Thresholds defining company sizes have not changed since 2016, but revised thresholds are now set to be introduced from 6 April 2025. Companies House intends to roll out their new identity verification requirements for directors…
What is a Validation Order (And What Does It Have To Do With a Winding Up Petition)?
The word 'Validation' means different things depending on its usage. The dictionary lists: 'acceptance', 'affirmation', 'authorisation', 'corroboration', endorsement, proof, 'recognition', 'verification'. In the context of insolvency (both bankruptcy and company), a validation order is a special…
Employment expenses pushed to paper
Despite its digital ambitions, HMRC has recently reverted to paper-based claims for employees who want to make a claim for employment expenses. The change from an online basis has been made to reduce fraud. Reports…
Business rates worth the relief?
Business rates relief has been extended for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector but, with the rate of discount cut from 75% to 40%, many English businesses will face a near doubling of their rates…
What is a Winding Up Petition?
A winding up petition is legal action taken by a creditor ie HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to force a company into closure because it cannot pay its debts. Essentially, a winding up petition is…
HMRC and Time to Pay Arrangements: What You Need to Know
HMRC and Time to Pay Arrangements: What You Need to Know When facing financial difficulties, paying taxes on time can be a challenge for individuals, partnerships, and companies alike. On a discretionary basis, His Majesty's…
EPC upgrade work
Rental property has been set a government target to meet an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030. Although new funding in support of this initiative has been announced, the grants will not…
Double hit for employers
The October Budget was not particularly kind to employers, with the cost of employer national insurance contributions (NICs) going up substantially from April 2025, combined with inflation-busting increases to the National Living/Minimum Wage. Employer NICs…
The Autumn Budget – a brave new tax world
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget was a significant one in all senses. “…this Budget delivers a large, sustained increase in spending, taxation, and borrowing.” So said the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in the first…
First aid for ailing businesses: let us help you!
Sadly, no matter where we are in the economic cycle, there are businesses which find themselves in distress. Given higher interest rates, increasing costs all round, not to mention the ever-increasing tax burden, it’s not…