As announced at the time of the 2025 Autumn Budget, the ordinary and upper dividend tax rates are increased by two percentage points from 6 April 2026. The additional dividend rate remains unchanged. The increase will affect those with shareholdings who receive dividend income, as well as shareholders in personal and family companies who extract […]
Taxation of dividends in 2026/27 Read More »
Not because it is wrong, but because it can create extra admin. Here is why 31 March is often worth considering for media production companies. First, it matches the tax year. That keeps planning simpler. One set of dates, fewer moving parts. It also makes life easier for directors and shareholders’ personal tax. Your company
It is the feeling that you are paying more, for something you did not ask for. I have had a few conversations recently with freelancers in film, TV, music and content who are annoyed about the extra cost of getting set up for MTD. I get it. Your work already comes with enough moving parts.
Making Tax Digital is not the bit that frustrates creatives. Read More »
I know that goes against what a lot of freelancers have been told for years, especially when work starts picking up and someone says, “Go limited, take dividends, save tax.” Here’s the part that often gets missed. A limited company is not just a tax choice. It is a compliance choice. It comes with rules,
And yes… that can be true. But honestly, what I see day-to-day with creative people isn’t usually that they’re careless. It’s that they’re cautious. They don’t want to get it wrong. They don’t want to feel like they’re “pushing it”… or doing anything that might come back to bite them later. And I get that,
Making music is creative, expressive, and deeply personal.Unfortunately, tax is none of those things — and that’s where many musicians get caught out. Over the years, I’ve seen incredibly talented musicians lose money, sleep, and sometimes momentum, simply because no one ever explained the financial side in plain English. Here are the five biggest tax
The 5 Biggest Tax Mistakes Musicians Make (And How to Avoid Them) Read More »
If you’re self-employed or run your own limited company and your partner helps out in the business, you might have wondered if you can pay them a wage. Even if they don’t, maybe you’re looking for smart ways to manage tax and household income more efficiently. Whatever the reason, this is one of the most
Can I Pay My Spouse a Wage? The Tax Benefits (and Rules) Explained Read More »
It’s one of the most common questions we get: “Can my company pay for a garden office?” The answer is yes, partly, but the rules are more complex than they seem. Like with everything involving HMRC, there are conditions to follow and boxes to tick, so you need to know what you can and can’t
Can I build a garden office and claim it all through the business? Read More »
It’s one of the most common questions business owners ask us: “I’ve paid VAT on something for my business, why can’t I claim it back?” The short answer is simple: if you’re not VAT-registered, you can’t reclaim VAT. The longer answer, however, is worth understanding, especially if you’re close to the VAT threshold or wondering
Why can’t I reclaim VAT if I am not VAT-registered? Read More »
Whether you’re self-employed full-time or run your business alongside other work, your home office comes with running costs. The good news? Some of those costs can be claimed back. So if you’re asking yourself, “What can I actually claim for when working from home?”, this guide is for you. Two methods for claiming business-use-of-home There
What can I claim for running my business from home? Read More »