The Accountancy Office

Book A Call
Client Login

Category: Tax

HMRC’s Latest “Deliberate Tax Defaulters” List.

Posted on by Sarah

HMRC has published its newest list of deliberate tax defaulters on 20 November 2025, and, wow… it is quite the line-up.

Over 160 individuals and businesses have been named and shamed for deliberately underpaying more than £25,000 in tax. And as always, the list is a fascinating (and slightly shocking) cross-section of UK industries.

Let’s break down what this means for real business owners, what you can learn from the mistakes of others, and how to make sure your company never finds itself anywhere near this list.

Who Made the List? A Few Eye-Watering Examples

HMRC doesn’t just publish this for fun. These entries are public, searchable and stick around for up to 12 months. Some notable names include:

• Max Distributors Ltd (vape importer), defaulted on over £6.1 million

• Metropolitan International Schools Limited, unpaid tax over £4.8 million

• Euro Recycling Brokers Limited, defaulted on £4.8 million

• GP Total Engagement Ltd, unpaid tax of £314,810

• Warren Christopher Poots, freelance consultant, owed over £199,000

Different industries, different stories, one common thread: serious compliance failures.

HMRC only publishes when the default is considered deliberate. That means the business didn’t simply “miss something”; they either concealed, failed to notify, or misrepresented their tax position during an investigation.

The Real Impact of Making This List

This isn’t just a slap on the wrist. Being on this list means:

• Your name, business, address and tax owed become public record

• You face financial penalties on top of the unpaid tax

• Your reputation takes a hit with customers, suppliers, lenders and investors

• Future HMRC investigations become far more likely

• Professional advisors may even decline to act for you

Once you’re on this list, you don’t get to pretend it was all a misunderstanding.

What Directors Should Take From This

he majority of UK directors are not trying to dodge tax. In fact, most are just trying to do their best while juggling  many different responsibilities. But here’s the truth:

When you let your financial records slip, you create the perfect environment for mistakes…and HMRC doesn’t care whether it was an accident.

Inaccurate bookkeeping

Late VAT returns

Unreconciled accounts

Directors not keeping track of what they withdraw

That’s how small errors become investigations, and investigations become penalties.

 

So, How Do You Stay Off HMRC’s Radar?

1. Keep your accounting records up to date

You cannot make good decisions on bad numbers. And you definitely can’t defend yourself to HMRC with guesswork.

2. Understand the taxes that apply to you

Corporation Tax, VAT, payroll, dividends… directors are expected to know the basics.

3. Ask for help before something becomes a problem

Because once HMRC is asking the questions, it’s already too late to tidy up quietly.

4. Don’t ignore letters, queries or compliance checks

Silence is taken as suspicion. Always respond properly and quickly.

5. Surround yourself with professionals who actually look after you

Not the accountant who files your year-end three months late.

Not the one who replies once a week.

Not the one who “assumes it’s fine”.

 

Lists like this exist for a reason: to remind business owners that tax compliance is not optional and HMRC will pursue you if they believe you’ve deliberately failed to pay.

But here’s the good news…

When your numbers are clean, organised and monitored monthly, you never have to worry about ending up on a list like this.

At The Accountancy Office, this is exactly why we work the way we do. Weekly bookkeeping. Monthly reviews. Ongoing compliance checks. A finance team that spots issues long before HMRC does.

If you’re looking at this list thinking “that will never be me”… great.

If you’re looking at this list thinking “I hope that’s never me”… then you might need support.

And if you want peace of mind, accuracy and proper oversight, get in touch.

The Autumn 2025 Budget Is Coming.

Posted on by Sarah

Here’s How To Prepare for the Autumn 2025 Budget Without Losing Your Mind

The 26th November Budget is almost here, and let’s be honest, most business owners feel that familiar knot in their stomach. Every year the rumour mill starts spinning… possible tax changes, whispers about allowances, dramatic headlines designed to spike your blood pressure before breakfast.

But here’s the truth that nobody seems to shout loudly enough, speculation means nothing.

Nothing counts until the Chancellor actually stands up and delivers the changes.

So for now, the very best thing you can do is simple. Do not panic. Prepare.

Start With Your Accounting Records

If your accounting records are behind, messy or half-updated, you’re going to struggle to understand the impact of the Budget changes when they land. Guesswork leads to stress, and stress leads to poor decisions.

When your numbers are accurate and reliable, something magical happens.

The moment the Budget is announced, you can see exactly how the changes affect you.

