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Helen Beaumont

Essendon Tax

Independent tax consultants ...



What documents do executors need to get started with probate?
Probate: what documents do executors need to get started?

What documents do executors need? In short, the papers that prove identity, assets, liabilities and family links matter most. Good records make probate application documents easier to prepare, reduce delays and help executors ...

Zero-hours contracts are undergoing significant changes impacting both employers and employees
How Zero-Hours Contracts are changing under new rules

Zero-Hours Contracts are not being banned, but they are being tightened dramatically. The direction of travel is clearer pay, more notice, and fewer surprises for workers. UK employers should start thinking now about how they ...

What are the latest changes in dividend disclosures for close company directors?
New dividend disclosures for close company directors explained

Dividend disclosures on the new SA102 boxes can feel fiddly at first, but the key point is simple. If the person is a director of one close company, the reporting follows that company, not every company in which they happen t ...

Splitting a business to avoid VAT may seem like a smart move, but it can have serious consequences in the long run
Why splitting a business to avoid VAT can backfire badly

Splitting a business to avoid VAT may look clever, but it often isn't. HMRC can join entities together where links exist and challenge the arrangement. Consider contracts, commercial reality, and long-term costs before acting ...

Reduce Capital Gains Tax with these three legitimate methods that can help you save money and maximise your profits
Three legitimate ways to reduce Capital Gains Tax

A few sensible moves can help someone reduce Capital Gains Tax without taking risks. Using the capital gains allowance, sheltering investments in ISAs or pensions, and planning sales carefully all matter. It is practical tax ...

Get ready for the summer of VAT complexity and unexpected 5% surprises as new regs bring challenges for businesses
Welcome to the summer of VAT complexity and 5% surprises

This summer's VAT complexity is not just about cheaper tickets and meals. It also brings fresh admin, tricky boundaries, and significant VAT compliance work for businesses. A small saving for families, perhaps, but a big exer ...

The middle income trap is a crucial consideration when discussing the impact of a salary sacrifice cap
Why the middle-income trap matters in the salary sacrifice cap

The salary sacrifice cap sounds as though it is aimed at high earners, but the detail creates a middle-income trap for everyday savers and SMEs. Below £2,000, the system still works well; above that, NI costs, payroll pressur ...

P11D deadline for HMRC expenses is approaching, make sure to file your Benefits in Kind before the final deadline
Final P11D deadline for HMRC expenses and Benefits in Kind filing

The P11D deadline for HMRC expenses remains important this year, but bigger changes are coming soon. Employers using the old system should file on time, while others should start preparing for payroll reporting of Benefits in ...

Tax return changes have increased the burden on company directors, adding extra pressure to their already demanding roles
Tax return changes put extra pressure on company directors

Tax return changes are introducing a new admin for company directors, particularly regarding shareholdings and close companies. The rules do not force everyone into self-assessment, but they do make existing returns more deta ...

Business budgets are feeling the squeeze due to the recent employer national insurance increase
Employers' National Insurance increase and the squeeze on business budgets

The Employers' National Insurance increase is making payroll more expensive, and that ripples through hiring, wages and investment. Businesses are feeling the strain, especially where margins are thin. It is a simple change w ...

It's crucial for online sellers to ensure that their income is accurately reported!
HMRC Taking A Good Look At Savvy Online Sellers

HMRC's new data sharing initiative, which aligns with the OECD's global objective to tackle tax evasion, has been met with mixed reactions from online sellers ... ...

Tax on winter fuel payments to hit millions of UK pensioners as new regulations come into effect
Millions of pensioners face tax on winter fuel payments as rules change

Millions of pensioners will face tax on winter fuel payments if their income surpasses the new threshold. Some will have taxes deducted through PAYE, while others will need to handle it via a tax return. Although it appears s ...

Business taxes underwent changes on 6th April 2026. Find out which ones were affected and how it may impact you
Which business taxes changed on 6th April 2026?

A number of business taxes changed on 6th April 2026: capital allowances were trimmed, company car and van charges increased, and some reliefs were shifted too. My blog post this week is a practical tax update for firms keepi ...

Get ready for the upcoming 2026 tax changes with my guide for individuals and businesses
April 2026 tax changes explained for individuals and businesses

The 2026 tax changes are arriving in stages, and the biggest pressure points are dividends, capital gains, inheritance tax reliefs, and payroll costs. Individuals and business owners may have planning options before April 202 ...

ISA tax advantages, Invest and save wisely, Future security
ISA tax advantages at year-end: Bed and ISA before the 5th April 2026

Here's the quick chat on Bed and ISA before the tax year end: sell in a taxable account, then rebuy inside an ISA. Done well, it's practical Capital Gains Tax planning and long-term tax-free investing. The ISA tax advantages ...

MTD for Income Tax, Filing can be such a task, But deadlines must pass
MTD for Income Tax for non-residents: key changes, dates, and what to do

If someone lives abroad but still has UK income, the reporting rules are about to shift. MTD for Income Tax brings digital records and quarterly updates, with phased start dates based on gross income. This post explains what ...

