HMRC has reduced late payment and repayment interest rates following the cut to the base rate. The Bank of England cut the base rate to 5.0% on 1 August, the first reduction for over four years. This has triggered a cut in HMRC interest rates which are pegged to the base rate. From 20 August,… Read more…

The 5p cut in fuel duty to be scrapped in the upcoming Autumn Budget, according to the RAC. The motoring organisation says that motorists in the UK are ‘not gaining any benefit’ and retailers have failed to pass on lower petrol and diesel prices to drivers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently refused to rule out… Read more…

Freelancers want to see Chancellor Rachel Reeves use the Autumn Budget to move towards a fairer, simpler tax system, according to the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE). IPSE’s research found that 80% of freelancers believe that government tax policies, such as IR35, are harming their businesses. Meanwhile, just under half of freelancers… Read more…

The number of self-employed people aged 60 or over has reached a record level, according to analysis by Rest Less. These numbers have increased by over a third in the past decade, totalling 991,432 self-employed people aged 60 or over in 2023. The analysis found that while the number of self-employed workers in their 50s… Read more…

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 September 2024. The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car. The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or… Read more…

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin. The August issue has information on various topics, including: electronic payment deadline falls on a weekend P11D and P11D(b) for tax year 2023 to 2024 supporting employees with changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge pensions for seasonal temporary staff getting your new employees… Read more…

Turning a hobby into a business or setting up a side hustle can be a great way of making extra money. With the cost-of-living crisis, any way to boost earnings can make a huge difference, especially for those who are struggling. However, what happens when you do start making money from your side hustle and… Read more…

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said she was taking difficult decisions after a Treasury spending audit revealed £22 billion of unfunded pledges. Ms Reeves confirmed that the Autumn Budget will take place on 30 October. In a statement to Parliament, the Chancellor made a number of announcements but said there would be more to… Read more…

The first King’s Speech since Labour’s victory in the General Election saw the new government pledge that securing economic growth would be its fundamental mission. King Charles III delivered the 2024 King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament and announced plans to accelerate housebuilding and high-quality infrastructure through planning reform. In the Speech, the… Read more…

HMRC has launched a digital tool to help businesses estimate what registering for VAT may mean for them. The VAT Registration Estimator helps to show businesses when their turnover could require them to register for VAT and its effect on profits. A business must register for VAT if: Total VAT taxable turnover for the previous… Read more…