Not hypothetically, not roughly, but clearly and instantly.

This puts you firmly in control. 

Our Clients Will Be Fully Supported

Whatever comes out of the Budget announcement, our clients will not be navigating it alone.

We’ll break everything down in plain English, explain what actually matters, and guide you through your next steps so you know exactly where you stand.

If You’re Not a Client (Yet)… Don’t Struggle Alone

Finance and numbers are consistently the biggest stress factors for business owners.

If you find yourself staring at the Autumn 2025 Budget announcement thinking “I can’t get my head around this”, speak to your accountant. That is literally what we are here for.

And if you need a hand, I’m more than happy to help.

Focus On What You Can Control

Ignore the rumours.

Get your accounting records updated.

Be ready to plug the numbers in as soon as the real details are released.

When the Chancellor speaks on 26 November, you’ll be prepared to make decisions with a clear head, rather than reacting in blind panic.

This is how directors stay ahead. Not by guessing, but by preparing.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) and Your Accountant: What Will Change (and What Won’t)

Posted on by Sarah

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is HMRC’s long-term plan to modernise the UK tax system. It’s already in place for VAT and, from April 2026, it will start rolling out for self-employed individuals and landlords with income above £50,000.

What does this mean for me –  and will it change how I work with my accountant?

The good news is: with the right support, very little will feel different. Here’s a breakdown of what will change under MTD, and what won’t.

Countdown to MTD for Income Tax

Deadline: April 2026

That’s less than 7 months away.

While that might sound like plenty of time, MTD preparation takes longer than most people expect. Choosing the right software, setting up digital records, and adjusting processes should all be done well before the deadline – ideally during 2025.

What Will Change

  1. More frequent reporting

Landlords and sole traders will need to submit quarterly updates to HMRC, instead of one annual Self Assessment return. That means information has to be kept more up to date.

  1. Mandatory digital record-keeping

Paper records and basic spreadsheets won’t cut it. HMRC requires digital records to be kept in compliant software like Xero.

  1. Tighter deadlines

Quarterly updates, end-of-period statements and a final declaration all carry strict deadlines. Missing them could mean penalties.

  1. Technology at the core

MTD is built on software. If you’re still managing your accounts outside of Xero (or another recognised platform), that will have to change.

What Won’t Change

  1. Your need for an accountant

MTD doesn’t replace the need for advice — in fact, it makes it even more important to have someone keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

  1. Our support for you

At The Accountancy Office, we already manage digital records for all of our clients. We’ll continue to take care of the submissions and make sure everything is filed on time.

  1. Your relationship with HMRC

You won’t suddenly have to deal with HMRC more often. We’ll still be your first point of contact, handling the reporting on your behalf.

  1. The bigger financial picture

Tax planning, profit extraction, cash flow, and your overall business strategy remain exactly as important as ever. MTD doesn’t change that.

The Bottom Line

Making Tax Digital is a change in process, not in purpose. It’s about how HMRC receives information, not about reinventing the rules of tax. With us as your accountant, you won’t need to worry about the deadlines or the tech – we’ll handle the transition and keep things running smoothly.

Don’t wait until 2026. Get ahead of MTD now so that by the time the deadline arrives, you’re already running smoothly.

Book a call with us today and we’ll walk you through what MTD means for your situation.

—–

Book a call link: https://calendly.com/accountancyoffice/makingtaxdigital

Dividends-More Big Changes for Directors, Detailed Reporting on Dividends from 2025/26

Posted on by Sarah

Dividend Changes-If you’re a director-shareholder of a limited company, read on – your 2025/26 tax return will be more detailed than ever.

From 6 April 2025, HMRC is introducing new reporting requirements for individuals receiving dividends from “close companies” (typically, limited companies controlled by five or fewer people or directors). These changes are aimed at increasing transparency –  and yes, there are penalties if you get it wrong.

What’s changing?

If you receive dividends from a company you’re a director of, you’ll need to disclose more information on your self-assessment tax return for 2025/26. Specifically:

  • Whether you were a director of the company
  • Whether it was a close company
  • The name and registered number of that company
  • The amount of dividends you received (even if that figure is £0)
  • The highest percentage shareholding you held in that company during the year

Previously, you could simply report dividend income as a single total. Now, you must break it down company-by-company, even if you own multiple entities or your shareholding changed during the year.

Why the change?

HMRC says this is about transparency. Dividend payments made to directors of close companies are often tricky to track, especially when they’re lumped in with other investment income. The new requirements aim to close that gap – and help HMRC identify mismatches between what a company declares and what a director receives.

