Finance News - Studholme Bell

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23-02-2026
Why inflation matters when funding pension funds

Why inflation matters when funding pension funds

When planning pension funding, inflation is often acknowledged but not always fully reflected in contribution decisions. Using an average inflation rate of around 5% over recent years helps to ... read more

23-02-2026
Creative businesses to benefit from government finance package

Creative businesses to benefit from government finance package

The government has announced a new package of measures designed to improve access to finance for creative businesses across the UK. The initiative aims to support firms operating in areas such as ... read more

19-02-2026
Check how to claim a tax refund

Check how to claim a tax refund

If you believe that you have overpaid tax to HMRC, you may be entitled to claim a tax refund. Overpayments can occur for a variety of reasons, including changes to employment, incorrect tax codes or ... read more

19-02-2026
HMRC reminder for self-employed and landlords

HMRC reminder for self-employed and landlords

If you have not yet checked whether you need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, you should do so urgently. HMRC has issued a timely reminder that for many self-employed and landlords the ... read more

19-02-2026
Who needs to file a self-assessment tax return

Who needs to file a self-assessment tax return

There are several reasons why you might need to file a self-assessment tax return. This could apply if you are self-employed, a company director, have an annual income over £150,000, or receive income ... read more

19-02-2026
Claiming the Annual Investment Allowance

Claiming the Annual Investment Allowance

The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) is a generous tax relief that allows for the total amount of qualifying expenditure on plant and machinery to be deducted from pre-tax profits. The maximum amount ... read more

19-02-2026
Simplified expenses on motor vehicles

Simplified expenses on motor vehicles

There are simplified expenses arrangements available for sole traders and business partnerships (with no corporate partner) that allow the use of fixed mileage rates instead of working out the actual ... read more

19-02-2026
Workplace pensions

Workplace pensions

Automatic enrolment for workplace pensions has helped many employees to start making provision for their retirement with employers and government also contributing to make a larger pension pot. The ... read more

16-02-2026
Intimidating claimants with costs orders may be at an end.

Intimidating claimants with costs orders may be at an end.

A claimant made allegations of unfair dismissal, discrimination, and detriment resulting from whistleblowing. While his claim against the Council was subsequently withdrawn early on, the claim against ... read more

16-02-2026
Business exit planning matters

Business exit planning matters

For many business owners, the focus is firmly on growth, profitability and day to day operations. Exit planning is often treated as something to think about later, perhaps a few years before ... read more

16-02-2026
New business formations exceed business “deaths”

New business formations exceed business “deaths”

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2025 the number of UK business births exceeded business deaths for a second successive year, pointing to a net increase in the ... read more

12-02-2026
31 January deadline met by more than 11.48 million people

31 January deadline met by more than 11.48 million people

HMRC has confirmed that more than 11.48 million people submitted their 2024-25 self-assessment tax returns by the 31 January deadline. This included 475,722 taxpayers who left their filing until the ... read more

12-02-2026
Sign up for online services

Sign up for online services

HMRC online services allow individuals, businesses and agents to manage tax matters securely over the internet. Using an HMRC online account, you can send information such as self-assessment tax ... read more

12-02-2026
Inheriting Additional State Pension

Inheriting Additional State Pension

The Additional State Pension is only available to those who reached the state pension age before 6 April 2016 and are receiving the Old State Pension. The Additional State Pension is an extra amount ... read more

12-02-2026
Claiming Business Asset Rollover Relief

Claiming Business Asset Rollover Relief

Claiming Business Asset Rollover Relief allows for the deferral of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when taxpayers sell or dispose of certain assets and use all or part of the proceeds to buy new business ... read more

12-02-2026
Entertaining employees

Entertaining employees

In general, entertaining employees is an exception to the normal rule that business entertainment costs are not allowable for tax purposes. If an employer provides entertainment exclusively for ... read more

12-02-2026
Tax and property when you separate or divorce

Tax and property when you separate or divorce

When a couple separates or divorces, most attention focuses on the emotional and practical aspects. However, it is important to consider the tax implications of transferring assets, as these can have ... read more

11-02-2026
Tax Diary March/April 2026

Tax Diary March/April 2026

1 March 2026 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 May 2025.2 March 2026 – Self-Assessment tax for 2024-25 paid after this date will incur a 5% surcharge unless liabilities are ... read more

09-02-2026
Budgeting and forecasting in a period of lower confidence

Budgeting and forecasting in a period of lower confidence

Many business owners are entering the new year with a sense of caution. Confidence across the UK business community has softened, driven by continued cost pressures, uncertainty over tax policy and ... read more

09-02-2026
Business rates support and cash flow for hospitality businesses

Business rates support and cash flow for hospitality businesses

Hospitality businesses continue to operate in a challenging environment. Rising wage costs, energy prices and supply chain pressures have all placed strain on margins. Against this backdrop, recent ... read more

05-02-2026
What is a UK property business

What is a UK property business

The income generated from land or property in the UK is treated as arising from a UK property business. The underlying legislation defines this broadly to include all activities that produce rental ... read more

05-02-2026
What is a salaried member of an LLP

What is a salaried member of an LLP

The salaried member legislation applies to certain members of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) whose terms of membership are more like an employee than a partner. To be a salaried member, the ... read more

05-02-2026
Car and travel costs if self employed

Car and travel costs if self employed

If you are self-employed, it is important to understand which car and travel costs can be claimed. You can claim allowable business expenses for car, van, or travel costs, which reduce your taxable ... read more

05-02-2026
Eligibility for Business Asset Disposal Relief

Eligibility for Business Asset Disposal Relief

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) can significantly reduce the Capital Gains Tax due when selling a business or shares, but with higher rates coming from April 2026, timing and eligibility matter ... read more

05-02-2026
New employee starter checklist

New employee starter checklist

Setting up the correct tax code when a new employee starts is essential, as even small payroll errors can lead to unnecessary tax overpayments and avoidable complications later on. When hiring a new ... read more

05-02-2026
Do you charge VAT when you sell a company car?

