 Elephant with the word tax on its side, representing the hidden issue of UK taxpayers overpaying tax without proactive tax planning from Tax Affinity Accountants. The Elephant in the Room Is Usually Tax: Are You Paying More Than You Legally Need To?
Most people know they are paying tax. Many suspect they are paying too much. Very few know exactly how much they could legally save. That is the real elephant in the room. For many individuals, landlords, company directors, contractors, high earners and business owners, tax is treated as something that simply “happens” once a year. A return is filed. A bill is paid. HMRC receives the money. Life moves on. But here is the uncomfortable truth: HMRC will not usually tell you that your affairs could have been structured more tax efficiently. HMRC’s role is to collect the correct tax under the law. It is not to proactively redesign your income, company structure, dividends, pension contributions, property ownership, capital gains position or inheritance tax planning so that you keep more of your own money. That is where proper tax advice matters. At Tax Affinity Accountants, we help clients identify the tax issues they may not see, challenge assumptions, review historic positions, and create practical strategies to reduce unnecessary tax exposure while remaining fully compliant. Because the real question is not: “Am I paying tax?” The real question is: “Am I paying more tax than I legally need to?” How Tax Affinity Accountants Helps You Keep More of Your Money Tax Affinity Accountants is a UK-based tax accountancy firm helping individuals, landlords, contractors, company directors, high earners, SMEs and property investors identify whether they are paying more tax than legally necessary. The firm provides proactive UK tax planning, Self Assessment tax return support, limited company accounts, corporation tax advice, VAT, payroll, CIS, capital gains tax advice, inheritance tax planning, HMRC investigation support, forensic accounting-style analysis and expert accountant input for legal or dispute matters. Tax Affinity Accountants helps clients remain compliant with HMRC while using legitimate tax reliefs, allowances and planning strategies to keep more of their own money. Why So Many UK Taxpayers Overpay Tax Without Realising Tax overpayment is rarely caused by one obvious mistake. More often, it happens quietly over time. A business owner may take salary and dividends in the wrong balance. A landlord may miss allowable finance, repair, mileage, home office or professional expenses. A company director may fail to plan pension contributions before the year end. A property investor may trigger unnecessary capital gains tax. A family may leave inheritance tax planning too late. A contractor may not claim the right business costs. A high earner may lose personal allowance without planning around it. Each issue on its own may seem small. But over several months or years, the lost tax savings can become substantial. This is why experienced tax advice is not just about filing a return. It is about looking underneath the surface and asking: What has been missed? What could be improved? What risk exists? What reliefs are available? What should be done before the tax year ends? What should be changed before HMRC asks questions? A basic accountant may record what already happened. A proactive tax accountant helps you plan what should happen next. HMRC Will Not Plan Your Tax for You Many taxpayers wrongly assume that if HMRC accepts a return, everything must be optimised. That is not necessarily true. A tax return can be accepted and still be inefficient. A company can be compliant and still be badly structured. A taxpayer can pay the “right” tax based on the information submitted, while still missing legitimate reliefs, allowances or planning opportunities. HMRC does not normally contact taxpayers to say: “You could have claimed more expenses.” “You should have considered pension planning.” “You may have structured your property income inefficiently.” “You could have reduced your capital gains tax exposure.” “Your company/director extraction strategy could be improved.” “Your family wealth planning may create future inheritance tax problems.” That responsibility sits with you and your adviser. And that is why choosing the right accountant is not just an admin decision. It is a financial decision. The Hidden Cost of Having the Wrong Accountant A cheap or reactive accountant may seem like good value at first. But if they only file accounts and tax returns after the event, without giving forward-looking advice, the real cost can be far higher than the fee you saved. The wrong accountant can cost you money through: Missed tax reliefs. Poor dividend and salary planning. Incorrect expense treatment. Weak record keeping. Late filing penalties. Unclaimed capital allowances. Poor VAT decisions. Incorrect CIS handling. Weak payroll planning. Missed capital gains tax planning. Failure to consider inheritance tax early enough. Inadequate support during HMRC enquiries. Poor advice during company closure, property sales or restructuring. The problem is that most taxpayers only discover the weakness when it is too late. By then, the tax year has ended. The transaction has completed. The deadline has passed. HMRC has opened an enquiry. The penalty has arrived. The opportunity has gone. This is why proactive tax planning is so important. Worried You May Be Paying Too Much Tax? If your accountant only contacts you once a year, only files what already happened, or never explains how to legally reduce your tax exposure, it may be time for a second opinion. Tax Affinity Accountants can review your tax position