As we spring into the first week of the 2025-2026 income tax year, what do small businesses have to work with and what path should you take? Here are 10 suggestions for you....

Dear HMRC

Why we need to talk to you…..

As an unrepresented taxpayer with apparently very simple tax affairs, I find myself needing to call you. I really don’t want to. I have better things to do, but I like to know I’m not going to upset you.

This week we heard about a new 1.25% tax to fund health and social care, but as only £5.4bn of the £36bn raised over the next 3 years will be spent on social care, this seems to be another tax 'pot' such as national insurance and income tax from which to fund the NHS.

Unfortunately, tax simplicity and clarity is something we never see from governments making it harder for everyone, including HMRC, to understand the tax system. So how might you respond?

As practical accountants, we see the reality of true self-employment for many of our consultant clients.

This is what yesterday's Budget press release should have said to consultants, sub-contractors and freelancers: