Ruddocks and Co Chartered Certified Accountants

24/06/2026

Alert: Did you know your charity donations could stretch much further with tax relief? Whether you give £1 or £1,000, there's a way to boost your support without extra cost. Find out how Gift Aid and tax codes can maximise your impact – and who might claim even more back. Ready to make your money go that bit further? Read on to see how it works in everyday terms.

When you donate money to a charity or Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) under Gift Aid, the organisation can claim an extra 25p from HMRC for every £1 you give. This increases the value of your donation at no extra cost to you. If you pay higher

23/06/2026

Selling on eBay? Renting out a property on Airbnb? Making money through Etsy or Vinted?

HMRC may already know about it.

Under new reporting rules, online platforms are now sharing data directly with HMRC, giving them greater visibility of side income than ever before.

The biggest mistake people make is assuming that small amounts of income don't need to be declared.

For many side hustlers, that assumption could become expensive.

If you're earning extra income online, this is a video worth watching.

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23/06/2026

Tax codes aren't as straightforward as they seem. Did you know your tax code can change with new jobs, pensions, or benefits? Find out why that twist might affect your next payslip. Read on to see if your code is doing what it should.

Your tax code tells your employer or pension provider how much Income Tax to deduct from your pay. It is set by HMRC, and you may have a different code for each job or pension. Most people with one job (or pension) use the code 1257L, which reflects

22/06/2026

Alert: Selling shares or investments? Your profit might be taxed, but not all gains count. Find out what you need to watch for and how to stay ahead. Read on to understand what really matters when it comes to Capital Gains Tax.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax on the profit you make when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value. It is the gain itself that is taxed, not the total amount you receive. For example, if you buy shares for £3,000 and sell them

22/06/2026

Alert: Not all LLP members are taxed equally! Discover why some are treated like employees for tax and what it means for you. Find out why this matters now.

Members of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) are normally treated as self-employed for tax purposes. However, special rules can apply where a member's terms of membership are more akin to the terms of an employee than a partner in a traditional

19/06/2026

Many SMEs are missing out on R&D Tax Relief simply because they're unsure whether their work qualifies.

HMRC's new Advance Assurance Pilot aims to change that.

The scheme gives eligible businesses greater certainty before submitting complex R&D tax relief claims, helping reduce risk and increase confidence.

And it's not just for tech companies.

Construction businesses developing new methods, materials, or processes may qualify too.

If your business invests in innovation, this is worth understanding.

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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 penalties if you miss the deadline for making a filing or payment. There are also penalties if you fail to register on time for self-assessment. If you register late and

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 that invest in innovation and seek to make advances in science or technology. The scheme offers businesses the ability to invest in new technologies and scientific

17/06/2026

If you're a company director who files accounts yourself, this change affects you.

From 31 March 2026, HMRC and Companies House permanently closed their free joint online filing service.

From 1 April 2026, companies can no longer use the old CATO portal to file annual accounts and Corporation Tax returns.

That means every limited company will now need commercial software to submit filings.

For many micro-companies and one-person businesses, this is a significant change that few saw coming.

The worst time to find out is when your filing deadline arrives.

Watch this carefully if you run a limited company.

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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 traders and landlords who complete self-assessment returns. Liability to register depends on the level of “qualifying income”, which includes income from