and help identify whether you are missing legitimate tax-saving opportunities. Call 08000434051 or contact Tax Affinity Accountants today to arrange a tax review. What Tax Affinity Accountants Looks For At Tax Affinity Accountants, our approach is to look beyond the numbers and understand the person, business or family behind them. Depending on your circumstances, we may review areas such as: Income tax planning. Self Assessment tax returns. Limited company tax efficiency. Salary versus dividend planning. Corporation tax reduction strategies. VAT registration and VAT planning. Payroll and PAYE compliance. CIS tax for contractors and subcontractors. Capital gains tax on property, shares and business assets. Inheritance tax planning and family wealth protection. Rental property accounts and landlord tax. Director loan accounts. Business expense claims. Pension contribution planning. HMRC investigations and enquiries. Forensic accounting support. Expert accountant reports for legal or dispute matters. Business restructuring and company closures. Overseas income and international tax issues. The goal is simple: help you remain compliant while legally keeping more of your hard-earned money. Tax Planning Is Not Tax Avoidance Good tax planning is not about hiding income, taking reckless shortcuts or creating artificial arrangements. Proper tax planning means understanding the law, applying the correct reliefs, keeping accurate records, structuring decisions sensibly, and making informed choices before deadlines pass. There is a big difference between aggressive tax avoidance and legitimate tax efficiency. At Tax Affinity Accountants, we focus on practical, compliant and commercially sensible advice. We help clients understand what they can legally claim, what they should avoid, and how to protect themselves if HMRC ever reviews their affairs. This is especially important for business owners, landlords, contractors and high earners, where the tax rules can quickly become complex. Why Business Owners Often Pay Too Much Tax Business owners are some of the most common taxpayers to overpay tax without realising. This can happen when they: Take profits inefficiently. Do not plan dividends properly. Fail to use pension contributions strategically. Miss allowable business expenses. Do not use company assets correctly. Fail to plan for VAT thresholds. Ignore director loan account issues. Leave corporation tax planning until after the year end. Do not review whether their company structure still works. Fail to prepare for future sale, succession or exit. A growing business needs more than annual accounts. It needs tax strategy. The right accountant should not simply ask, “What happened last year?” They should also ask, “Where is the business going, and how do we make the tax position stronger before it gets there?” Why Landlords and Property Investors Need Specialist Tax Advice Property tax is one of the areas where taxpayers can lose significant money through poor planning. Landlords and property investors may need advice on: Rental income tax. Mortgage interest restrictions. Repairs versus improvements. Joint ownership and income splitting. Capital gains tax on sale or transfer. Private residence relief. Lettings relief where applicable. Stamp Duty Land Tax considerations. Limited company property structures. Inheritance tax exposure on property portfolios. Overseas property income. Short-term lets and furnished holiday let changes. Record keeping and expense evidence. A property decision made for convenience today can create a tax problem later. Before buying, selling, transferring, gifting, refinancing or restructuring property, it is sensible to speak to an accountant who understands both tax compliance and long-term planning. HMRC Investigations: When the Elephant Becomes a Problem Sometimes the tax issue is not just about saving money. Sometimes it is about protecting yourself. HMRC enquiries and investigations can be stressful, time-consuming and financially damaging if handled poorly. Even innocent mistakes can become serious if records are weak, explanations are unclear or correspondence is mishandled. Tax Affinity Accountants can assist clients with HMRC enquiries, tax disputes, compliance checks and investigation support. We also have experience supporting complex matters where tax, accounting evidence and legal issues overlap, including forensic accounting-style analysis and expert accountant input where appropriate. When numbers are being challenged, the quality of the explanation matters. When HMRC asks questions, you need more than guesswork. You need calm, structured, evidence-based support. Why Switching Accountant May Be the Best Financial Decision You Make This Year Many people stay with the same accountant because it feels easier. They assume all accountants do roughly the same thing. They do not want the hassle of switching. But if your current accountant is not advising you proactively, not explaining your options, not identifying tax-saving opportunities, not warning you before deadlines, and not helping you plan ahead, then staying put may be costing you more than you realise. You should consider reviewing your accountant if: You only hear from them once a year. They never suggest ways to reduce tax. You do not understand your tax position. You feel rushed or ignored. You are growing but not receiving strategic advice. You have property, investments or multiple income streams. You are worried about HMRC. You suspect you are overpaying tax. You want a more proactive accountant. You want advice, not just filing. Switching accountant is usually simpler than people think. A professional clearance process can be