Taxable & tax-free state benefits

While there are many state benefits available, it is not always clear which of these are taxable and which are tax-free.

HMRC’s guidance outlines the following list of the most common state benefits which are taxable, subject to the usual limits:

Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s

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What is a demerger?

A demerger involves splitting the trading activities of a single company or group into two or more independent entities. This can be facilitated by distributing the assets of a holding company to its shareholders.

There are special statutory demerger provisions that are designed to make it easier

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Christmas crafters and tax

If you earn fees or sell goods as a side hustle, you may need to pay tax on your profits.

HMRC has launched a new press release encouraging Christmas crafters and anyone with a fee earning hobby to check their tax reporting obligations as part of its Help for Hustles campaign. This is relevant to

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MTD – qualifying income

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord and have over £50,000 in qualifying income you need to start preparing to submit quarterly updates, keeping digital records and cope with a new penalty system.Your

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Preparing for tighter credit conditions in 2026

Many small businesses rely on a mix of overdrafts, card facilities and short term loans to maintain day to day cash flow. During the past year banks and alternative lenders have become more cautious, and several indicators suggest that credit conditions will tighten further during 2026. For business

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Penalty points for late filing of VAT returns

Many businesses are still unaware that the VAT late filing and late payment rules now operate on a points-based system, where repeated delays can quickly lead to a £200 penalty and added interest.

The VAT late filing penalties regime changed for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January

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Paying tax arrears using HMRC payment plans

If you are unable to pay your tax bill, it’s important to reach out to HMRC as soon as possible.

HMRC may offer a Time to Pay arrangement, allowing you to settle the debt in manageable instalments based on your financial situation.

Taxpayers with liabilities of up to £30,000 can use the online

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Set up your tax app with HMRC

The free HMRC tax app now provides quick access to tax codes, income history, self-assessment details, National Insurance records and even payment options, all from your phone.

HMRC’s free tax app is available to download from the App Store for iOS and from the Google Play Store for Android. The

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