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Guest Blog: Employment Rights Bill – Major Changes on the way!
We're thrilled to feature a guest blog this month, written by Sarah Seastron of Clockwork HR . Sarah is our HR partner and is extremely...


Does anyone know why the tax year ends on 5th April?
For years there has been debate whether the 5th April tax year end should change as it is viewed as being somewhat quirky and antiquated,...


FSB Small Business, Big Giveaway: Chance to win £10,000
Please note: Entries close on Wednesday 30th April Your small business deserves a big break. If you’re a small business owner or...


Key Tax Dates: May 2025
Here's a list of key UK tax dates and deadlines for the upcoming month. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions...


Are you aware the state pension age is increasing next year?
Another rise in the state pension age (SPA) is now only a year away. The age you start to draw your state pension will rise from 66 to 67...


Payroll - No Price Increase This Year
We're pleased to inform you that, due to the rising costs we know businesses are facing, we’ve made the decision not to increase our...


Key Tax Changes
There are some key tax changes that came into effect in April 2025, to be aware of: Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs):...


Top 5 reasons why you should submit your self-assessment tax return early
Filing early helps you: Find out what your tax liability is sooner, which helps with budgeting Get any tax refunds quicker, improving...


HMRC are now sending tax refund updates by text message
HMRC have begun using text messages to update taxpayers with progress of their claim for those who have requested a Self Assessment tax...


Tax Planning for Agricultural Land Sales
As agricultural land values are increasing, and even more consideration is being given to what should be done with your land in the...


Key Points from the Spring Statement
Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement on Wednesday 26th March. The announcement was was more focused on spending, however there...


HMRC to use your voice as your password
It has been announced that callers to HMRC will be able to use their voice as a password in a bid to speed up calls. They have been...


Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax
Written by: Ffion Bainbridge – MTD specialist ffion@shepherdpartnership.com What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax? MTD for...


Key Tax Dates: April 2025
Here's a list of key UK tax dates and deadlines for the upcoming month. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions...


Voluntary Digital Disclosure Service
What is the Voluntary Digital Disclosure Service? HMRC have created the Voluntary Digital Disclosure Service to encourage people to...


Change to rules for reporting income from side hustles
Changes were announced recently which are to be introduced to those with very small amounts of trading income. The actual...


Employers need to get ready for Statutory Neonatal Care Leave and Pay
A new statutory entitlement to Neonatal Care Leave and Pay is to be introduced from 6 April 2025. Employed parents whose babies are...


Personal end of tax year planning for 2024/25
A lot has happened over the last year. Have you reviewed your personal financial affairs recently? With the 5 April 2025 tax year end...


End of year tax planning for businesses
Most unincorporated businesses now have a year end which aligns with the tax year and many companies have a 31 March year end. As the...


Farming News: Receiving Delinked Payments
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England with delinked payments in 2024. The 2023 scheme year...


How do different industries and products affect the UK economy?
The Office for National Statistics have created a tool to explore how a selected product or service is used in the UK economy, and the...


Nearly half of pension savers are missing out
The government automatically tops up any money paid into a personal pension by 20 per cent. But analysis shows that over 2.3m...


Further clarity on the tax treatment of double cab pick-up trucks
HMRC has very recently updated its guidance once again on the tax treatment of double cab pick-up trucks to give further clarity as to...


Confirm the identity of someone representing HMRC
Anyone who is representing HMRC will always identify themselves and explain why they are contacting you when they visit you. You can...


Introduction of new data collection items within RTI submissions withdrawn
Plans announced under the previous government which would have required employers to provide more detailed employee hours data, through...


Time running out to top up your state pension – deadline 5th April 2025
As we have previously highlighted, the 5th April 2025 deadline to fill gaps in your National Insurance record is almost upon us. Taking...


'Help for Hustles' - do you need to declare your side hustle income
HMRC has launched its 'Help for Hustles' campaign - aimed at helping people earning extra income to understand their tax obligations....


Delay in correcting employee pension contribution tax relief for some low earners
There are two ways employer pension schemes deal with tax relief. Where low earners are enrolled in a net pay arrangement they have...


Key Tax Dates: March 2025
Here's a list of key UK tax dates and deadlines for the upcoming month. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions...


Government puts AI to work for small businesses
Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled - from...


HMRC Scam Calls Rise
The I newspaper recently reported that there has been an 84% increase in scams impersonating HMRC as the self-assessment tax return...


The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (2023) (‘The Act’) will reform the role of Companies House and improve transparency...


West Yorkshire business support/growth schemes which may be of interest
Here are a couple of business support schemes that we have been made aware of, which may be of interest to West Yorkshire businesses: The...


Congratulations to Ffion
Ffion, our Accounts Senior - who is undertaking her ACCA (Chartered Accountancy) qualification - often features on our blog when we share...


Struggling to pay your tax?
HMRC has issued a reminder to those who need who need to pay their Self Assessment tax that they may be able to spread the cost of their...


What do the new inheritance tax pension rules mean?
The October Budget included changes to how pensions are to be treated for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes from 6 April 2027. From that...


No tax changes for online sellers
HMRC have clarified that there are no new tax obligations for people selling services or unwanted items online as platforms start sharing...


Useful guide to employing staff for the first time
HMRC has published a useful beginner's guide to employing staff for the first time. It clearly spells out the practical steps to take...


Spring Forecast: 26th March
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the Spring forecast will take place on Wednesday 26 March. We will keep...


A reminder that Double Cab Pickups (DCPUs) are to be treated as cars
In case you missed our budget summary, we are reminding clients that double cab pick-up trucks are to be reclassified as cars from April....


Lily's exam success!
We're thrilled to say that Lily has just received the results from her latest exams... and she passed with flying colours! This means...


Increase in company size thresholds from April 2025
From April 2025 new regulations will come into force which will increase company size thresholds and remove some of the requirements for...


One to Many letter campaign - let us know if you receive one
HMRC have recently started yet another One to Many letter campaign this time aimed at taxpayers who, although registered for Self...


Hybrid Working - Interesting Stats from ONS
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published an interesting article regarding hybrid working - looking at the types of...


It's not too late to take the LEAD (Leadership Excellence and Development Programme)
In an article from the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub's newsletter, they share that: It's not too late to take the LEAD! There are...


New measures unveiled to crack down on subscription traps
The government have unveiled new proposals to crack down on subscription traps. A consultation on measures to make it easier for...


Key Points from the Autumn Budget
In the first since the General Election, Rachel Reeves delivered her Autumn Budget on Wednesday 30th October. Her statement included...


Employment Rights Bill (useful webinar for employers)
An Acas webinar recording on ' The Employment Rights Bill: what it means for employers ' is available to access... The webinar is...


Growth Guarantee Scheme
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme . It is designed to support access to finance for UK smaller...


Congratulations to the Skipton Business Award winners!
Heather and Charlotte represented the Shepherd Partnership team at this year's Skipton Business Awards (held at Skipton Town Hall on...
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