handled between firms, and a good new accountant can guide you through the transition. The bigger risk is not switching when your tax affairs have outgrown your current support. The Tax Affinity Difference Tax Affinity Accountants is built around a simple principle: Expert advice. Proactive solutions. Financial success. We support individuals, sole traders, landlords, contractors, company directors, SMEs and families who want more than basic tax return filing. Our clients come to us because they want clarity, protection, strategy and confidence. We help clients understand their numbers, reduce unnecessary tax exposure, stay compliant with HMRC, and make better financial decisions. We are a Recognised tax agent authorised to act on clients’ behalf with HMRC, and our team regularly supports clients with tax returns, accounts, VAT, payroll, CIS, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, business structuring, HMRC correspondence and complex tax advisory matters. For clients who want a serious accountant, not just a form-filler, Tax Affinity Accountants offers a higher level of support. Do You Know How Much Tax You Are Overpaying? This is the question most people avoid. Not because they do not care. But because tax feels complicated, uncomfortable and easy to postpone. The problem is that tax does not wait. Deadlines pass. Reliefs expire. Allowances are lost. Records become harder to reconstruct. HMRC interest and penalties can build. Opportunities disappear. The best time to review your tax position is before the tax year ends, before a transaction completes, before HMRC opens an enquiry, and before your business or personal finances become more complicated. The second-best time is now. Book a Tax Review with Tax Affinity Accountants If you are a business owner, landlord, company director, contractor, high earner, investor or individual who suspects you may be paying too much tax, now is the time to act. A professional tax review can help identify: Where you may be overpaying tax. Which reliefs and allowances may apply. Whether your company structure is still suitable. Whether your property income is being reported efficiently. Whether your salary and dividend mix is appropriate. Whether you are exposed to HMRC risk. Whether your future tax position can be improved. Do not wait until another tax year is over. Do not wait until HMRC contacts you. Do not wait until your accountant simply tells you what the bill is. Speak to Tax Affinity Accountants and find out what proper tax advice could do for you. Tax Affinity Accountants Expert advice. Proactive solutions. Financial success. Frequently Asked Questions Why Do Many UK Taxpayers Overpay Tax? Many UK taxpayers overpay tax because they only file returns after the tax year has ended, instead of planning before key deadlines. HMRC will not usually advise taxpayers on how to structure income, dividends, pensions, property ownership, business expenses or capital gains in the most tax-efficient way. A proactive UK tax accountant can review a taxpayer’s position, identify missed reliefs and allowances, reduce unnecessary tax exposure and help keep the taxpayer compliant with HMRC. Can an accountant really reduce my tax bill legally? Yes, in many cases. A good accountant can identify allowable expenses, reliefs, allowances, pension planning opportunities, business structuring options and timing strategies that may reduce tax legally and compliantly. The exact outcome depends on your circumstances. Will HMRC tell me if I have overpaid tax? HMRC may correct certain obvious errors or process repayment claims, but HMRC will not normally act as your personal tax planner. It is your responsibility, with your accountant, to ensure your affairs are structured efficiently and that legitimate claims are made correctly. How do I know if I am paying too much tax? You may be paying too much tax if your accountant only files returns after the year end, does not discuss tax planning, does not review expenses, does not explain salary and dividend options, does not consider pension contributions, or does not advise before property, company or investment decisions. A professional tax review can identify whether legitimate reliefs, allowances or planning opportunities have been missed. Is tax planning only for wealthy people? No. Tax planning can help sole traders, landlords, contractors, small business owners, company directors, families, high earners and ordinary individuals with multiple income sources. The earlier you plan, the more options you usually have. When should I speak to a tax accountant? Ideally before the tax year ends, before selling property, before taking large dividends, before buying investment property, before closing a company, before making gifts, before moving overseas, before receiving large income, or before HMRC opens an enquiry. Can I switch accountant easily? Yes. In most cases, switching accountant is straightforward. Your new accountant can request professional clearance and obtain the necessary records from your previous accountant, subject to standard procedures. Does Tax Affinity Accountants help with HMRC investigations? Yes. Tax Affinity Accountants can assist clients with HMRC enquiries, compliance checks, tax disputes and related tax/accounting matters. Where appropriate, the firm can also support more complex cases requiring detailed analysis and forensic-style accounting input. Speak to Tax Affinity Accountants Before Another Tax Year Is Lost Tax planning works best before deadlines pass. Once the tax year has ended, many opportunities may already be limited or lost. If you are a business owner, landlord, company director, contractor, investor, high