taxplanning 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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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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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 However, the relief previously available to employees who met these costs themselves will be withdrawn from 6 April 2026.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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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 »

If you are in film, TV, or music, a limited company is not automatically the smart move in 2026.

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

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,

If you are in film, TV, or music, a limited company is not automatically the smart move in 2026. Read More »

Why Creatives Need a Niche Accountant — And What That Really Means

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

In today’s creator-led economy, more artists, designers, writers, filmmakers and other creatives are turning passion into business. Yet while creativity fuels innovation, the financial side is often complex, inconsistent and misunderstood. That’s precisely why a niche accountant for creatives isn’t just a luxury — it’s a strategic advantage. 1. Creative Income Isn’t “Traditional Income” Unlike

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Can I Pay My Spouse a Wage? The Tax Benefits (and Rules) Explained

Uncategorised / craigwilliams

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

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taxplanning

Phoenix companies: HMRC’s tougher approach to contrived insolvencies

Using your ISA allowance in 2026/27

Costs of working from home

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.

If you are in film, TV, or music, a limited company is not automatically the smart move in 2026.

Why Creatives Need a Niche Accountant — And What That Really Means

Can I Pay My Spouse a Wage? The Tax Benefits (and Rules) Explained

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