Will there be penalties?

Yes. A £60 penalty can apply for each failure to provide the required information. So if you leave off the company number or forget to mention your highest shareholding percentage — that could trigger a fine.

What you need to do now:

Don’t wait until January 2027 to start thinking about this. You should:

  • Start recording dividend payments from each company separately
  • Keep notes of your shareholding % throughout the year (and the highest point)
  • Make sure you have the correct company registration numbers handy
  • Let your accountant know that this info will be needed when preparing your next return

If you operate a limited company and pay yourself via dividends, this absolutely applies to you.

Please contact us if you’d like to discuss your Dividend payments then please contact us on 01386 366741 or email here and one of our advisers will be in contact.

Making Tax Digital-How to Get Your Business Ready for MTD for ITSA

Posted on by Sarah

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA) comes into effect from April 2026. If you’re self-employed or a landlord earning more than £50,000 a year, this will affect you directly from 2026.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting prepared:

1. Check if you’re in scope

  • Self-employed income over £50,000
  • Rental income over £50,000 (including jointly owned property, split by share)
  • Directors: dividends and PAYE aren’t included, but if you also have rental/self-employed income above £50,000, you’ll need to comply.

2. Choose MTD-compliant software

Spreadsheets and manual records won’t meet HMRC requirements. You’ll need approved software such as Xero to maintain digital records and submit returns.

3. Set up your digital record-keeping

Start recording all income and expenses digitally now. The sooner you begin, the smoother the transition will be.

4. Prepare for quarterly submissions

Instead of one annual Self Assessment, you’ll be reporting four times a year, plus an end-of-period statement and final declaration.

5. Speak to your accountant

We’ll make sure your software is set up, records are accurate, and deadlines are met. Most importantly, we’ll use the more regular data to keep you on top of your tax position throughout the year.

Countdown: April 2026

That’s less than 7 months away. Starting now will save stress later.

Get in touch to find out how we can set you up for Making Tax Digital and keep everything running smoothly.

Mid-Year Tax Planning- Why it is More Important Than You Think

Posted on by Sarah

What is Mid-Year Tax Planning?

Mid-year tax planning is a proactive review of your finances (usually around September–November) to identify opportunities to minimise tax, optimise profit extraction, and plan cash flow for the months ahead. It’s about being forward-looking, not just reacting once the year has already ended.

Now as the year draws to a close, many business owners are focused on finishing strong, wrapping up projects, and getting ready for a fresh start in January. But when it comes to your finances, waiting until year-end to review your tax position is often too late to make meaningful changes.

That’s where mid-year tax planning comes in. Taking time now—while there’s still flexibility—can make a significant difference to both your tax bill and your overall financial health.

The Benefits of Mid-Year Tax Planning

1. Time to Take Action

By checking in before year-end, you still have time to implement strategies such as pension contributions, dividend payments, or capital purchases. These can reduce your taxable income, improve cash flow, and ensure you’re working in the most tax-efficient way.

2. Avoid Nasty Surprises

Nobody enjoys an unexpected tax bill. A mid-year review highlights your likely tax position, so you know what’s coming and can set aside the right funds. No more scrambling to cover a bill you didn’t plan for.

3. Optimise Salary and Dividends

For limited company directors, the right balance of salary and dividends is key. A review before the year-end ensures you’re extracting profit in the most efficient way—making the most of allowances and avoiding unnecessary tax.

4. Make the Most of Allowances and Reliefs

There are plenty of tax allowances and reliefs available—but most need to be used before the tax year ends. A mid-year check makes sure nothing is missed, whether it’s ISA contributions, capital allowances, or director’s pension planning.

5. Cash Flow Confidence

Knowing your tax position in advance means you can plan your cash flow with confidence. Whether that’s setting aside funds for your January self assessment bill, or planning investment back into your business, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress.

6. Stay Ahead of Changes

Tax rules and thresholds shift constantly. A mid-year review allows you to get tailored advice on how upcoming changes may affect your business and personal finances—so you’re never caught off guard.

Summary

Mid-year tax planning isn’t about creating more admin – it’s about making smarter financial decisions while you still have options. By taking a proactive approach now, you can:

  • Save money on your tax bill
  • Make the most of allowances and reliefs
  • Plan ahead with clarity and confidence
  • Avoid unwanted surprises

If you’d like to make sure you’re set up for success before the year-end, why not start with a free 15-minute discovery call? It’s a no-obligation way to talk through your situation and see where we can help. Book your free discovery call here.

