Guides
UK tax, explained like you're busy — because you are.
Plain-English guides to the rules our clients actually hit. No jargon, no padding, and honest about when the answer is “it depends”.
Self Assessment deadlines 2026/27 — the complete guideEvery Self Assessment date for the 2026/27 cycle, what happens if you miss each one, and how payments on account fit in.6 min readAllowable expenses for the self-employedWhat sole traders can and can't claim against tax — including the expenses most people miss and the traps that trigger enquiries.7 min readFirst-time Self Assessment: the checklistFiling your first UK tax return? Everything to do, gather and expect — in the order it needs doing.5 min readPayments on account, explained simplyWhy HMRC asks for 150% of your first bill, how the July payment works, and when you can legitimately reduce it.4 min readWhen and how to register for VATThe £90,000 rolling test, the 30-day rule, choosing a scheme, and whether registering voluntarily ever makes sense.6 min readDividend vs salary for 2026/27How company directors decide the salary/dividend split this year — rates, the classic structure, and what changes the answer.6 min readIR35 basics every contractor should knowWhat IR35 tests, who decides your status, what inside vs outside means in money terms, and how to protect an outside position.7 min readCIS refunds: what subcontractors are owedWhy most CIS subcontractors overpay tax all year, how refunds work, and how to claim everything you're entitled to.5 min readUK crypto tax, explained properlyWhen crypto is taxed, how share pooling works, what counts as a disposal, and what to do about HMRC nudge letters.7 min readLandlord tax in 2026: Section 24 and beyondHow mortgage interest relief actually works now, what landlords can claim, the 60-day CGT rule, and the company question.7 min readSetting up a limited company, step by stepFrom name check to first payroll: the eight steps of incorporating properly, and the mistakes that are expensive to fix later.6 min readMaking Tax Digital for Income Tax: who's affected and whenThe MTD ITSA timetable, what quarterly updates actually involve, and how sole traders and landlords should prepare.5 min readLate tax return? The rescue playbookAlready missed the deadline? The exact order of moves that stops penalties growing and often claws some back.5 min readR&D tax credits under the merged schemeWhat qualifies as R&D now, what the merged scheme pays, and how to claim without inviting an HMRC enquiry.6 min readHow to choose an accountant (honestly)The questions that actually separate good accountants from bad ones — including the ones we'd want asking of us.5 min read