New rules in relation to subcontracted R&D and the impact on claims

Test tubes filled with blue liquid

The merged scheme has introduced new rules and changes to be aware of.  A significant one for those companies that have previously claimed under the SME scheme is changes to contracted out R&D, more commonly referred to as the subcontractor rules. Under the previous rules, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), were able to claim […]

Inheritance Tax – Budget 2024

A hand holding a pound bag of money in front of a farm

No longer is the default advice to leave all assets to a spouse or to maximise pension contributions. In this article we detail the biggest announced changes and consider some implications.   PENSIONS What’s changing? Undrawn pensions are currently exempt from IHT. From April 2027 that is set to change when pensions become fully chargeable […]

Changes to Employers’ National Insurance – April 2025

Employees looking at documents in an office

These changes include the increase in rate of employers’ national insurance from 13.8% to 15% and the reduction of the secondary threshold from the current level of £9,100 to £5,000. The table below highlights the impact of the reduction to the secondary threshold: Pay Frequency Current Threshold Threshold from 6 April 2025 Weekly £175.00 £96.00 […]

Unwrapping the tax benefits of Christmas parties and festive gifts

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Trivial Benefits: Small Perks, Big Impact Employers can provide qualifying trivial benefits tax-free without the hassle of reporting requirements. Here’s what you need to know: Annual Cap: Directors and office-holders in close companies can receive up to £300 in trivial benefits per tax year: there is no limit for employees. Cost Limit: Each benefit must […]

Promotions and appointments as firm celebrates successful year

Abi Cornford and Phoebe Hughes, who specialise in audit services for private businesses, SMEs and UK subsidiaries of overseas groups, have been promoted to become managers. Joining Abi and Phoebe in the business services team, which encompasses audit, accountancy and payroll services, are manager Ben Hinton, senior Tomos Hill, assistant Oliver Sims and trainees Tiffany […]

Autumn Budget 2024 – A Budget for growth? The proof will be in the pumpkin

Orange pumpkins

Most of what was said was expected but there will be disappointment from business owners that they will need to stump up more than had been trailed. As well as the rate of employers’ NICs increasing from 13.8% to 15%, the threshold at which the NICs become payable has been reduced from £9,100 to £5,000 […]

PAYE – references and deadlines

A woman uses a calculator and laptop to work out payroll

For employers paying electronically, the deadline for payments to reach HMRC is the 22nd of each month following the end of the tax month on the 5th. However, if the 22nd falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the payment deadline is brought forward to the previous working day. It is therefore essential to schedule […]

New appointments strengthen audit and accountancy team at independent firm

Four employees stand in front of purple and blue walls. There are two senior male employees sat in front of them at a white table

Channa Wijesekera joins Kilsby Williams from one of the ‘Big Four’ global accounting firms and will use his external audit, internal audit and special assignments experience to support the firm’s audit specialists as a senior. Channa said: “I am very grateful to all the Partners of Kilsby Williams for the opportunity given to me. It […]

Changes to the taxation of non-UK doms – an update

A yellow bag and blue suitcase in front of a blue wall

While she was speaking, her colleagues at the Treasury published a policy paper providing an update on the planned changes to the UK’s taxation of so-called non-doms. As a reminder, the remittance basis of taxation currently gives UK tax resident non-doms (i.e. individuals living in the UK but who have not decided to live here […]

The VAT is out of the (school) bag

A desk in a classroom with books, pencils, ABC blocks and an apple on it.

Since coming to power there has been much debate on how and when the exemption would be removed. On 29 July the Chancellor Rachel Reeves made a statement to parliament and the Treasury published draft legislation to finally let the cat out of the bag on this. The key elements of the changes are as […]