparing Your Business for Life Beyond You,” dives into how to build a legacy, protect your business, and plan for succession — so your hard work lives on.

If you're thinking about your company’s future, this one's for you.

7 Reasons to Complete Your Self Assessment Sooner Rather Than Later If you’re self-employed or need to file a Self Assessment tax return for the 2024/25 tax year, the deadline of 31 January 2026 might feel like ages away. But trust us—getting it done early is one of the smartest financial moves ...

19/11/2025

We’re receiving lots of questions from clients about how next week’s budget may—or may not—impact them.

We’ll be sharing our thoughts and insights shortly after the announcement, so to stay up to date, we recommend signing up to our newsletter if you haven’t already. Sign up here: https://www.heriothughes.co.uk/contact/

19/11/2025

If you’re self-employed or need to file a Self Assessment for the 2024/25 tax year, the 31 January 2026 deadline might feel far away… but getting it done early could save you stress, mistakes, and even money! 💼💰

In our latest blog, we share 7 solid reasons to file your Self Assessment now, not later. From avoiding last-minute stress to better cash flow planning, it’s full of tips that could make a big difference. Don’t leave it to the last minute—your future self will thank you!

7 Reasons to Complete Your Self Assessment Sooner Rather Than Later If you’re self-employed or need to file a Self Assessment tax return for the 2024/25 tax year, the deadline of 31 January 2026 might feel like ages away. But trust us—getting it done early is one of the smartest financial moves ...