Avin Accountants

Avin Accountants Avin is a firm of chartered certified accountants and registered auditors based in Watford, 78 Queen

Avin Accountants Expert Accountants in Watford Serving London & Herefordshire. Providing expert accounting and tax services to individuals, freelancers, and businesses across London and Herefordshire. Our comprehensive services include Accounting, Personal and Business tax planning, payroll, VAT returns, self-assessment tax & Company formations. With years of experience supporting clients from var

ious industries. Whether you're a sole trader in London or a small business in Herefordshire, Avin Accountants offers personalised support to help you stay compliant. Looking for reliable Watford accountants or accounting services in London and Herefordshire? Contact Avin Accountants today to book your free consultation.

Get rid of your HMRC self-assessment headache. Let us handle your tax return and advise you on the correct amounts to pa...
29/05/2026

Get rid of your HMRC self-assessment headache. Let us handle your tax return and advise you on the correct amounts to pay https://avinaccountants.com/

We have a wealth of experience dealing with HMRC enquiries, so you can sleep easy knowing your affairs are in order http...
28/05/2026

We have a wealth of experience dealing with HMRC enquiries, so you can sleep easy knowing your affairs are in order https://avinaccountants.com/

Corporation Tax Late Filing Penalties Have Doubled. From 1 April 2026, HMRC increased its fixed penalties for late Corpo...
28/05/2026

Corporation Tax Late Filing Penalties Have Doubled.

From 1 April 2026, HMRC increased its fixed penalties for late Corporation Tax returns for the first time since 1998. If you run a limited company, this change affects you directly.

Here's what the new penalties look like:

Filing just one day late now costs £200. Previously that was £100. If you're still late after three months, a second £200 penalty applies bringing the total fixed fine to £400. Companies that have filed late in each of the two previous years face even higher charges, up to £1,000.

These fixed penalties are separate from any tax-related surcharges, which can add a further 10% of unpaid tax at six months and another 10% at twelve months.

One more thing worth knowing: HMRC temporarily paused sending out penalty notices earlier this year while updating its systems to apply the new amounts correctly. That pause ends in June 2026 and automatic notices will start going out again from July. If there's an overdue filing sitting unresolved, there's a narrow window right now to get it sorted before the letters arrive.

https://bit.ly/49ywdqY

HMRC mileage rate rises to 55p: what you need to knowThe approved mileage rate for cars and vans has gone up and if you ...
27/05/2026

HMRC mileage rate rises to 55p: what you need to know

The approved mileage rate for cars and vans has gone up and if you use your own vehicle for work, this is directly relevant to you.

From 6 April 2026, HMRC's Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate for the first 10,000 business miles has increased from 45p to 55p per mile. It's the first increase since 2011 fifteen years at the same rate so it's a fairly significant change, even if the announcement got a bit lost in the noise last week.

What is the AMAP rate?
The AMAP rate is the amount you can claim tax-free for using your own car on business journeys. It applies whether you're self-employed and claiming mileage against your tax bill, or an employee being reimbursed by your employer. The rate covers fuel, wear and tear, and running costs all rolled into one simple pence-per-mile figure.

Above 10,000 business miles in a tax year, the rate drops to 25p per mile, and that hasn't changed. Motorcycle and bicycle rates (24p and 20p respectively) are also unchanged.

It's backdated so act now

The rate is backdated to 6 April 2026. That means if you've already logged business miles at 45p this tax year, you may have under-claimed. Now is a good time to review your mileage records and make sure you're using the correct figure going forward.

If you're employed and your employer hasn't updated their expenses policy yet, you could be out of pocket. Employees whose employers pay less than the AMAP rate can claim the shortfall through Self Assessment but you'll need evidence of the actual mileage, so keep that log up to date.

How much difference does it make?

More than you might think. At 8,000 business miles a year, the jump from 45p to 55p is worth £800 in extra tax-free reimbursement or deductions. For a sole trader on the basic rate, that's a real saving.

The golden rule: keep a mileage log

Whatever your situation, HMRC expects you to maintain a record of business journeys dates, start and end points, purpose of the trip, and miles covered. A simple spreadsheet works, or there are plenty of mileage tracking apps. Without it, any claim could be challenged.

If you're not sure whether you're claiming correctly, or if you want to review your position since the April change, we're happy to help. We work with self-employed individuals, contractors, and small businesses.

https://bit.ly/4dLYI6x

If you're a UK company director and haven't verified your identity with Companies House yet, it's worth doing this week....
26/05/2026

If you're a UK company director and haven't verified your identity with Companies House yet, it's worth doing this week.

Since November 2025, identity verification has been a legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. Existing directors have until their next confirmation statement (and no later than 17 November 2026) to complete it. New directors have to verify before they're even appointed.

The process itself is pretty straightforward, you can do it for free through https://bit.ly/2GjiVT7 One Login in a few minutes using a UK passport or driving licence.

If you'd rather not do it yourself, any accountant registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider can verify you and file a statement on your behalf.

What's worth noting is what happens if you don't. Companies House will eventually stop accepting filings from unverified individuals. That means you could be locked out of updating your own company's records changing a director, filing accounts, updating a registered address. It's one of those things that's easy to put off until it becomes urgent.

If you're a client of ours and want a hand with this, just give us a call. We're here in Watford and cover clients across London too.

Address

78 Queen's Road
Watford
WD172LA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441923803358

Website

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