Mandatory payrolling now to be phased in The announcement of mandatory payrolling for Benefits in Kind was originally expected to start in April 2027, but following industry pressure, it will now be introduced in two phases. Phase 1 will continue to be rolled out from 6 April 2027, with Phase 2 starting a year later…
Companies House to bring in changes to accounts filing from April 2028 Companies House will introduce changes to accounts filing due to governmental reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023). The changes will now come into effect from April 2028, rather than April 2027, to give companies more time…
Why every growing business needs a business plan You have the idea, the energy, and maybe even your first customers. So why slow down to write a business plan? It can seem like something banks ask for, but not something that really helps you run your business. However, for small and growing businesses, a well-crafted…
Temporary VAT reduction on children’s meals, tickets and family attractions The government has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT for children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer. VAT will be reduced from 20% to 5% between 25 June and 1 September 2026 for qualifying activities as the government tries to…
Consultation launched on details for High Value Council Tax Surcharge The government has opened a consultation on the High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) expected to come into force in England from 1 April 2028. HVCTS will apply to owners of residential properties in England worth £2 million or more and is payable in addition…
Four simple ways to improve business profit within 12 months Most businesses don’t need big ideas or complicated plans to improve profit. In practice, profits will usually increase by tightening up a few everyday things and being more deliberate about how time and effort are applied. Almost everything you can do to improve profit fits…
Credit control: The quiet discipline that keeps a business alive Running a business in recent times has been a lesson in resilience. Costs continue to increase and customers are cautious. Cash is proving tight for many businesses and credit control is a core discipline for keeping a business afloat in such times. When businesses get…
Starting a business: What to think about now to grow later Starting a business is often driven by an idea, a skill, or a gap in the market. But turning that starting point into a sustainable, growing business requires more than enthusiasm. Early decisions – sometimes made quickly or informally – tend to shape how…
What Apple’s CEO Handover Tells Business Owners About Succession Planning Apple announced last week that Tim Cook will step aside as chief executive on 1 September 2026, and hand the role to the current head of hardware engineering, John Ternus. Cook will remain closely involved as executive chairman. If you are a business owner or…
Valuing Your Business: What Buyers Look for and What You Can Do About It If you are thinking about selling your business, whether that is in six months or six years, one of the first questions you will probably ask yourself is “what’s it worth?” While there are formulas designed to calculate the value of…