R J Financial Accounting Services Ltd

29/12/2025

Looking forward to tonight game as programme sponsors. Come on Bluebirds!!

Wishing our Match Sponsors a warm welcome to our home fixture against Stevenage.

01/12/2025

30 November 2015 – I handed in my notice and walked out of my employed job for the last time. 1 December 2015 – Day 1 of RJ Financial.

Armed with nothing but a second-hand laptop, a Costa Coffee table, zero office, and a handful of very kind family & friend clients who believed in me… I officially started trading.

What happened next still feels surreal:
From that single wobbly table in Costa →
✅ 2 proper offices (Newport & Gloucester)
✅ 2 Directors – me and the brilliant Tanya Bridges-Mann
✅ A fantastic team of 12 (and every single one of them is a legend)
✅ Hundreds of incredible clients across the UK who now trust us with their businesses ✅ 10 years of non-stop growth none of us saw coming
I’m ridiculously proud of what we’ve built – a practice that’s still all about proper face-to-face relationships, straight-talking advice, and genuinely caring about our clients’ success.

Massive thank you to:
• Those first family & friends who were brave (or mad) enough to be my very first clients
• Every client who has joined us since and helped fuel this crazy journey
• Tanya and the entire RJ team – past and present – you make coming to work a joy
• My long-suffering family who’ve lived through a decade of me talking about tax at the dinner table

We’ve been making tax less taxing since 1 December 2015… and we’re nowhere near done yet.

Here’s to the next 10 years! ✕

Rob Jones Founder & Director – RJ Financial Newport | Gloucester | UK-wide

27/11/2025

https://www.rjfinance.co.uk/news

13/09/2025

What a fantastic day!Blaina RFC 300mile Charity Ride were proud to be a sponsor and be part of their 300-Mile Charity Ride, marking the start of their 150th year celebrations. Huge congratulations to all the cyclists who made it home safely after enduring every type of weather imaginable over the past few days – raising an incredible £15,000 (and counting!) for charity in the process. 🚴‍♂️💪

The day was topped off perfectly with a brilliant game of rugby 🏉 against Brynmawr. After trailing 3–13 at half-time, Blaina fought back to claim a hard-earned 20–16 victory.

A great cause, a great game, and a great community spirit – we’re delighted we could be a part of it!

28/03/2025

🐰🐣

27/03/2025

🚨 Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD ITSA) is coming! 🚨

Starting in April 2026, HMRC will introduce a new digital system for self-assessment taxpayers as part of the UK government’s plan to modernize the tax system. 🖥️💼

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ MTD for ITSA will be introduced in two phases:

April 2026 for those with qualifying income over £50,000.

April 2027 for those with qualifying income over £30,000.

✅ What does this mean?

You’ll need to submit quarterly updates to HMRC, keeping track of your income, expenses, and taxes.

You’ll also need to submit a final end-of-year declaration, which will replace the traditional tax return.

✅ How do you comply?

You’ll need compatible software to:

Keep digital records 📊

Send quarterly updates 📅

Submit your end-of-year declaration 📝

⚠️ Penalties will apply for non-compliance, so it's important to stay on top of the new rules.

👉 If you’re a self-employed individual or receive rental income, this will affect you! Start planning ahead, and make sure you're ready to use the right software to comply with MTD ITSA when it comes into effect.

Stay tuned for more updates and guidance on how to prepare for these changes! 📲

25/03/2025

📢 Important Update for Single Director Companies

From April 2025, single director companies that don’t qualify for Employment Allowance will face increases in National Insurance Contributions (NICs):

👉Employer NIC rate: Rising from 13.8% to 15%.
👉Secondary Threshold: Dropping from £9,100 to £5,000 per year — meaning you’ll pay NICs on more of your salary.

For many, this means a jump from £40 to £95 per month — and if you pay quarterly, you’ll notice the difference with an extra £285 to cover.