Property Incorporation Relief, Tax break for business growth, No longer automatic
Property Incorporation Relief from April 2026: what changes and why it matters

Property incorporation relief is moving from automatic to claims-based from April 2026. That sounds minor, but it changes deadlines, paperwork, and risk if anything is missed. Here's what landlords and advisers should line up ...

Changes to Inheritance Tax, Challenge legacy's grasp, Families may shift
The 2026 changes to Inheritance Tax: what families need to know

Here's the practical view on the changes to Inheritance Tax in 2026, and why 'frozen' can still mean 'costly'. It covers the sticking points around thresholds, new relief limits for businesses and farms, and why AIM and pensi ...

Cryptoasset disclosure, Service ensures transparency, Invest with knowledge
Why HMRC's cryptoasset disclosure service has raised only £4m so far

HMRC's cryptoasset disclosure service has brought in only about £4m, despite tens of thousands of nudges. That gap hints at low awareness, wishful thinking, or simple avoidance. This is what it means for crypto tax, and why a ...

Top tax tips to save, Track expenses, deductions, Maximize returns
Top tax tips for smart year-end tax planning before April

Here are top tax tips to tidy up savings, ISAs, pensions and gains before April. It's a friendly run-through of what people miss and how to fix it. Think of it as a quick chat that could save real money ... ...

Ground rents to be capped, From the old way to the new, Feudal system abolished!
Ground rents to be capped: what the new £250 limit means

Ground rents will be capped at £250 from 2028, and the rules mostly target future homes rather than existing leases. It's part of wider leasehold reform and a push towards commonhold.The direction is clearer, but today's leas ...

Late tax return penalties, Mounting stress and worry, When January passes by
Why late tax return penalties keep rising as HMRC clamps down

Late tax return penalties are rising because more tax goes unpaid, and HMRC is pushing harder. If you're late, the costs can stack up quickly, but you can sometimes challenge mistakes or agree on a payment plan. So always act ...

Pay your self-assessment bill, Time to face the numbers still, Taxes, a bitter pill
Can't pay your self-assessment bill by the 31st of January?

If you can't pay your self-assessment bill by the 31st of January, don't hide from it. Get the numbers right, pay what you can, and talk to HMRC early about a time to pay arrangement. You'll usually reduce late payment penalt ...

Mid-year Capital Gains Tax rate change, Shifting tides of wealth, Constant rearranged
UK tax returns and the mid-year Capital Gains Tax rate change in 2024/25

The mid-year Capital Gains Tax rate change means HMRC's online return may miscalculate CGT after the 30th of October 2024. Taxpayers may need to compute an adjustment and enter it manually. A careful check now can prevent und ...

Self-assessment filing deadline, Ticking clock, papers pile high, Deep breath, taxes done
New Year Nudge: Beat the self-assessment filing deadline without stress

Here's the simple reality of the self-assessment filing deadline: it doesn't move, but your stress can. My blog post this week explains why filing early helps, what HMRC charges for delays, and how an online tax return can ke ...

HMRC Christmas tax rules, Complicate the season's joys, Taxes on all gifts
How HMRC Christmas tax rules trip up festive side hustlers

HMRC Christmas tax rules often surprise side hustlers each December. Here's what counts, what doesn't, and when to register. Stay compliant and keep more of your Christmas earnings ... ...

File a self assessment tax return, Crunching numbers tight, Owed or refunded
Do I need to file a self-assessment tax return?

Unsure if you must file a self-assessment tax return? This guide explains who needs to file, what income triggers it, and how to register with HMRC. Get clear before the tax return deadline ... ...

Salary sacrifice changes , Savings for the future , Trade now for later
Salary sacrifice changes set to hit millions of UK employees

Salary sacrifice changes will cap tax-free pension contributions at £2,000 from April 2029. Many employees and employers will face higher costs and new admin. Here's what's changing, who's affected, and how to prepare ... ...

Beat the Budget tax, Shake off financial burden, Freedom in our grasp
Nine ways to beat the Budget tax burden this year

Here's my smart, simple guide to beat the Budget tax burden without drama. I'll cover pensions, ISAs, dividends, cash, IHT and more. Read this to prioritise your tax savings and plan ahead with calm planning ... ...

Pension salary sacrifice, A choice for the future, Savings bloom in spring?
Chancellor eyes pension salary sacrifice: a £5.1bn question

Rumours in the media suggest the Chancellor may curb pension salary sacrifice in the Autumn Budget. Employers, employees, and HMRC see risks to take-home pay and saving habits. Here's what could really happen ... ...

Inheritance tax, Transitional gifting rule, Pass on with purpose
Why farmers need an inheritance tax transitional gifting rule now

Older farmers face a cliff edge in April 2026. An inheritance tax transitional gifting rule could ease pressure and protect family businesses. Here's why it matters and what should happen next ... ...

Inheritance tax risk, Family business at stake, Planning is crucial
Inheritance Tax risk for family-owned businesses: act before reliefs shrink!

Here's the lowdown on Inheritance Tax risk for family-owned businesses and why time matters. Reliefs are tightening, and proactive planning can save millions. Start now to secure business succession and family wealth ... ...

© 2026 by Helen Beaumont

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