Bell Stanley Accountants

06/04/2026

23/12/2025

🎄 Christmas & New Year Closure 🎄
Our office is now closed for the festive period.
We will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026.

We’d like to thank all our clients, friends and contacts for their continued support and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

26/11/2025

The much anticipated UK Budget – What You Need to Know as follows:-

Here are the key points you need to know:-

⭐ Economic Outlook
The OBR has increased the UK’s growth forecast for this year from 1% to 1.5%.
However, long-term productivity forecasts have been revised down – meaning a projected £16bn less in tax revenue by 2030.

⭐ Tax Changes
£26bn in tax rises announced.
Income Tax and NI thresholds frozen for an additional three years from 2028.
A new NI charge on salary-sacrifice pension contributions, plus a £2,000 cap from 2029.
Dividend, property and savings income tax rates increasing by 2 percentage points.
A new “mansion tax” from 2028 on homes valued at £2m+.
Va**ng and online gambling duties are also set to rise.

⭐Business & Investment
Corporation Tax remains the lowest in the G7.
40% first-year allowance introduced for business investment.
The ISA system will be reformed in 2027, with £8,000 ring-fenced for specific investments.
Billions committed to major infrastructure projects including the Lower Thames Crossing, Midlands Rail Hub, Trans-Pennine upgrades, and new regional funding packages.

⭐Welfare & Social Measures
The two-child benefit limit scrapped – estimated to lift 450,000 children out of poverty.
Youth employment guarantee: £820m invested in training, apprenticeships and job support.
State Pension rising 4.8% under the triple lock.
£300m for NHS technology plus 250 new community health centres planned.

⭐Cost of Living
Scrapping the eco-scheme means £150 off average household energy bills from April.
Fuel duty cut extended to 2026.
A mileage-based tax for EV drivers coming in 2028.
The electric car grant extended to 2030.
National Living Wage rising to £12.71.

As with all these measures, the devil is often in the details which is yet to be released but if give you a flavour of the changes.

25/08/2025

We are open tomorrow at9am
Have a great bank holiday.

09/04/2025

Coming to a shop near you soon 😆😆

18/03/2025

💼 Self-Employed? Let’s Talk Expenses You Can Claim! 💸

As an accountant, I know how important it is to make every penny count, especially when you're self-employed. The good news? You might be able to claim back some of your business expenses and reduce your tax bill. Here's a quick guide to what's typically allowable:

📋 What Can You Claim?

Travel Costs: Fuel, public transport, and even accommodation if you’re traveling for work.

Office Supplies: Pens, paper, postage—if it helps you work, it’s likely claimable.

Work Space: If you work from home, you can claim a portion of your rent/mortgage, utility bills, and internet costs.

Professional Fees: Accountant fees (yes, hiring me is deductible!), subscriptions, or memberships related to your industry.

Marketing & Advertising: Flyers, Facebook ads, website hosting—if it promotes your business, it can count.

Equipment & Tools: Computers, machinery, or tools necessary for your trade.

Training Costs: Any courses or training directly related to improving your business skills.

Remember, expenses need to be wholly and exclusively for business use to qualify. Mixing personal and business? You’ll need to figure out the correct proportion to claim.

💡 Need Help? Tax rules can be tricky, but that's where I step in! If you want to ensure you're claiming everything you're entitled to (while staying on HMRC's good side), don’t hesitate to get in touch. Let me handle the numbers, so you can focus on growing your business!

21/02/2025

💼📆 **Missed the 31 January Tax Deadline? Here’s What to Do Next!** 📆💼

If you didn't manage to file your tax return by 31 January, don't panic. It happens to the best of us! Here's a step-by-step guide to getting back on track:

1. **File ASAP**: The sooner you file, the smaller your penalties will be. Aim to submit your return as soon as possible.
2. **Know the Penalties**: You’ll face a £100 late filing penalty. After three months, additional daily penalties of £10 will apply (up to a maximum of £900). After six months, there’s an additional £300 or 5% of the tax due, whichever is higher.
3. **Interest on Late Payments**: HMRC charges interest on any unpaid tax from 1 February until it’s paid. So the quicker you settle, the less interest you’ll accumulate.
4. **Set Up a Payment Plan**: If you’re struggling to pay your tax bill, contact HMRC to discuss setting up a payment plan through their Time to Pay service.
5. **Seek Professional Advice**: We’re here to help! Reach out if you need guidance on filing your return or understanding your options.

Remember, it’s never too late to take action. Let’s get your tax affairs sorted!

☎️ 01626 778902
☎️ 01626 437797
📧 [email protected]

16/12/2024

🎅 🎄 CHRISTMAS CLOSING DATES 🎅 🎄

30/10/2024

Rachel Reeves delivered the first budget as the first female chancellor.
Out highlights are as follows:-

✅National insurance Contributions
Employers national insurance contributions by 1.2% to 15% from 6 April 2024. There will be no change for employees NIC.

✅ The secondary threshold for National Insurance reduces from £9,100 to £5,000. So employers pay more NI on the same salary and at a higher rate.

✅Employment allowance will increase from £5,000 to £10,500. This is the exempt/threshold of employers element of NIC which will soften the blow of the 1.2% increase.

✅Income tax personal allowance threshold remain the same until 2028/29 tax year when they will increase will inflation.

✅Corporation Tax - the rates of corporation tax will remain frozen for the next5 years.

✅Non-Domiciletax status will be abolished

✅Stamp duty land tax, second homes increase in stamp duty surcharge to 5% from 3%.

✅Capital Gains Tax will be increased. The lower rate will be raised from 10% to 18%, while the higher rate will rise from 20% to 24%. Residential property rates remain at 18%/24%. Business Asset disposal relief, maintained, the 10% rate increasing to 14% 25/26 and 18% 26/27.

✅ Inheritance Tax, The government will extend a freeze on the threshold for inheritance tax to 2030, allowing £325,000 to be inherited tax free, plus £175k on the home if inherited. Inherited pensions will no longer be IHT free.

✅The National Minimum wage and National Living Wage for over-21s, will increase by 6.7% to £12.21 per hour.

✅Fuel duty the 5p fuel duty discount is extended next year.

✅Business Rates - For Leisure, retail and hospitality -a 40% discount up to £110k from 25/26.

If you have any queries or would like to know how this affects you, please feel free to contact us on:-

01626 778902
01626 437797
[email protected]