We get it — this might feel like an unfair hit. But after running the numbers, we can confidently say:

✅ It’s more tax-efficient to absorb the increase than to cut salaries or face a higher Corporation Tax bill.

We’ve done the thinking for you — this approach keeps you in the best financial position in the long run.

💬 Got questions or want to talk through your numbers? We’re here to help.

21/03/2025

It’s Odd Socks Day (March 21st), a fun way to show support for those with Down syndrome and raise awareness about inclusion and acceptance.

By wearing mismatched socks, we’re not only making a fashion statement, but also sending a powerful message that every person, no matter their differences, deserves to be seen and valued for who they are. 🧦💙

Today also marks World Down Syndrome Day, a global celebration of the lives, achievements, and abilities of people with Down syndrome. 🌍💛

So, let’s rock those odd socks, spread love, and celebrate the incredible people in our world with Down syndrome! 💙

20/03/2025

The first day of spring (March 20, 2025) might have specific implications in the accountancy world, primarily due to tax year end and other financial considerations. Here’s how it could be relevant:

👉End of the Financial Year for UK Tax Purposes (April 5):
While March 20 isn’t the end of the UK tax year (which is on April 5, 2025), it's still close enough to be a significant marker. Accountants may begin the final push to ensure businesses and individuals are ready for the end of the financial year. Preparations include:
Tax planning: Many accountants begin preparing their clients for the year-end tax planning process, ensuring any last-minute allowances, deductions, or reliefs are considered.
Income and expenditure review: A review of income, expenses, and profits to ensure there are no surprises when the tax year ends.
Assessing capital gains: For businesses or individuals with investments, accountants might be calculating potential capital gains tax liabilities or considering tax-efficient investment strategies before the end of the year.

👉Corporation Tax and VAT Deadlines:
Corporation Tax Filing and Payment: Businesses that follow the UK tax year for their financial reporting will need to ensure that their financial records are in order for their corporation tax filing deadlines. This means ensuring all accounts are prepared and filed in time for the year-end (March 31 for many businesses).
VAT Deadlines: VAT-registered businesses whose VAT quarters end at the end of the month may have reporting deadlines around the corner (e.g., VAT returns due by the end of the month for businesses with a March 31 VAT quarter end).

👉Annual Financial Statements:
March 20, 2025, would also be a time when many UK businesses are finalizing their annual accounts for the previous financial year (especially for those whose year-end is March 31). Accountants would be:
Closing the books for the year and preparing financial statements.
Ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
Preparing for the submission of accounts to Companies House (which is typically due 9 months after the year-end).

👉Pension Planning and Tax Reliefs:
The end of the UK tax year is a critical time for pension planning. Individuals and businesses may look to make contributions to pensions to take advantage of tax relief before the tax year ends on April 5. Accountants may advise clients on:
Maximizing pension contributions to reduce taxable income.
Ensuring that contributions are within the annual allowance limits.

👉Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT:
For VAT-registered businesses, this is a key time to make sure that they are compliant with the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, which requires businesses to submit their VAT returns through digital platforms. March 20 might prompt accountants to review businesses' compliance and help them prepare for MTD filing deadlines.

👉Spring Budget Considerations:
The UK Spring Budget is often delivered in March. While the exact date for 2025 has yet to be confirmed, any new changes announced in the budget would immediately impact accountants' planning for the year ahead. These changes could include:
New tax rates or reliefs.
Adjustments to national insurance contributions.
Changes to allowances and thresholds (e.g., income tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax).

In summary, while the first day of spring itself isn’t a direct accounting deadline, it marks a period of critical preparation and review in the lead-up to the end of the UK tax year on April 5. Accountants will be busy ensuring clients are ready for the financial year-end, maximising tax efficiency, and planning for the upcoming changes following the Spring Budget.

19/03/2025

💼 Looking to set up a workplace pension? 💼

We work with some of the top pension providers to make payroll and pension contributions smooth and stress-free — helping you stay compliant and support your team’s future!

