Clark's Accountants Washington

05/01/2026

For Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA)
Once you hit the £50,000 in qualifying income is a key trigger for mandatory MTD for ITSA registration, which is being phased in.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

31/12/2025

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-free-allowances-on-property-and-trading-income

Find out about annual tax-free allowances for property or trading income and if you qualify.

31/12/2025

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

Find out about using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, including software choices and step by step guidance for sole traders, landlords, and their agents.

31/12/2025

https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/deadlines

Self Assessment tax returns - deadlines, who must send a tax return, penalties, corrections and returns for someone who has died.

31/12/2025

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/travel-and-overnight-expenses

Claiming tax relief on expenses you have to pay for your work, like uniforms, tools, travel and working from home costs.

31/12/2025

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

Claiming tax relief on expenses you have to pay for your work, like uniforms, tools, travel and working from home costs.

31/12/2025

https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles-
In the UK, WDA stands for Writing Down Allowance (a type of capital allowance) and is related to how businesses can claim tax relief on assets like vehicles. The mileage is an alternative, simplified method for claiming vehicle expenses.
You can generally use either the mileage allowance method or claim writing down allowances and actual running costs for a vehicle, but not both for the same vehicle.
Mileage Allowance (AMAPs)
The HMRC-approved mileage rates, known as Mileage Allowance Payments (MAPs) or Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs), are standard rates for using a personal vehicle for business journeys.
Vehicle First 10,000 business miles (per tax year) Each business mile over 10,000
Cars and vans 45p per mile 25p per mile
Motorcycles 24p per mile 24p per mile
Bicycles 20p per mile 20p per mile
An additional 5p per mile can be claimed for each passenger who is also a fellow employee travelling on business. These payments are tax-free up to the approved amount.
Writing Down Allowance (WDA)
Writing Down Allowances are a form of capital allowance that lets you deduct a percentage of the value of certain items, including business cars, from your profits each year. This method requires you to calculate actual running costs (fuel, insurance, repairs, etc.) rather than using the flat mileage rate.
The WDA rate for cars depends on their CO₂ emissions:
0g/km (electric): Qualifies for a 100% first-year allowance (FYA) if new, or 18% WDA if used.
1g/km to 50g/km: Main rate WDA (currently 18%).
Over 50g/km: Special rate WDA (currently 6%).
Key Point
You must choose which method to use for a specific vehicle:
If you claim the mileage allowance (AMAPs), you cannot also claim capital allowances (like WDA or AIA) for that vehicle.
If you claim actual running costs, you can also claim WDA on the vehicle's purchase price.
More detailed guidance is available on the official GOV.UK website for employees and the GOV.UK website for simplified expenses for the self-employed.

Use a simpler calculation to work out income tax for your vehicle, home and business premises expenses

28/08/2025

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-ready-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/benefits-of-making-tax-digital

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

28/08/2025

https://www.sage.com/en-gb/making-tax-digital/

The Sage Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment hub covers everything you need to know from key deadlines, to getting MTD-ready with our HMRC recognised accounting software. Make MTD simple, get started today.

26/08/2025

https://www.gov.uk/capital-allowances/annual-investment-allowance

Claim capital allowances so your business pays less tax when you buy assets - equipment, fixtures, business cars, plant and machinery, annual investment allowance, first-year allowances.

21/08/2025

1. Equity Value Will Be Considered
Previously, your main home was often excluded when applying for benefits. Under the new approach, the equity value of your property might affect entitlement to Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.

Example: If your property is worth £400,000+, but you apply for support, the DWP may now assess whether your home equity should be factored into the calculation.
2. Second Homes and Overseas Property Must Be Declared
If you own a holiday home, rental property, or overseas house, the value will directly impact your claim. Pensioners who fail to disclose this information risk losing benefits entirely.

3. Stricter Housing Benefit Checks
Housing Benefit rules for pensioners are tightening. Local councils working with the DWP will now investigate:

Whether your home is under-occupied.
If you have family support available before claiming.
Cases where property could potentially be rented out to generate income.
4. Impact on Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a lifeline for many low-income retirees. The DWP’s updated system now links HM Land Registry data with claims. This means if you own high-value property (or multiple homes), you may see a reduction or disqualification from Pension Credit.

5. Inheritance and Property Transfers Under Scrutiny
Some pensioners transfer homes to children or relatives before retirement to protect their benefits. Under the new DWP rules, such “deliberate deprivation of assets” will be closely monitored, and could disqualify claims.

What Does This Mean for Pensioners?
For many pensioners, these rules may feel like a financial squeeze. Retirees who once felt secure may now need to rethink their retirement plans.

Possible impacts include:

Reduced eligibility for housing-related support.
Increased financial pressure on homeowners with low income but high property value (“asset-rich but cash-poor”).
More paperwork and checks for future claims.

DWP Introduces New Rules on Home Ownership for UK pensioners. Check how property value impacts benefits, Pension Credit & eligibility in 2025.

13/08/2025

📢 Company directors and PSCs.

Identity verification will become a legal requirement from 18 November 2025.

Don’t leave it to the last minute!

Verify now to avoid potential delays and make sure company stays compliant: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verifying-your-identity-for-companies-house