Ascendis UK

Ascendis UK Ascendis provides pro-active accounting services, practical business & tax planning advice to help yo

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is in full swing, but confusion remains over who is genuinely exempt and what the rule...
28/05/2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is in full swing, but confusion remains over who is genuinely exempt and what the rules actually require.

Recent guidance from HMRC has cleared much of this up - and with the first submission deadline of 7 August 2026 fast approaching, now is the time to understand your position.

HMRC’s guidance confirms that certain individuals are automatically exempt from MTD for Income Tax, including those who are not physically or mentally able to submit digital records, those without a National Insurance number, and certain non-resident taxpayers who file using supplementary pages.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Rising costs are hitting UK businesses from all directions, and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible.New r...
27/05/2026

Rising costs are hitting UK businesses from all directions, and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible.

New research from the Liquidation Centre found that 315,605 jobs have already been flagged for redundancy this year alone as employers look for ways to manage mounting expenses.

But redundancies are not the only path through a difficult financial period - and for many businesses, they may not even be the right one. Cutting headcount can ease short-term pressure while creating longer-term problems around capacity, morale and recovery.

Building greater resilience offers a different route - one that can become a genuine competitive advantage rather than a damage limitation exercise.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

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Self-employed? Don’t forget - your second payment on account for 2025/26 is due 31 July 2026.This is typically half your...
20/05/2026

Self-employed? Don’t forget - your second payment on account for 2025/26 is due 31 July 2026.

This is typically half your previous year’s tax bill. But if your income has dropped this year, you can apply to reduce it - no need to overpay and then wait for a refund.

It’s worth reviewing this now rather than scrambling in July.

We can help you check the figures and apply for a reduction if it makes sense.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Business rates anxiety has hit its highest level in nine years - and firms want actionConcern about business rates has r...
20/05/2026

Business rates anxiety has hit its highest level in nine years - and firms want action

Concern about business rates has reached its highest point since the British Chambers of Commerce began tracking the issue in 2017.

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the first quarter of 2026 found that 41% of businesses cited cost pressure from business rates as a significant concern – a record high and a clear signal that the issue can no longer be deferred.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

⚠️ Important deadline for UK businesses: 6 July 2026If your company has issued shares, granted options, or operated shar...
06/05/2026

⚠️ Important deadline for UK businesses: 6 July 2026

If your company has issued shares, granted options, or operated share plans involving employees or directors this tax year - you may have an Employment-Related Securities (ERS) filing obligation with HMRC.

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ A return is required even if no reportable events took place (a nil return)
✅ HMRC will NOT send reminders — the responsibility is yours
✅ Late filing results in automatic penalties
✅ Online registration can take several weeks, so act early

Key dates:
→ 31 May 2026 - Contact us if you’d like our support
→ 6 July 2026 - HMRC filing deadline

At Ascendis, we can confirm whether you have an obligation, handle your HMRC registration, and prepare and submit your return on your behalf.

If you think this may apply to your business, or if you are simply unsure, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The sooner we hear from you, the more time we have to ensure everything is filed correctly and on time.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Most business owners haven’t actually done anything yet for the new tax year.Which is normal - but it’s also where the o...
29/04/2026

Most business owners haven’t actually done anything yet for the new tax year.

Which is normal - but it’s also where the opportunity is.

What you do in April/May tends to have the biggest impact on your tax position for the rest of the year.

5 things worth locking in before May ends:

✅ Reset your salary vs dividends (small tweaks = big yearly impact)

✅ Use your pension allowance early (still one of the most efficient routes)

✅ Don’t waste your ISA allowance

✅ Plan profit extraction - don’t just take dividends ad hoc

✅ Align remuneration with your longer-term plans (especially if you’re thinking about an exit)

None of this is complicated - but leaving it until later usually costs more than people expect.

If you’d like to sense-check your position or talk through any of the above, get in touch today:
• [email protected]

Scaling a business isn’t just about growing revenue - it’s about building the structure to support it.Here are our 10 to...
16/04/2026

Scaling a business isn’t just about growing revenue - it’s about building the structure to support it.

Here are our 10 top tips for scaling successfully:

✅ Clear growth plan
✅ Strong leadership team
✅ Data-led decisions
✅ Early funding strategy
✅ Diversification opportunities
✅ Right people in the right roles
✅ Customer-first mindset
✅ Streamlined operations
✅ Flexibility in strategy
✅ Trusted partners and advisers

Scaling successfully is about building a business that is ready for growth – not just chasing it. With the right strategy, people, and support in place, expansion becomes a structured, sustainable journey.

For tailored advice on scaling your business, speak to the Ascendis team on 0161 359 4227 or email [email protected]

Read more on our blog (Link in bio).

Early action gives you more options.Deciding how to protect and transfer your wealth is one of the most important choice...
15/04/2026

Early action gives you more options.

Deciding how to protect and transfer your wealth is one of the most important choices you’ll make for your family’s future.

Family Investment Companies (FICs) are increasingly being used by families looking for a structured, flexible, and tax-efficient way to manage long-term wealth and succession planning.

Delaying these decisions can restrict your options and potentially increase tax liabilities. By planning early, structures like FICs can provide greater control and adaptability.

If you’re considering whether a Family Investment Company could work for you, we’re here to help. Get in touch to arrange an initial consultation and start planning with confidence.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

From 5 April 2026, directors and shareholders in the UK face new reporting obligations and tax rates for dividend income...
08/04/2026

From 5 April 2026, directors and shareholders in the UK face new reporting obligations and tax rates for dividend income as part of broader personal tax reforms. Understanding these changes now can help you plan how to take profits from your company and manage your personal tax liability efficiently.

Dividends from your own company must now be reported separately from other income to ensure transparency and compliance.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tr2TuI

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Great to see Ascendis involved in another thoughtful and practical discussion at the latest Investor Insights Club.The s...
08/04/2026

Great to see Ascendis involved in another thoughtful and practical discussion at the latest Investor Insights Club.

The session reinforced just how quickly AI is evolving - moving beyond isolated use cases and into core infrastructure, fundamentally reshaping how businesses are built, scaled and valued.

Some key takeaways for founders and investors:

• The real opportunity lies in rethinking business models from the ground up with AI in mind
• The cost of experimentation is falling rapidly - increasing both opportunity and competitive pressure
• Long-term value will come from combining data, domain expertise and trust - not just ‘using AI’

We’re proud for Ascendis to be part of conversations like this - where practical insight meets real-world application.

Looking forward to the next one. Thanks to EHE for having us again.

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