earner or individual who suspects you may be paying too much tax, now is the time to act. Contact Tax Affinity Accountants today and find out whether your current accountant is helping you keep more of your money — or simply telling you what to pay. Call 0800 043 4051 Visit www.taxaffinity.com Tax Affinity Accountants — Expert advice. Proactive solutions. Financial success. About the Author Written by Anni Khan, Tax Affinity Accountants Reviewed by Andrew Khan, Principal Accountant, Tax & Forensic Accounting Specialist, Recognised tax agent authorised to act on clients’ behalf with HMRC. Tax Affinity Accountants are UK-based tax and accountancy specialists supporting individuals and SME businesses. With offices in Worcester Park, Kingston upon Thames, and Epsom & Ewell, they act for clients across the UK and internationally, providing compliant, HMRC-focused tax advice and support. For more information, visit www.taxaffinity.com or read more insights at www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Important Notice This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances. Professional advice should be sought before taking action. #UKTaxAdvice #TaxPlanning #SelfAssessment #BusinessTax #HMRCInvestigations #ForensicAccounting #CapitalGainsTax #InheritanceTax #LandlordTax #LimitedCompanyTax #TaxAffinityAccountants
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Companies House Fees Rising 1 February 2026: Act Now to Lock in Lower LTD Registration Costs1/25/2026  🚨 Companies House Fees Rising 1 February 2026: Act Now to Lock in Lower LTD Registration Costs
If you’re thinking of starting a limited company (Ltd) in the UK, time is running out to lock in the lower Companies House fees — because from 1 February 2026 key costs like company incorporation and annual filings are increasing. This change matters to anyone planning to form a business, register a company online, or complete essential filings this year — so don’t wait until it’s too late. What Is Changing With Companies House Fees From 1 February 2026? From 1 February 2026, Companies House is increasing several key filing fees, including the cost of registering a new UK limited company. Digital incorporation fees will rise, meaning anyone planning to form a Ltd company will pay more if they wait until after the change. Registering before the deadline allows business owners to secure the current lower fees and avoid unnecessary additional costs. Acting early also reduces the risk of delays caused by increased demand ahead of the fee increase and ensures compliance under the new Companies House reforms. 💡 Why These Fee Changes Matter to You The doubling of some core fees — particularly the cost of incorporating a new company — is significant for: ✔ Aspiring business owners ✔ Freelancers and contractors planning to incorporate ✔ Owners of existing limited companies preparing annual filings ✔ Anyone needing official filings like confirmation statements If you register your company before 1 February 2026, you can secure the current lower fees and avoid paying the higher rates after the change takes effect. 📆 Deadline Is Approaching — Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute Starting a limited company might seem simple, but incorporating a business properly involves several steps:
🧠 The Bigger Picture: Modernisation, Transparency & Compliance These fee changes are not arbitrary — they reflect significant reforms to how Companies House operates under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. Companies House is changing from a register to an active regulator that: ✔ Verifies identities of directors and company officers ✔ Improves data accuracy ✔ Targets misleading or false information ✔ Supports enforcement activity when compliance issues arise These developments are designed to boost trust in the UK’s business environment, but they also mean that the cost of registration and compliance is increasing. 🚀 What You Should Do Next If your been thinking about forming a limited company (Ltd) — whether as a new business venture, a side hustle, or a corporate reorganisation — now is the time to act. ✔ Start the registration process ✔ Get help preparing your incorporation documents ✔ Lock in the current fees before 1 February 2026 ✔ Ensure all legal and compliance details are correct Delaying could cost you up to double the filing fee, depending on the service you need. 📞 Need Help Setting Up Your Company? At Tax Affinity Accountants, we support clients with:
About the AuthorWritten by Anni Khan, Tax Affinity Accountants Reviewed by Andrew Khan, Principal Accountant, Tax & Forensic Accounting Specialist, Recognised & authorised to act on clients’ behalf with HMRC & Companies House. Tax Affinity Accountants are UK-based tax and accountancy specialists supporting individuals and SME businesses. With offices in Worcester Park, Kingston upon Thames, and Epsom & Ewell, they act for clients across the UK and internationally, providing compliant, HMRC-focused tax advice and support. For more information, visit www.taxaffinity.com or read more insights at www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Important NoticeThis article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax or company formation advice. Company law and fees can change; professional guidance should be sought based on your individual circumstances. a Tax Accountants Experience and expertise is highly valued in tax planning and hmrc investigations5/22/2023
