Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is now in force for many self-employed individuals and landlords. Since 6 April 2026, taxpayers with qualifying business or property income exceeding £50,000
Author: Aitch
Aitch is the visionary founder and CEO of CIGMA Accounting Ltd, a boutique accounting and tax advisory firm with offices in Wimbledon and Farringdon, London. With over a decade of experience, Aitch has built a reputation for strategic tax planning, complex HMRC compliance resolution, and innovative AI-powered accounting workflows that help SMEs, landlords, and high-net-worth clients streamline their finances.
His expertise spans corporation tax, inheritance tax planning, R&D tax credit claims, capital allowances, and international tax matters, making him a trusted advisor for clients seeking to minimise tax liabilities while staying fully compliant.
Aitch is passionate about bridging traditional accounting principles with cutting-edge digital solutions, allowing businesses to operate efficiently and future-proof their financial systems. Through CIGMA, he aims to make accounting smarter, faster, and more human-centric � empowering clients to focus on growth while staying ahead of regulatory changes.
Fiscal drag explained
The freezing of tax thresholds can result in a phenomenon commonly referred to as 'fiscal drag'. This occurs when tax allowances and rate bands remain unchanged while wages and inflation increase. As
Verify your ID at Companies House
Identity verification requirements at Companies House became a legal requirement for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) from 18 November 2025. This date marked the start of a
Can you claim Business Asset Disposal Relief
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) applies to the sale of a business, shares in a trading company, or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership. When this relief is available, a reduced 18%
VAT Cash Accounting
The VAT Cash Accounting Scheme can help businesses improve cash flow by allowing VAT to be accounted for when customers actually pay invoices, rather than when invoices are issued. This can be
Landlord tax and National Insurance considerations
When renting out property, landlords may have both Income Tax and National Insurance considerations to consider. However, rental income is generally taxable. For individuals, the first £1,000 of
New employers check list
Taking on your first employee can help a business grow, although it also brings a number of important responsibilities. Before employing staff for the first time, business owners should consider the
Covering basic business risks
Many business owners spend considerable time focusing on sales growth, staffing and profitability, although basic business risks are sometimes overlooked until a problem arises. A simple review of key
Can a tribunal be fair after all is long said and done?
Employment disputes can drag on for years, which inevitably raises the question of how long is too long for a hearing to be deemed fair. Mr. Boateng was originally employed in January 2017 by a
Reclaiming VAT on car leasing costs
Businesses that lease cars often assume they can recover all of the VAT charged on car leasing payments. In practice, the rules are more limited. Where a business leases a qualifying car, HMRC
Tax-free gifts for Inheritance Tax purposes
Making gifts during your lifetime can be an effective way to reduce the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. One of the most commonly used exemptions is the annual exemption. This
Tax effects of living away from your home
Many homeowners assume that if a property has been their main residence at some point, any gain made on sale will automatically be free from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Whilst in many cases, this is
Working out your UK residence status
Your UK residence status affects how much tax you pay in the UK and, in particular, whether your foreign income and gains are subject to UK tax. In simple terms, UK residents are normally taxed on
Do you need to register for self-assessment?
Depending on your income and circumstances, you may need to register for self-assessment. This may be the case even if most of your income is taxed through PAYE. You will usually need to file a
Tax and termination payments
The tax treatment of termination payments is governed by a detailed set of rules that determine how much is taxable and whether National Insurance contributions apply. The structure of a termination
Employment law changes pressure small businesses
Many small business owners are already feeling the effects of rising staffing costs, tighter recruitment conditions and increased administration. Recent employment law changes are now adding further
Why cyber security is now a business survival issue
Cyber security is no longer a concern limited to large corporations. Increasingly, smaller businesses are finding themselves targeted by phishing attacks, payment frauds and ransomware incidents, many
The 60% tax band
Many taxpayers are surprised to learn that once their income exceeds £100,000, they can face an effective tax rate of 60%, although officially, no such rate appears to exist. This happens when the
How dividends are taxed
Dividends are taxed differently from other types of income, with separate allowances and tax rates that depend on your overall level of income. You do not pay tax on dividends that fall within your
How capital gains are linked with Income Tax
How capital gains are linked with Income Tax is important to understand as your overall income position affects the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate you pay. CGT interacts directly with your Income Tax
National Insurance liability on benefits in kind
National Insurance contributions that relate to employee benefits are known as Class 1A National Insurance contributions. Employers must pay these National Insurance contributions on most work-related
Self-employed National Insurance
Most self-employed people are required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs). Class 4 NICs are payable if their profits are £12,570 or more a year. Class 4 NIC rates are currently
How the Marriage Allowance works
The Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. Your Personal Allowance is the amount you can earn before paying Income Tax (£12,570
Tax Diary June/July 2026
1 June 2026 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 31 August 2025. 19 June 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 June 2026. (If you pay your tax electronically the due
A pattern of workplace harassment may be treated as a continuous event
A pivotal ruling has raised a protective umbrella over those impacted by a toxic workplace environment, potentially extending employers' legal liability by months or even years. An Employment
Update on Companies House plans for profit and loss filing
There has been considerable discussion over the past year about whether small companies would be required to file profit and loss accounts at Companies House. Many practitioners will be aware that
Non-tax considerations when returning to the UK
Returning to the UK after a period abroad can feel straightforward on the surface, but there are a number of practical and personal matters that need careful thought to ensure a smooth
How bonuses are taxed
Bonuses are treated as taxable earnings, so both employers and employees need to understand how they are taxed and reported. For cash bonuses (including vouchers that can be exchanged for cash), the
Tax on savings interest
If your taxable income for the 2026-27 tax year is less than £17,570, you will not pay any tax on the interest you receive. This figure combines the £5,000 starting rate for savings (taxed at 0%) with
NIC and tax after reaching State Pension age
If you continue working after reaching State Pension age, your National Insurance position changes, but your Income Tax obligations largely remain the same. Once you reach State Pension age, you stop