What are dividends and how are they taxed
A dividend is a distribution of a company’s profits to its shareholders. Companies may pay dividends in cash or additional shares, giving investors a share of the business’s earnings. Dividends are a
The Rent a Room Scheme
The Rent a Room Scheme is a set of special rules designed to help homeowners who rent out a room in their home, creating a potentially valuable tax-free income stream. Under the scheme, rent received
Tax if selling a second property
You may have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) tax when you sell or dispose of a property that is not your main home. This includes buy-to-let properties, business premises, land and inherited
Tax on inherited property, money or shares
As a general rule, someone who inherits property, money or shares is not liable to pay tax on the inheritance itself. This is because any Inheritance Tax (IHT) due is normally paid out of the
How long should you keep your tax records
Following the deadline for submission of self-assessment tax returns for the 2024-25 tax year, it is a useful time to revisit the rules on how long you should keep your tax records. There are no
Estimate your Income Tax for the current tax year
If you are concerned by the continuing pressures on your take-home pay and need some certainty on your Income Tax liability, the HMRC calculator available at https://www.gov.uk/estimate-income-tax can
Companies House blunder
A Companies House blunder has raised concerns after a flaw in the WebFiling service briefly exposed sensitive company data. The issue, identified on 13 March 2026, meant that a logged-in user could
When is a “self-employed” contractor a de facto employee?
The employment status of a former bricklayer was recently called into question in establishing liability for asbestos exposure. The widow of the late Mr. Eric Alger, who died from mesothelioma, sought
Business solvency, why it matters
Business solvency refers to a company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they fall due and to maintain a healthy balance between its assets and liabilities. It is one of the key indicators
Exit planning, an essential step for business owners
Many business owners spend years building their companies but give far less attention to planning how they will eventually exit. In reality, a successful exit rarely happens by chance. It usually