Do you charge VAT when you sell a company car?

The question of whether or not you are required to charge VAT when selling a company car depends on how the vehicle was bought and whether VAT was recovered at the time. Understanding these ... read more

04-02-2026
Payments made into employee benefit trusts constitute taxable income

Payments made into employee benefit trusts constitute taxable income

A Tribunal recently ruled that payments made for work into a third-party trust constitute immediate employment earnings. This decision effectively precludes employers from using loan-based structures ... read more

02-02-2026
The rise of the silver economy

The rise of the silver economy

The term “silver economy” is used to describe the growing economic activity linked to an ageing population. In the UK and across much of the developed world, people are living longer, ... read more

02-02-2026
Turning waste disposal into an income stream

Turning waste disposal into an income stream

For many businesses, waste disposal is seen purely as a cost, an unavoidable expense required to stay compliant and keep operations running smoothly. However, there is growing interest in the idea ... read more

29-01-2026
Construction Industry Scheme: tackling fraud

Construction Industry Scheme: tackling fraud

Tackling fraud in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) was one of the measures addressed in the recent Budget. The changes are intended to allow faster intervention where fraud is suspected, while ... read more

29-01-2026
Scottish Budget Statement 2026-27

Scottish Budget Statement 2026-27

Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison delivered her third Budget statement to the Scottish parliament on 13 January 2026. This is the final Budget before the Holyrood elections due to take place ... read more

29-01-2026
MTD for Income Tax – check if and when you need to use it

MTD for Income Tax – check if and when you need to use it

If you have not yet checked if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, you should do so as a matter of urgency. This is because from April 2026 the way many individuals ... read more

29-01-2026
Welsh Budget 2026-27

Welsh Budget 2026-27

The Welsh Final Budget for 2026-27 was published on 20 January 2026. The Budget sets out the Welsh government’s revenue and capital spending plans, including detailed portfolio spending plans. Mark ... read more

29-01-2026
New 40% First Year Allowance now in force

New 40% First Year Allowance now in force

The new 40% First Year Allowance came into force from 1 January 2026. This marks an important development for businesses investing in plant and machinery. The new allowance was first announced at ... read more

29-01-2026
PAYE rules for labour supply chains (umbrella companies)

PAYE rules for labour supply chains (umbrella companies)

From 6 April 2026, significant changes to PAYE rules will affect umbrella companies, recruitment agencies, and end clients, increasing shared responsibility for payroll compliance across labour supply ... read more

29-01-2026
Check your National Insurance record

Check your National Insurance record

It is recommended to check your National Insurance record as this can affect your future entitlement to the State Pension and other benefits. By using the online service, you can see what National ... read more

26-01-2026
Protecting your online passwords

Protecting your online passwords

With so many online accounts now in daily use, including banking, shopping, email and HMRC services, password security has never been more important. A weak or reused password can lead to fraud, ... read more

26-01-2026
Do you need a company audit in the UK?

Do you need a company audit in the UK?

Not every UK limited company needs a statutory audit. Many smaller companies qualify for audit exemption, but it is important to understand the rules, as an audit may still be required in certain ... read more

22-01-2026
Basis period reform – spreading rules for payment

Basis period reform – spreading rules for payment

If your business has transitional profits from basis period reform, spreading over five years may reduce the cash flow impact, but it is important to understand the deadlines. The self-employed basis ... read more

22-01-2026
Struggling to meet tax payments this month?

Struggling to meet tax payments this month?

With the balancing payment and first payment on account both due on 31 January 2026, it is worth checking your options early if funds are tight. The final balancing payment for the 2024-25 tax year ... read more

22-01-2026
Selling a second property?

Selling a second property?

CGT on certain UK residential property sales often has a strict 60-day reporting and payment deadline, so early planning can avoid penalties. If you are selling a second property, such as a ... read more

22-01-2026
Saving tax using the Marriage Allowance

Saving tax using the Marriage Allowance

If one partner earns under £12,570, you could transfer part of their unused personal allowance and cut your tax bill by up to £252 a year. The Marriage Allowance applies to married couples and civil ... read more

22-01-2026
Annual payroll reporting chores

Annual payroll reporting chores

There are a number of annual payroll reporting issues that employers are required to complete. With the tax year ending on 5 April 2026, this means there are several key payroll reporting chores that ... read more

22-01-2026
Corporation Tax 19% or 25%?

Corporation Tax 19% or 25%?

If your company profits sit between £50,000 and £250,000, marginal relief can soften the jump from 19% to 25% Corporation Tax. The Corporation Tax main rate applies to companies with taxable profits ... read more

22-01-2026
Spring Statement 2026

Spring Statement 2026

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has confirmed that she will deliver the Spring Statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. The Spring Statement is used to give an update on the state of ... read more

22-01-2026
Take care when labelling a bonus as discretionary in a contract

Take care when labelling a bonus as discretionary in a contract

The High Court recently ruled on the interpretation and enforceability of "discretionary" bonus provisions in employment contracts. Mr. Gagliardi brought a breach of employment contract claim against ... read more

19-01-2026
What banks look at when a small business applies for a loan

What banks look at when a small business applies for a loan

When a small business applies for a bank loan, the bank is mainly trying to answer one question, “How likely is it that we will be repaid, on time and in full?” To reach that decision, ... read more

19-01-2026
What factors affect a person’s credit rating?

What factors affect a person’s credit rating?

A person’s credit rating (often referred to as a credit score) is a measure used by lenders to assess how reliably someone manages borrowing and financial commitments. It can affect whether credit is ... read more