 

Making Tax Digital- Why Spreadsheets Won’t Be Enough

Posted on by Sarah

For years, spreadsheets have been the go-to tool for tracking income and expenses. But under Making Tax Digital (MTD), they just won’t cut it. Here’s why.

Spreadsheets aren’t fully digital

MTD requires digital records and a direct link to HMRC. Copying and pasting figures into a form won’t be allowed – it breaks the “digital link” rule. However, you can look into ‘bridging software’ that will convert your spreadsheet to MTD compliant format.

Risk of errors

Spreadsheets are prone to mistakes. One wrong formula or accidental overwrite can cause huge problems, especially when quarterly reporting is mandatory.

No automation

Software like Xero pulls in bank transactions, invoices, and receipts automatically. Spreadsheets can’t match that — meaning more admin and higher risk of missing transactions.

Penalties for non-compliance

If HMRC finds you’re not keeping records in an approved way, you risk penalties and extra scrutiny.

The better alternative: Cloud accounting software

Xero and other MTD-compliant tools are designed to:

  • Maintain digital records in line with HMRC rules
  • Submit quarterly updates automatically
  • Provide real-time visibility of your tax position

In Summary 

Spreadsheets might feel familiar, but they’ll soon be a compliance risk. By switching now, you’ll not only be MTD-ready, you’ll also benefit from smarter bookkeeping, better reporting, and less admin.

Talk to us today about moving onto Xero ahead of MTD.

Full Finance Function: Stop Losing Time and Money Without One

Posted on by Sarah

Why A Full Finance Function is important to you and your business.

You didn’t start your business to reconcile bank feeds or chase VAT deadlines.

But without a full finance function in place, you’re probably:

  • Duplicating data entry across systems
  • Reacting to problems after they hit
  • Making decisions with outdated numbers
  • Paying penalties because something was missed

Our clients who’ve switched to our fully managed finance function have saved hours each week – and tens of thousands per year. Why? Because we systemise, automate and optimise your entire financial workflow.

No more siloed spreadsheets. No more panicked HMRC calls. Just proactive financial management that pays for itself.

💡 Tax Tip: Want to reduce your Corporation Tax bill? We help identify eligible expenses—like director life insurance policies under an “excepted group life scheme”, staff events, or even home office allowances – that most business owners overlook. These small wins add up fast when tracked by someone who knows where to look.

Please contact us if you’d like to discuss your Finance tax planning then please contact us on 01386 366741 or email here and one of our advisers will be in contact.

Why a Full Finance Function Is Your Secret Weapon for Scaling

Posted on by Sarah

Ambitious business owners are natural multitaskers. But when your limited company is pushing beyond £250k turnover, the DIY approach to finances stops being clever—and starts costing you.

A full finance function, like the one we deliver, means we handle everything:

  • Bookkeeping and VAT
  • Payroll and pension submissions
  • Director payments and dividend planning
  • Management accounts and board packs
  • Year-end compliance and tax optimisation

You stop wasting time chasing receipts or second-guessing your cash flow. Instead, you get back the brain space to focus on growing your business—with full clarity on where the money’s going and how to keep more of it.

💡 Tax Tip: Let’s say you’ve got surplus cash and want to extract it tax-efficiently. A full finance function tracks retained earnings, so we can time your dividend declarations and pension contributions to minimise higher-rate tax exposure. Done right, this can save you thousands annually in dividend tax.

Please contact us if you’d like to discuss your Finance tax planning then please contact us on 01386 366741 or email here and one of our advisers will be in contact.

AI vs Accountant

Posted on by Sarah

AI vs Accountant: Why Professional Advice Matters When Deciding Between a Sole Trader and a Limited Company

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can crunch numbers in an instant, but they can’t replace the judgement of a chartered accountant—especially when it comes to choosing the right business structure. 

In two recent LinkedIn posts I shared a real example from my practice: an enquiry from Jane, a soletrader making around £60,000 profit. She was wondering if she should incorporate to save tax. I fed the same numbers into an AI calculator and discovered a series of mistakes. This blog summarises what happened, sets the record straight with the latest tax rules and shows why relying solely on AI can cost you.

Jane’s Question: Should I Go Limited?

Jane’s friend said that she would “save tax by going limited”. On the face of it, the idea sounds plausible. After all, corporation tax on profits up to £50,000 is 19%, which is lower than the 2045 % bands for personal income tax. Limited companies also separate personal liability from business debt and often allow more flexibility to raise finance or share profits within a family.

