Tax Compliance – British SME

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small business owner reviewing a July tax payment calendar and cash-flow notes, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

Self Assessment July payment: what small business owners should check now

by Alistair Cowen-Page
29 June 202615 July 2026

HMRC is reminding Self Assessment customers that the second payment on account is due by 31 July, making this a cash-flow checkpoint for many sole traders, partners and small business owners.

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small family attraction ticket desk and cafe counter preparing summer price signs, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

Summer VAT cut: what small hospitality and attraction businesses should check now

by Alistair Cowen-Page
28 June 202615 July 2026

A temporary VAT cut on family days out and children’s meals creates a short operational window for small hospitality, leisure and visitor-economy businesses.

Pen-and-ink illustration of an accountant helping a small business owner review digital tax records on a laptop, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

MTD Income Tax client sign-up: what small firms should check before July downtime

by Alistair Cowen-Page
28 June 202615 July 2026

HMRC has updated agent guidance for signing clients up to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, with planned July downtime making it worth checking authorisations, software and client records now.

Pen-and-ink illustration of a sole trader checking digital tax records on a laptop, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

Making Tax Digital sign-up is now open for sole traders over the 2026 threshold

by Alistair Cowen-Page
27 June 202615 July 2026

HMRC says sole traders and landlords required to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026 should sign up now. Small businesses should check thresholds, software and agent authorisations.

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small business owner reviewing tax records at a desk, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

HMRC tax gap figures put small business compliance back in focus

by Alistair Cowen-Page
23 June 202615 July 2026

HMRC says small businesses continue to represent the largest customer group in the UK tax gap. The practical message for SMEs is to tighten records, Corporation Tax processes and basic controls before errors become costly.

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small UK pub and restaurant owner reviewing VAT and cost pressures, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

Hospitality VAT pressure: what small pubs and restaurants should watch now

by Alistair Cowen-Page
29 May 202615 July 2026

Leading UK chefs have renewed calls for a lower VAT rate for pubs and restaurants, adding fresh pressure to a debate that many small hospitality businesses will recognise immediately: how to price fairly while food,…

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small UK payroll desk checking Employment Allowance guidance, with a small Union Jack as the only coloured element

Employment Allowance update: what small employers changing payroll software should check

by Alistair Cowen-Page
16 May 202615 July 2026

HMRC has updated its Employment Allowance guidance, giving small employers a useful reminder to check their payroll setup carefully when changing software provider. The allowance can reduce eligible employers’ Class 1 National Insurance bill, so…

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small accountancy office preparing for HMRC tax adviser registration, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

HMRC tax adviser registration: what accountancy and payroll SMEs should check now

by Alistair Cowen-Page
15 May 202615 July 2026

HMRC’s new mandatory registration system for paid tax advisers starts rolling out on Monday 18 May 2026, creating an immediate compliance checkpoint for small accountancy, bookkeeping and payroll firms that deal with HMRC for clients.…

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small business owner checking tax paperwork beside a computer, with a small Union Jack as the only coloured element

HMRC’s AI deal: what small businesses should watch on tax errors and fraud checks

by Alistair Cowen-Page
14 May 202615 July 2026

HMRC’s new artificial intelligence deal is not just a Whitehall technology story. For UK small businesses, it could affect how quickly tax errors are spotted, how fraud checks are targeted, and how much evidence a…

Pen-and-ink illustration of a small UK employment agency reviewing payroll documents, with a small tucked-away Union Jack as the only coloured element

HMRC agency rules update: what labour-supply SMEs should check now

by Alistair Cowen-Page
8 May 202615 July 2026

HMRC has updated its guidance for employment intermediaries, adding information about PAYE rules where labour supply chains include umbrella companies. For recruitment agencies, staffing firms, contractors using labour suppliers and small businesses that place workers…