 Tax Affinity expert tax accountants for help with planning and investigations Tax Affinity Accountants are rated as experts in Tax and Accounting Industry and because of our experience and expertise with Tax we can help clients to both legally minimise their tax and make the best plans for the future. We never recommend breaking any rules but instead using our expertise know that there is more than enough scope with the framework to legally reduce taxes and still have the peace of mind. And because we stay abreast with the latest changes and developments we are are always at the forefront of advising clients when things change. And you know your in safe hand because Tax Affinity are experts in tax law with a good working relationship with HMRC. There to there to help and support clients if they are involved in a HMRC tax or VAT investigation or have a Worldwide Disclosure / Let Property Campaign letter etc to respond to. We are always able to successfully support and guide clients to the best possible outcome. Just ask one of our many happy clients who sing our praises. Below is a list of just some of the things we can help with. If what your looking for is not listed we most likely are still able to do it but just didnt want to make the list too long. Give us a call and have a chat with one of our tax experts or come into one of our high street branches - we will be happy to help. - Inheritance tax planning for landlords with estates between £1million - £250million - Capital gains tax planning - Transferring properties into a limited company - Incorporation - Offshore tax planning - HMRC Tax and VAT Investigations - Code of Practice 8 and 9 investigations - Alternate Dispute Resolution - Tax Tribunals - Forensic Accounting - Worldwide Disclosure Facility - Let Property Campaign - HMRC Check of Self Assessment / Tax - Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF) - Code of Practice 8 / 9 / 11 / 14 - Section 144 Enquiry - Section 12A TMA 1970 Notice Investigations - Code of Practice 11 (Local Compliance Offices) - Code of Practice 14 Investigation (Company Tax Return Investigations) By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.  With only a few working days left. This is an important reminder that if you have not already had your 2021-22 personal tax return done. All 21/22 tax returns (self assessments) need to be calculated & submitted to HMRC before the 31st January 2023 and any tax payable for the year to be paid by that date also. And we recommend this is urgently done and you contact us today. If you had it done or do not need it then ignore this reminder.
As per last year HMRC is saving money & will not send postal reminders. They now choose instead to collect money through letters of fines for missed deadlines saying 'all tax payers should be aware of the self assessment deadline, and not expect HMRC to remind them'. With fines starting at £100 rising to £1300 plus interest for late filing and payment even if you had no tax to pay, there really is no excuse to not have it done as soon as possible so get in touch today and ensure its calculated and declared by professional tax accountant, someone who will make sure to look after your best financial interests while freeing you up to concentrate on the things your love. To complete the 2021/2022 self assessment you will need the following information:
Tax Affinity Accountants are experts Business, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. Last year over 30,000 people filed their tax returns between christmas eve and boxing day12/19/2021  Tax Affinity Accountants have branches local to you Did you know last year more than 30,000 people in the UK did their tax return between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day?
As of writing this, there are only 20 working days left until HMRC's self assessment deadline of 31st Jan 2022. Each year millions of people leave their tax return (self assessment) to the last minute and then stress out if they declared the info correctly and if the tax due is correct. Statistically the number one worry tends to be if their submission may trigger an HMRC investigation into their tax affairs... death and taxes being the fear we suppose. Plus in the last tax year due to Covid 19 and lockdown's there were many other sources of income e.g. council support grants, SEISS (self employed grants), furlough, bounce back loans, universal credit, tax credits etc. Making tax returns more complicated and resulting with higher taxes due for most tax payers. If your worried we recommend you get in touch with one of our tax experts. Because we have seen a lot more investigations this year than previous years as HMRC starts it claw back to try to shore up the UK government income and focuses even more on tax avoidance and incorrect information. So if you have not had your 2020/21 (6.4.20 to 5.4.21) tax return (self assessment) completed then you urgently need to get in touch today as the number of working days are fast decreasing and before you know it the time will be gone and you may end up facing badly caclulated tax return paying more tax than you need to or worse a fine by HMRC for missing the deadline. Contact us today by clicking this link or calling us on the number above. And share this page with your friends and family. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for small and medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting limited company owners and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.  At Tax Affinity we believe in improving the financial lives of ever person in the world. Enriching each persons life to be better today and tomorrow. We do that by remaining at the forefront of business tax and finance and constantly researching and striving for knowledge. Making sure we are the first to know and advise on all things new so we can improve everyone's financial life.
