Research and Development

11th June 2026

New targeted R&D advance assurance service

Following Budget 2025 promises, HMRC has now launched its targeted research and development (R&D) advance assurance service. Can you use it and if so, what do you need to know before applying?

Capital Gains Tax

11th June 2026

Using the EIS to unwind capital gains tax

You inherited shares from your father last year and sold them several months later making a tidy capital gain. You’ve read that the enterprise investment scheme (EIS) can defer the resulting tax bill, but how might it reduce it?

Directors' Loans

11th June 2026

Avoid the loan waiver NI trap

Your director’s loan account is in the red and has been for quite a while. You intend to clear the debt by having the company waive the loan, but have heard this results in employers’ and employees’ NI charges. What can you do to dodge the NI bill?

Expenses

11th June 2026

Recording non-deductible expenses tax efficiently

As a business owner you often use your firm’s bank card to make small personal purchases. What are your options for recording these in your business records and might the method you use affect your tax bill?

Income Tax

11th June 2026

Investment bond - undercover tax trap?

Inheritance tax is a hot topic but most couples only need to be concerned if they are worth more than £1m. What you don’t hear about is the income tax charge on investment bonds that’s payable on death. Can you reduce the tax bill before it’s too late?

Benefits In Kind

11th June 2026

When are staff discounts tax efficient?

Your business has a high staff turnover rate so you’re looking for cheap or tax-free perks to improve the overall package. You can afford to offer a competitive 35% staff discount on company products/services, but only if it doesn’t cost additional employers’ NI. Is this possible?

VAT

11th June 2026

Can the CIS reverse charge apply to materials?

You own a construction business, which means that you might need to apply the reverse VAT charge to invoices received from subcontractors. However, one subcontractor has added VAT to the materials included in their bill. Is this correct?