Dividend Tax Rates Rising in April 2026
What Does It Mean for Profit Extraction? The recent Budget confirmed that dividend tax rates will increase from April 2026. The ordinary and upper rates of dividend tax will both rise by 2%. For many small and medium-sized companies, dividends are central to how owners pay themselves. With the tax rates rising, your pay […]
Capital Allowances Overhaul: Unlocking the New 40% First-Year Allowance
The start of 2026 brings a fundamental change to the UK’s capital allowances regime, offering a significant “front-loading” of tax relief for businesses that have historically been excluded from the most generous incentives. From 1 January 2026, a new permanent 40% First-Year Allowance (FYA) for main rate expenditure is now live, specifically targeting unincorporated businesses […]
Looking ahead to 2026
Reflections for business owners With 2025 coming to a close, you may already be starting to reflect on how the year unfolded in your business. Your expectations may have been exceeded in some areas. Perhaps you found a new source of revenue that grew faster than you anticipated, or you had a new customer […]
The January 31 Tax Deadline: Self-Assessment Meets the MTD “Soft Landing”
As the January 31, 2026, deadline for 2024/25 Self-Assessment approaches, UK sole traders and landlords are facing a pivotal transition. Beyond the immediate requirement to file returns and pay tax liabilities, this month marks the final straight before the mandatory introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) in April 2026. For […]
Business Energy & Net-Zero Update — New Support and Planning Triggers
What Employers Must Prepare For Now Several employment law updates are scheduled or expected for 2026 following government consultations, ACAS guidance updates, and upcoming legislative changes. Employers should begin planning now to avoid compliance issues and unexpected HR costs. Here are the key areas expected to impact UK businesses: Strengthened Flexible Working RequestsFollowing changes implemented […]
Energy Costs & Business Energy Contracts
How 2026 Deals Could Impact Your SME Budget As businesses head into winter 2025–26, rising global energy prices and shifting UK energy policy are creating challenges and opportunities for SMEs. While large industrial firms await long-term relief mechanisms, smaller operators must take immediate action to control costs and manage cashflow risk. What’s the Energy Picture […]
NCSC Launches Free Cyber Action Toolkit
Practical actions to help businesses boost security The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a new free Cyber Action Toolkit to help small businesses strengthen their cyber defences in a simple and affordable way. The toolkit has been designed for businesses that may not have in-house IT expertise or large security budgets, offering clear, […]
FSCS Deposit Protection Limit Rises to £120,000 from December
Is it time to review your business’s cash reserves? The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has confirmed that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) deposit protection limit increases from £85,000 to £120,000 from the start of December. The new threshold applies per depositor, per PRA-authorised bank, building society or credit union. The PRA have confirmed […]
Cyber-Security in 2026:
Closing the Skills Gap and Protecting UK SMEs Against Rising Threats Cyber-security remains one of the most critical risks facing UK businesses — and the latest government labour market report shows that 49% of UK businesses lack basic cyber-security skills, while 30% lack advanced skills such as incident response and vulnerability assessment. As cyber-attacks rise […]
New National Minimum Wage Rates Confirmed
Payroll costs to increase again in April 2026 The government has announced the new minimum wage rates that will come into force from 1 April 2026. The new rates are as follows: Current rate New rate Aged 21 and over £12.21 £12.71 Aged 18 to 20 £10.00 £10.85 Aged under 18 £7.55 […]