08-Jan-2025
A fresh start: Reviewing your business goals for the New Year
The start of January marks a time of new beginnings, and for business owners, it’s the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and plan ahead. After the whirlwind of the festive season, January offers a quieter moment to consider where your business is headed, how it’s performing, and whether you’re still on track to meet […]
06-Jan-2025
Christmas tax filing: 4,409 people chose Christmas Day to file their tax returns!
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have revealed that 4,409 people chose Christmas Day to file their tax returns, ensuring their 2023-2024 tax affairs were in order well before the 31 January deadline. In total, 40,072 taxpayers submitted their returns over the Christmas break, proving that even amidst the festive cheer, there’s always time for […]
10-Dec-2024
Be wary of self-assessment scams
HM Revenue and Customs has issued a reminder to be careful about scam attempts that target people filing Self Assessment tax returns. In the last year, nearly 150,000 scam attempts were referred to HMRC, a 16.7% increase on last year. With the January 31st 2025 filing deadline approaching, fraudsters are likely to step up their […]
28-Nov-2024
Volunteers from Barter Durgan deliver pizzas to hospital children’s ward
Volunteers from Barter Durgan delivered pizzas to the main children’s ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. Barter Durgan teamed up with charity Sophie’s Legacy which organises for pizzas to be delivered to patients and relatives on children’s wards at hospitals including in Portsmouth, Chichester, Isle of Wight, Poole NICU and Royal Marsden Hospitals. Under […]
21-Nov-2024
Reduction in HMRC late payment interest rates
Following the Bank of England’s decision to reduce the base rate from 5% to 4.75%, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced a reduction in their late payment interest rates. HMRC interest rates track the base rate. Late payment interest (payable if you pay tax late) is set at base rate plus 2.5%. Repayment interest […]
18-Nov-2024
Self-assessment tax returns: Counting down to 31 January
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have begun reminding taxpayers that time is ticking for getting self-assessment tax returns filed in time for the 31 January 2025 deadline. More than 3.5 million tax returns have already been submitted, however HMRC are anticipating more than 12 million in total needing to be filed by the end of […]
30-Oct-2024
Companies House introduces new financial penalties regime
Companies House have rolled out a new penalties regime as part of a broader effort to boost corporate transparency and combat economic crime, following the implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This could mean tougher consequences in the shape of financial penalties for companies that don’t meet their obligations, including filing […]
21-Oct-2024
Make sure you claim your child benefit
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding parents to claim their Child Benefit. A claim can be made online and the first payment could be made within a week of claiming. Why claim child benefit? Child Benefit is a helpful financial support for families, offering up to £1,331 per year for the first child, and […]
14-Oct-2024
New tipping laws: What employers and employees need to know
As of 1st October, new laws are in place to ensure that workers keep 100% of the tips, gratuities, and service charges they earn. This is a major development for employees in sectors such as hospitality, where tipping plays a significant role in take-home pay, and for employers, who will need to ensure they comply […]
07-Oct-2024
Check your National Insurance record: Are you missing out on your full state pension?
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has recently reminded people to check and make sure they are not missing out on valuable State Pension entitlements due to gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record. The issue mainly affects parents, particularly women, who claimed Child Benefit before 2000. During that time, Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was designed […]
