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?
self assessment
How to Budget for Your Tax Bill as a Sole Trader
One of the biggest financial challenges for self-employed people is the tax bill. Unlike employees, sole traders don’t have tax deducted at source — it all comes due in one (or sometimes two) … [Read more...] about How to Budget for Your Tax Bill as a Sole Trader
What to Do If You’ve Missed the Self Assessment Deadline
The 31 January deadline for Self Assessment is one of the most important dates in the tax calendar — but life happens, and sometimes it gets missed. If you’ve not filed or paid on time, the most … [Read more...] about What to Do If You’ve Missed the Self Assessment Deadline
How to Register as Self-Employed with HMRC
If you’ve started working for yourself — whether as a freelancer, a tradesperson, or running any kind of small business — you need to let HMRC know. Registering as self-employed is … [Read more...] about How to Register as Self-Employed with HMRC
What Is a Payment on Account — and Why Is HMRC Asking for Double?
If you’ve just filed your first Self Assessment return and the bill from HMRC is almost twice what you were expecting, you’ve just discovered payments on account. It’s one of the … [Read more...] about What Is a Payment on Account — and Why Is HMRC Asking for Double?
Self Assessment Penalties — How to Avoid Them
Missing a Self Assessment deadline isn't just stressful — it's expensive. HMRC's penalty system means that even a single day late can trigger an automatic fine, and the charges mount up quickly the … [Read more...] about Self Assessment Penalties — How to Avoid Them
Scottish Tax Rates for 2026-2027
Key Update for Scottish Taxpayers 1. Income Tax Rates (Scotland 2026/27) If you are a Scottish taxpayer, you pay Scottish Income Tax on earnings. Note that UK rates still apply to savings … [Read more...] about Scottish Tax Rates for 2026-2027