Uncategorised Archives - Zen Chartered Accountants

Phoenix companies: HMRC’s tougher approach to contrived insolvencies

In November 2025, the government announced a joint strategy involving HMRC, the Insolvency Service and Companies House to crack down on what is termed ‘contrived insolvencies’, i.e. company closures engineered to avoid paying tax using so-called ‘phoenix companies’. The measures signal a tougher approach to directors who repeatedly abandon companies with unpaid tax liabilities before […]

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Side hustles, online selling and the trading allowance: What you need to know

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

Whether you sell unwanted items on eBay or Vinted, rent out a property on Airbnb, freelance through online platforms, drive for a delivery app, earn money as a content creator, gardener, babysitter or even hire out personal equipment, it is important to understand when this extra income needs to be reported to HMRC.The government has

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Using your ISA allowance in 2026/27

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are tax-free savings accounts. There are four different types of ISAs: Individuals must be at least 18 to invest in an ISA. Cash ISAs may be with a bank, building society, or National Savings and Investments. Stocks and share ISAs can include shares in companies, unit trusts and investment funds, corporate bonds,

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Taxation of company vans in 2026/27

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

Where an employee is provided with a company van that is available for private use, a tax charge may arise under the benefit-in-kind legislation. However, this will not always be the case. Unlike company cars, where a van benefit charge does arise, it does not depend on CO2 emissions. Instead, it is a set amount.

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Costs of working from home

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

When an employee works from home, they may incur additional costs, such as higher gas and electricity bills. The tax system offers some help where the employer meets some or all of these additional costs. However, the relief previously available to employees who met these costs themselves will be withdrawn from 6 April 2026. Expenses

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Companies House Reforms Delayed Until 2028 – But Small Businesses Should Start Preparing Now

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

The government has confirmed that major Companies House filing reforms will proceed, but with an important concession for small businesses. While the changes were originally expected to take effect from April 2027, implementation has now been postponed until 1 April 2028, giving companies more time to prepare. For many small company directors, these reforms represent

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The Employment Allowance – Can you claim it?

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

The Employment Allowance is a very valuable allowance which allows eligible employers to reduce their secondary Class 1 National Insurance bill by up to £10,500 in 2026/27. The allowance is not given automatically and must be claimed. Who can claim Employers can claim the allowance if they are a business or a public body and

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Understanding your tax code

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

The tax code is fundamental to the operation of PAYE. It is made up of letters and numbers which take account of the allowances that you receive and also any deductions from those allowances, for example, to collect underpaid tax. If you have received a tax code for the 2026/27 tax year, you must understand

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Reduction in Written Down Allowances on Equipment from April 2026

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

Where first-year allowances, such as the Annual Investment Allowance or full expensing, are not claimed in respect of capital expenditure on plant and machinery, or not claimed in full, relief is instead given by way of writing down allowances (WDAs). The rate at which the allowance is given depends on whether the expenditure is main-rate

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Most production companies do not miss out on creative tax credits because of one huge mistake.

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

They miss out because of small assumptions that quietly build up until the claim becomes stressful, delayed, or impossible to support properly. If you run a media production company, creative tax credits are not just something to think about after delivery. They affect how you budget, contract, track costs, and protect cashflow between productions. A

Most production companies do not miss out on creative tax credits because of one huge mistake. Read More »

Uncategorised

Phoenix companies: HMRC’s tougher approach to contrived insolvencies

Side hustles, online selling and the trading allowance: What you need to know

Using your ISA allowance in 2026/27

Taxation of company vans in 2026/27

Costs of working from home

Companies House Reforms Delayed Until 2028 – But Small Businesses Should Start Preparing Now

The Employment Allowance – Can you claim it?

Understanding your tax code

Reduction in Written Down Allowances on Equipment from April 2026

Most production companies do not miss out on creative tax credits because of one huge mistake.

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