Tax rules change constantly, and several factors can tip the scales. To illustrate this, I ran the numbers for Jane twice: once manually and once through an AI calculator. Here’s what I found.

How AI Got the Numbers Wrong

When I asked the AI tool to work out Jane’s tax bill as a sole trader versus a limited company for the 2025/26 tax year, it provided a neat set of figures—but they weren’t correct. The mistakes stemmed from using outdated thresholds and misunderstanding how different taxes and expenses work. Below are some highlights (or lowlights):

  1. Employer’s National Insurance (NIC) threshold – The AI used the old £9,100 annual secondary threshold. From April 2025, employers start paying NIC at a much lower £5,000 threshold .
  2. Employer’s NIC rate – It applied the historic 13.8 % rate instead of the current 15 % rate on earnings above the secondary threshold .
  3. Accountancy fees as a posttax deduction – The calculator treated accountancy fees as an aftertax personal expense. In reality, they’re deductible business expenses that reduce taxable profit .
  4. Class 4 National Insurance – It assumed a flat 6 % NIC on all profits over £12,570. For 2025/26, selfemployed people pay 6 % NIC only up to £50,270; profits above this are charged at 2 % .
  5. Class 2 National Insurance – The tool still added Class 2 NIC. From April 2024, Class 2 NIC is no longer payable for selfemployed people with profits above the Lower Profits Limit .
  6. Overall outcome – Most importantly, the AI concluded that incorporating would save Jane money. When I corrected the numbers using current rates and allowed for accountancy fees correctly, the result flipped: as a limited company director with a typical mix of salary and dividends, Jane would actually keep around £352 less than she would as a sole trader.
  7. The AI’s calculation looked plausible but ignored the subtle changes to National Insurance thresholds and rates and mistreated expenses. It only came close to the right answer when I challenged it with followup questions.

A Reality Check: Sole Trader vs Limited Company at £60,000 Profit

Comparing Jane’s situation under both structures using the latest 2025/26 rates:

Item Sole Trader Limited Company
Profit before tax £60,000 £60,000
Deductible accountancy fees Deducted from profit before tax Deducted from company profits 
Taxes & NIC Income tax at personal rates + Class 4 NIC (6 % to £50,270; 2 % thereafter)  Corporation tax at 19 % on profits; salary subject to employer NIC at 15 % and employee NIC; dividends taxed at lower rates 
Net amount retained ≈ £45,705 ≈ £45,353

The table shows that, at this profit level, there’s no immediate tax advantage in forming a limited company. The savings from the lower corporationtax rate are largely wiped out by higher employer NIC, administrative costs and the correct treatment of accountancy fees.

Beyond Tax: Other Factors to Consider

Tax isn’t the only consideration. Here are some other factors Jane (and anyone in a similar position) should weigh up:

  • Liability – A limited company is a separate legal entity, so you’re personally liable only for the amount you’ve invested . Sole traders are personally responsible for their business debts.
  • Funding and ownership – Companies can raise capital more easily by issuing shares and may attract investors . Sole traders rely on personal or business loans.
  • Administrative burden – Companies must submit annual accounts and corporationtax returns from the first pound of profit . Sole traders have a simpler selfassessment and can use cashbasis accounting .
  • Flexibility in sharing profits – Companies can distribute profits as dividends to shareholders, including family members, potentially reducing the family’s overall tax bill .
  • Future plans – For owners expecting to earn significantly more in future or raise external finance, incorporating might deliver longterm savings and growth opportunities despite higher shortterm costs.

Conclusion: Why You Still Need Professional Advice

AI tools can provide ballpark figures, but they often lag behind when tax rules change or when they’re required to interpret realworld complexities. In Jane’s case, an AI calculator not only used obsolete NIC thresholds and rates but also mishandled deductible expenses and underplayed the realworld result. If Jane had relied on the tool, she might have opted to incorporate unnecessarily and ended up paying more tax.

When it comes to AI vs Accountants there is no one size fits all answer to the sole trader vs limited company question. Profits, risk tolerance, growth plans and personal circumstances all play a part. A qualified accountant stays on top of legislative changes – such as the new £5,000 employer NIC threshold and 15 % rate , or the removal of Class 2 NIC  – and can model how those changes affect your specific situation. Before making a decision that could impact your takehome pay and liability for years to come, always seek professional advice.

So to contact The Accountancy Office to discuss this more please click here or call us on 01386 366741