✅ Penfold Pensions – Flexible, easy to manage, great for modern businesses.

✅ NEST Pensions – Government-backed, reliable, and straightforward.

✅ SMART Pensions – Tech-savvy, efficient, and user-friendly.

✅ The People’s Pension – One of the UK’s largest, built for businesses of all sizes.

✅ NOW Pensions – Affordable and accessible for employers and employees alike.

Need advice on which one suits your business best? Drop us a message — we’re here to help! 📩

18/03/2025

In addition to the increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for the 2025/26 tax year, the UK government has announced several significant payroll-related changes:

1️⃣ Employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
📈 Rate Increase: From 6 April 2025, the standard rate for employers' NICs will rise from 13.8% to 15%.
💸 Secondary Threshold Adjustment: The annual salary threshold for NICs will decrease from £9,100 to £5,000.

2️⃣ Employment Allowance
💡 Increased Relief: The Employment Allowance will rise from £5,000 to £10,500 per year, starting 6 April 2025, supporting small businesses.

3️⃣ Statutory Pay Rates
🏥 Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): SSP will increase from £116.75 to £118.75 per week, effective 6 April 2025.

4️⃣ Income Tax Rates and Thresholds
England & Northern Ireland:
Basic rate: 20% on earnings up to £37,700
Higher rate: 40% on earnings from £37,701 to £125,140
Additional rate: 45% on earnings above £125,140
Scotland: New tax bands ranging from 19% to 48%
Wales: Aligns with England & Northern Ireland rates

5️⃣ Abolition of Non-Domiciled Tax Regime
🔄 The non-domiciled tax status will be abolished, transitioning to a residence-based taxation system over four years.

6️⃣ Capital Gains Tax
💰 Rates will rise to 18% for basic-rate taxpayers and 24% for higher-rate taxpayers, aligning with property sale rates.

7️⃣ Inheritance Tax Thresholds
📅 The inheritance tax threshold will remain frozen until 2030, with pensions becoming part of the taxable estate from April 2027.

8️⃣ Business Rates & Other Taxes
🏢 Adjustments to Business Rates: Reductions for retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors from 2026.
🍻 Increased Duties: To***co, alcohol, and specific goods will see duty increases.

These 2024 Autumn Budget changes aim to boost public spending and adjust taxation, impacting both employers and employees. 📊 It's essential for businesses and payroll professionals to stay informed and update their payroll systems to comply with these new regulations. 📅

17/03/2025

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW) are key components of the UK's labor market regulations, designed to ensure fair wages and economic security for workers.

The NMW sets the minimum hourly rate employers must pay workers, depending on their age. The NLW, on the other hand, specifically applies to workers aged 23 and over, ensuring they receive a wage that supports a decent standard of living.

📅 (Current Rates) for 2024/2025 (Effective from April 1, 2024):
National Living Wage (23 and over): £11.44 per hour
National Minimum Wage:
- 23 and over: £11.44 per hour
- 21 to 22: £10.18 per hour
- 18 to 20: £8.60 per hour
- Under 18: £6.40 per hour
- Apprentice: £6.40 per hour

📅 (New Rates) for 2025/2026 (Effective from April 1, 2025):
National Living Wage 21 and over: £12.21 per hour
National Minimum Wage:
- 21 and over: £12.21 per hour
- 18 to 20: £10.00 per hour
- Under 18: £7.55 per hour
- Apprentice: £7.55 per hour

💼 Apprentices:

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they are either:
- Aged under 19
- Aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
Once they complete the first year, apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age group.

These measures aim to prevent exploitation, reduce income inequality, and enhance workers' well-being by guaranteeing a baseline level of compensation for labor. By regularly reviewing and adjusting these rates, policymakers seek to maintain fairness, dignity, and equity in the workforce while fostering a sustainable and inclusive economy.