If you're a sole trader or landlord filing under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, you'll hit four MTD quarterly deadlines a year instead of one annual Self Assessment date. This page lists every MTD … [Read more...] about MTD for Income Tax: Quarterly Deadline Schedule for Sole Traders and Landlords
National Insurance Gaps: What HMRC’s Letters to the Self-Employed Mean
If you're self-employed and a letter has landed from HMRC about gaps in your National Insurance record, take a breath. It isn't a bill. It doesn't automatically mean anything is wrong. HMRC is writing … [Read more...] about National Insurance Gaps: What HMRC’s Letters to the Self-Employed Mean
HMRC Mileage Rate Rises to 55p a Mile — First Increase in 15 Years
If you use your own car or van for business journeys, there's good news: HMRC's approved mileage rate has gone up for the first time in 15 years. From 6 April 2026, the rate for cars and vans rises … [Read more...] about HMRC Mileage Rate Rises to 55p a Mile — First Increase in 15 Years
HMRC Wants VAT and PAYE Paid by Direct Debit — Consultation Now Closed
HMRC has opened a consultation that could change how VAT-registered businesses and employers pay their tax bills. The proposal: make Direct Debit the mandatory payment method for VAT and PAYE return … [Read more...] about HMRC Wants VAT and PAYE Paid by Direct Debit — Consultation Now Closed
MTD’s First Quarterly Deadline Has Passed — What Happens Now?
If you're one of the sole traders or landlords in the first wave of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, the first quarterly update deadline has now been and gone. It covered 6 April to 5 July 2026, and … [Read more...] about MTD’s First Quarterly Deadline Has Passed — What Happens Now?
What Happens If HMRC Investigates My Business?
Receiving a letter from HMRC telling you your tax affairs are under review is unsettling — but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong. HMRC investigates both randomly and … [Read more...] about What Happens If HMRC Investigates My Business?
What Is the Trading Allowance — and Can I Use It?
If you earn a modest amount from self-employment on top of other income — perhaps from a side hustle, casual work, or selling things online — you may be able to take advantage of the trading allowance … [Read more...] about What Is the Trading Allowance — and Can I Use It?
Do I Need a Bookkeeper or Accountant as a Sole Trader?
When you first go self-employed, it’s tempting to handle everything yourself — including your finances. And for a while, that’s often perfectly fine. But as your business grows, or as the complexity … [Read more...] about Do I Need a Bookkeeper or Accountant as a Sole Trader?