Seagrave French

19/03/2026

📢 This Week’s Business News - Have You Seen It Yet?

There’s a lot changing right now - and a few things coming up that could catch people out if you’re not prepared…

This week we’re talking about:
✔ Starting a business (and getting it right from day one)
✔ Payroll deadlines as we head into the new tax year
✔ New guidance for home working
✔ Fee increases coming in April
✔ And more…

💡 It’s a quick read, but could save you time, stress - and money.

https://tinyurl.com/4he3pfj8

👇 Want a copy? Drop us a message or comment below and we’ll send it over.

As always - we’re here if you need help 👍
Seagrave French

Helping you sleep soundly at night 😴

Welcome to our round-up of the latest business news for our clients. Please contact us if you want to talk about how these updates affect your business. We are here to support you! Starting Up in Business: A Practical Guide Have you reached a point where the idea of running a business feels like mor...

18/03/2026

⚠️ LAST CALL for business owners

The Inheritance Tax rules change on 6 April 2026 - and it could cost your family £1 million+.

The good news?

You can still act now and protect your business.

⏳ But we need time to get everything in place properly.

👉 Please contact us by 20 March 2026 if you want us to help you secure the current reliefs.

After that, it may be too late to implement safely.

See here for more detail ⚠️ LAST CALL for business owners

The Inheritance Tax rules change on 6 April 2026 - and it could cost your family £1 million+.

The good news?

You can still act now and protect your business.

⏳ But we need time to get everything in place properly.

👉 Please contact us by 20 March 2026 if you want us to help you secure the current reliefs.

After that, it may be too late to implement safely.

Click here to learn more https://tinyurl.com/yc4jcwy5

Seagrave French – helping you sleep soundly since 2015 💤

Why business owners must act before 20 March 2026 to secure valuable tax relief ⚠️ A major tax change is coming – and it’s being underestimated From 6 April 2026, the government is fundamentally changing how Inheritance Tax (IHT) applies to business owners. For years, trading businesses have...

11/03/2026

📬 Seen a strange tax code recently? You’re not alone…

At Seagrave French we’re starting to see the new HMRC tax code notices arriving, and something interesting is happening.

A lot of our clients who receive the State Pension are now being given K tax codes on their other income.

Why?

It’s mainly down to fiscal drag.

👉 The Personal Allowance has been frozen for years
👉 The State Pension keeps rising under the triple lock

This means the State Pension is now using up most (or sometimes all) of the Personal Allowance.

Because the State Pension is paid without tax deducted, HMRC collects the tax by adjusting the code on your private pension or PAYE income.

So if you suddenly see a K code appear, that’s probably the reason.

It doesn’t always mean a big tax bill — but it is worth checking the numbers are correct.

If you get a tax code notice and you’re unsure what it means, just send it over and we’ll happily take a look.

😴 Helping our clients sleep soundly at night is what we do best.

27/02/2026

It depends on how you earn your income. Here’s a simple breakdown 👇

🔹 Self-Assessment (sole traders, landlords, directors with dividends)

• 31 January – pay the tax you owe for the previous tax year (or your first payment on account)

• 31 July – second payment on account (if applicable)

⚠️ If you’re required to make payments on account, HMRC assumes you’ll earn a similar income again and asks for tax in advance. This often catches people out.

🔹 Limited Companies (Corporation Tax)

• Corporation tax is due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends

Example: If your year-end is 31 March, tax is due by 1 January.

📌 This is completely separate from your personal tax bill.

🔹 VAT (if registered)

• Usually due 1 month + 7 days after the end of each VAT quarter

• If you’re on the Flat Rate Scheme or Annual Accounting, dates can differ slightly

If you’re ever unsure whether you actually need to pay anything, your first stop should always be your Government Gateway account.

This is where HMRC shows what they think you owe, what’s been filed, and what’s coming up. If you haven’t already, make sure all relevant taxes are linked to your account (Self-Assessment, Corporation Tax, PAYE, VAT etc.).

The biggest issue? Most people don’t struggle with the tax; they struggle because they didn’t plan for when it was due.

Need help getting your finances in order? Use the link in our Bio to schedule a consultation today

25/02/2026

These are expenses I always claim as a Ltd company owner, not to be clever, but because HMRC literally allows them.

Claiming expenses properly isn’t about pushing boundaries.
It’s about understanding the rules, setting things up correctly, and not leaving money on the table.

If you’re unsure what you can (or should) be claiming, it’s probably worth reviewing your setup sooner rather than later.

24/02/2026

Thinking about making the jump from sole trader to a limited company?

It’s a big move and it’s not just about paying less tax.

Here are a few signs it might be time to consider it 👇

• Your profits are consistently growing (not just one good month)

• You’re paying a chunky amount of Self-assessment Tax and Class 4 NICs

• You’re thinking long-term (pensions, reinvesting profits, protection)

• You want a clearer separation between you and the business

And one big thing to keep in mind 👀

👉 MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment is coming in from April 2026.

That means quarterly reporting for sole traders and landlords over the £50,000 threshold.

This means more admin, more submissions, more pressure if your numbers aren’t organised.

For some people, incorporating before then makes sense.
For others, it absolutely doesn’t.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about timing, profit levels, admin tolerance, and plans.

If you’re unsure whether to stay a sole trader or switch to an LTD, that’s exactly the kind of conversation you should have with an accountant before making the leap.

23/02/2026

HMRC penalties are automatic, not negotiable, and rarely written off.

If you’re unsure whether you’re compliant, check now, not when the letter arrives.

💬 Need help reviewing your deadlines or filings?

That’s exactly what we help business owners stay on top of.

Comment or DM us the word "TAX" and we'll send you over some more information on how we can help

22/02/2026

Sunday scaries don’t mean you hate Mondays! They mean you’re going into the week unprepared.

A simple 45-minute Sunday reset can change everything:

clear your head, check your numbers, plan what actually matters, and start the week feeling calm and in control.

Save this playbook and try it this Sunday

19/02/2026

Profit doesn’t come from working harder; it comes from working smarter.

If you don’t know your numbers, pricing, or where money is leaking, growth won’t fix it.

These 5 steps are the foundation of a profitable business.

Simple. Practical. And actually doable.

What are you focusing on right now to increase your profitability?

18/02/2026

Starting a business is exciting…

running it well is where most people struggle.

The biggest mistake new founders make isn’t lack of effort, it’s waiting too long to get proper financial guidance.

Good accounting isn’t just about filing a tax return once a year.

It’s about:

• setting things up properly from day one

• understanding cash flow (not just profit)

• knowing what you owe before HMRC tells you

• building systems that actually support growth

Most of the problems we see later on could’ve been avoided with the right advice early.

If you’re serious about building something sustainable and want clarity instead of confusion, it might be time to stop guessing and start planning.

📅 Book a consultation and let’s talk through where you are, where you’re heading, and what needs tightening up next.

17/02/2026

If uncertainty around your tax bill causes stress, you’re not alone.

We include regular tax bill estimates so you know exactly where you stand - all year round.