Morris Accountancy Services

19/06/2026

Here is your regular little nudge to think about opening a separate business bank account if you don’t already have one!

If you have a limited company, you are legally required to have a separate business bank account.

But if you are a sole trader, freelancer or contractor not operating through a limited company, you’re not legally required to open a business account. I would, however, advise having a separate business account, especially if you’re already or soon to be complying with Making Tax Digital.

Under the MTD rules, there is no specific requirement for sole traders to have a separate bank account, however given that you will need to use compatible accounting software to submit quarterly returns, it makes sense to have a separate bank account which links into that software. It will make your life (and your accountant’s!) so much easier because you’ll know that the transactions in that account all relate to your business.

For other reasons to set up a separate business bank account, not related to MTD, read my blog post from May 2023 via the link in my bio.

If you don’t yet have either software or a business bank account, I’d recommend Mettle, as you get free FreeAgent access with a business account. I also personally rate Starling but check out Money Supermarket to see which account would suit your business needs.

15/06/2026

As we're coming up to the summer holidays, don't forget that you can use HMRC's Tax-Free Childcare scheme to help pay for childcare during school holidays, not just regular everyday childcare.

If you use holiday clubs, childminders or sports activities which are accredited by HMRC, you may be able to pay for them tax-free.

For every £8 deposited into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families receive an additional £2 from the government, capped at £500 every 3 months, or £1,000 if the child is disabled. This scheme is available for children aged up to 11, or 16 if the child has a disability.

Parents and carers can check more on the eligibility criteria and register for Tax-Free Childcare on the gov.uk website.

You can apply for an account at any time and start using it straight away.

Childcare providers can sign up for an account to be accredited on gov.uk to be able to receive payments from parents and carers via the scheme.

09/06/2026

We had a lovely lazy holiday in Kos. I had to do a little bit of work, but other than that I really switched off... I read 3 books!

I was happy to chill as it was really needed. The girls just wanted to go in our swim up pool every day!

Did you go away over half term?

02/06/2026

Tax-free mileage rates have been increased for the first time since 2011, from 45p to 55p.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced this change last week and the rate will be backdated to the start of the 26/27 tax year, 6th April.

So what does this mean? If you use your own vehicle or vehicles for work, you may be able to claim tax relief on the approved mileage rate. This covers the cost of owning and running your vehicle. You can't claim separately for things like fuel, electricity, road tax, MOTs, repairs but there is a set mileage rate.

The 55p rate applies for the first 10,000 miles per year, with a lower rate of 25p applying after that. This rate is for cars and vans. The rates for using a motorbike or bike have not changed, and stay at 24p and 20p per mile respectively.

Read more about the mileage allowance on the gov.uk website.

The rate increase was announced as part of a package of measures the government says is designed to help with the rising costs of living, including fuel duty being frozen, which could also help businesses.

Will this new rate affect you?

25/05/2026

Just a reminder that I'm now out of the office until 5th June.

We're going to Kos in Greece and I'm leaving the laptop behind for the first time ever!

Are you up to anything this half term?

22/05/2026

Are you married?…..Should you apply for marriage allowance?

Marriage allowance is the transfer of 10% of your tax free personal allowance to your spouse or civil partner. This remains £1,260 for this tax year.

For couples where one partner is earning less than their personal allowance, this could mean a potential tax saving of £252 (£1,260 × 20%), though it cannot be given as a repayment of tax.

If either partner is a higher or additional rate taxpayer you are not eligible and you must be married or in a civil partnership.

Your Personal Allowance will transfer automatically to your partner every year until you contact HMRC to cancel - for example if your income changes or your relationship ends.

Read more on my blog or on the gov.uk website.

Do you claim Marriage Allowance?

19/05/2026

Company directors are not legally required to take a salary, however it can make sense to do so.

A director's salary is a business expense and so reduces your company's Corporation Tax liability, meaning taking a salary can be a tax efficiency. If you receive a salary above the appropriate level, it can count as a qualifying year towards State Pension.

The balance of dividend payments to salary in tax efficiency terms has changed a lot in recent years, with the dividend allowance having been decreased year on year, now standing at only £500. This is in addition to your personal tax allowance of £12,570.

If you're a client of mine, speak to me about the most efficient salary to take as a company director. If you're not a client and would like to join my waiting list, contact me on [email protected]

16/05/2026

I’ve been saying Offerton needs this for so long! Finally I can meet clients locally! Best of luck with it Ranny’s.

The signage is up… IT’S OFFICIAL 🥳

We are T-2 weeks (should nothing go massively wrong) to opening our door and slinging out coffee’s in a way Hempshaw Lane has never seen before.

As well as posting the AMAZING work done from Today I also wanted to jump on here and introduce myself…
My name is Rhianne (The girl covered in paint, fluffy socks and a half ate butty in hand) I am 26 and have spent most of my adult life managing independent bars within Stockport before taking this leap and opening up a business I can call my own!

Beyond excited for this chapter to begin,
See you all soon!

Ranny’s x

14/05/2026

What accounting terms or HMRC jargon have you always wanted explaining but haven't known where to ask?

One of my business values is around education. I want people to understand the figures in their business, not just sign stuff they don't understand.

Another value is being friendly and personal. My clients often appreciate that I'm direct and clear.

So I'd love to be able to bring that clarity to some of the tax and accounting terms you're not sure about! So let me know in the comments, what would you like me to do a socials post on or even a blog post if it's a complicated topic? Hopefully I can make things clearer for you!

12/05/2026

I’ll be going away in a couple of weeks, from 26th May to 5th June and for the first time since I started Morris Accountancy Services nearly 8 years ago, I won’t be taking my laptop 😬!

Don’t panic, my team member Abby will be working and I’ll also be able to access my emails for anything urgent, but if you have routine questions you’d like to ask me, get those in now!

To my fellow self-employed people, do you find it hard to go on holiday without your laptop? Do you have any tips for me? I think I’ll feel like I’m missing a limb 🤣