With the rise of Bitcoin (BTC) and other virtual currency such as Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin etc. Many investors are looking to cash in on the rise of the new wave of crypto currency appearing in the news. Experts know how to mine such currency not just buy and sell it and the value of keeping the currency in electronic wallets to avoid fraud or theft. They understand the blockchain and how to use GPU's and graphics cards to help them increase their investments. Plus the places they can spend and buy more coins and tokens. With the rise of established business and brands saying they will accept and have purchased Bitcoin; cryptocurrency is here for the long term even if the government and central banks don't like it. And with this rapidly changing financial landscape tax authorities around the world are scrambling to make tax laws and rules to bring it within their taxable structure. So anyone investing in, buying or generating virtual curency will become subject to tax depending on the way it is transacted and declared. A sobering thought when virtual currency was always supposed to a currency for the people by the people. This is where a tax expert in crypto currency like Tax Affinity Accountants is essential to help you keep as much of your hard earned money as possible. We make sure to keep researching and checking with the tax authorites for the latest rules and regulations. Powering ahead to the forefront of crypto currency support. Tax Affinity are already succesfully helping both businesses and individuals with their cryptoinvestments knowing that the vast majority of accountants and tax advisors in the world are lack the knowledge an skill to support them at this crucial time. After all its how you do things at the start that defines what will be the end result and leaving financial matters to the last minute usually ends up in misery. So get in touch with us today when you still have time to invest wisely and keep more of your hard earned wealth and investments. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Crypto currency, Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom and Ewell they are considered in the Industry to be expert cryptocurrency business accountants and tax advisors for both individuals and small & medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting both individuals and limited company owners / self employed people throughout the UK and the world, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. @Tax_Affinity #bitcoins #Ethereum #dogecoin #taxaffinity #recommended #tax #accountant #accountants  The UK Government and the Chancellor have set out a package of temporary measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
This includes actions to support businesses including:
If you need help with your applications for government grants, loans and allowances as described above then as authorised HMRC agents and expert tax accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are available to support your business at this critical time. Urgently contact us by clicking here and we will use our expertise to support your business through this difficult time. Support for businesses through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers are able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible. How to access the scheme You will need to:
If your business needs short term cash flow support, you may be eligible for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan. Support for businesses through deferring VAT and Income Tax payments Government will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months. If you’re self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021. VATFor VAT, the deferral will apply from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible. How to access the scheme This is an automatic offer with no applications required. Businesses will not need to make a VAT payment during this period. Taxpayers will be given until the end of the 2020 to 2021 tax year to pay any liabilities that have accumulated during the deferral period. VAT refunds and reclaims will be paid by the government as normal. Income Tax For Income Tax Self-Assessment, payments due on the 31 July 2020 will be deferred until the 31 January 2021. Eligibility If you are self-employed you are eligible. How to access the scheme This is an automatic offer with no applications required. No penalties or interest for late payment will be charged in the deferral period. HMRC have also scaled up their Time to Pay offer to all firms and individuals who are in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and have outstanding tax liabilities. Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees Goverment will bring forward legislation to allow small-and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be as follows:
You are eligible for the scheme if:
A rebate scheme is being developed. Further details will be provided in due course once the legalisation has passed. Government websites will contain more details. Support for businesses that pay business ratesBusiness rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses Goverment will introduce a business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year. Businesses that received the retail discount in the 2019 to 2020 tax year will be rebilled by their local authority as soon as possible. Eligibility You are eligible for the business rates holiday if:
There is no action for you. This will apply to your next council tax bill in April 2020. However, local authorities may have to reissue your bill automatically to exclude the business rate charge. They will do this as soon as possible. You can estimate the business rate charge you will no longer have to pay this year using the business rates calculator. Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance. Cash grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businessesThe Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property. For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000, they will receive a grant of £10,000. For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000, they will receive a grant of £25,000. Eligibility You are eligible for the grant if:
You do not need to do anything. Your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for this grant. Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority. Find your local authority on Google. Support for businesses that pay little or no business ratesThe government will provide additional Small Business Grant Scheme funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR), rural rate relief (RRR) and tapered releif. This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs. Eligibility You are eligible if:
Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority. Find your local authority on Google. Support for businesses through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan SchemeA new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, will launch early next week to support primarily small and medium-sized businesses to access bank lending and overdrafts. The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each loan (subject to a per-lender cap on claims) to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The government will not charge businesses or banks for this guarantee, and the Scheme will support loans of up to £5 million in value. Businesses can access the first 12 months of that finance interest free, as government will cover the first 12 months of interest payments. Eligibility You are eligible for the scheme if:
You should talk to your bank or finance provider (not the British Business Bank) as soon as possible and discuss your business plan with them. This will help your finance provider to act quickly once the Scheme has launched. If you have an existing loan with monthly repayments you may want to ask for a repayment holiday to help with cash flow. The scheme will be available from early next week commencing 23 March. Support for larger firms through the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility Under the new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility, the Bank of England will buy short term debt from larger companies. This will support your company if it has been affected by a short-term funding squeeze, and allow you to finance your short-term liabilities. It will also support corporate finance markets overall and ease the supply of credit to all firms. Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible. How to access the schemeThe scheme will be available early in week beginning 23 March 2020. The Government will provide information on how to access the scheme soon - keep an eye on their website updates. More information is available from the Bank of England website. Support for businesses paying tax: Time to Pay serviceAll businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. These arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities. Eligibility You are eligible if your business:
If you’re worried about a future payment, call HMRC nearer the time. Insurance Businesses that have cover for both pandemics and government-ordered closure should be covered, as the government and insurance industry confirmed on 17 March 2020 that advice to avoid pubs, theatres etc is sufficient to make a claim as long as all other terms and conditions are met. Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy and contact their providers. Most businesses are unlikely to be covered, as standard business interruption insurance policies are dependent on damage to property and will exclude pandemics. If you need help with your applications for government grants, loans and allowances as described above then as authorised HMRC agents and expert tax accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are available to support your business at this critical time. Urgently contact us by clicking here and we will use our expertise to support your business through this difficult time. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. Based in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for small and medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting limited company owners and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.  With the UK now officially leaving the EU, small and medium sized business owners need to put plans and procedures in to place to ensure their business carries on with no problems. Research show that unfortunately the vast majority of SME business owners continue to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the potential ticking time bomb.
Below is a short check list of what you may need to do:
By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. Based in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Epsom they are considered in the Industry to be expert business accountants and tax advisors for small and medium sized businesses (SME's). Helping and supporting limited company owners and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. Their support has been considered invaluable by many clients and key to their success. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.  Branch in Worcester Park Changes to UK Income tax rates changes for 19/20 from 5th April 2019:
Personal allowance: Up to £12,500, Tax 0% Basic rate £12,501 to £50,000, Tax 20% Higher rate £50,001 to £150,000, Tax 40% Additional rate Over £150,000, Tax 45% Allowances: There are many other changes with tax allowances such as Annual Investment Allowance claimable rising to £200,000 per annum. Dividend tax rates: The tax-free dividend allowance is £2,000 Basic-rate taxpayers pay 7.5% on dividends Higher-rate taxpayers pay 32.5% on dividends Additional-rate taxpayers pay 38.1% on dividends. Corporation Tax: Rate remains at 19% Directors Loans: If loaned amount exceeds £10,000 at any point during the year then 2.5% nominal interest on the whole amount plus Class 1A National Insurance contributions (13.8%), and may need to be reported on your P11D As market leaders and experts in Tax and accounting for business, there are of course many other changes as well and these we regularly advise and update our clients as and when the tax rules change. If you would like to become a client and receive this support and updates - contact us today. By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. Based in Worcester Park and Kingston upon Thames and Espom they are considered in the Industry to be expert accountants and tax advisors for small businesses. Helping and supporting contractors and self employed people throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.  As the dust settles after Chancellors October Budget 2018. We felt nearly all of the news coverage by journalists had presented little or no perspective specifically for the self employed and small and medium sized businesses. So to help below is another one of our famous main points lists, because lifes to short to waffle :
By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Surbiton , Worcester Park , Kingston upon Thames , Cheam and Epsom they are considered in the Industry to be expert accountants and tax advisors for small businesses. Helping and supporting business throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support. For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends. |
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