Category: General


  • What is a reasonable excuse for missing a tax deadline?

    Missing a tax deadline can result in penalties from HMRC, but a taxpayer may be able to appeal if they have a genuine reasonable excuse. Whether an excuse is accepted depends on the individual facts and whether the taxpayer took action to put things

  • Budget date announced

    The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey has confirmed, in a video message, that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Details of all the Budget announcements will be made on a special section of the GOV.UK website

  • Is HMRC holding money that belongs to you?

    It is important to know if HMRC is holding money that belongs to you. For example, if you have paid too much tax to HMRC, you may be able to claim a tax refund (also known as a tax rebate). Overpayments can happen for a number of reasons, including

  • Child Benefit and the High Income Child Benefit Charge

    The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) applies where an individual or their partner receives Child Benefit, and their adjusted net income currently exceeds £60,000. The charge may also apply where another person claims Child Benefit for a child

  • Government reviews access to face-to-face banking services

    The government has announced a review into access to face-to-face banking services as concerns continue to grow over the impact of bank branch closures on local communities, older customers and small businesses. Over recent years, many high street

  • Increase in approved mileage rates

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves updated Parliament on 21 May 2026 on the Government’s economic response to the war in Iran and the wider measures being taken to support households and businesses with rising cost pressures. One of the

  • Government measures to ease rising fuel costs

    The government has announced a package of measures intended to help motorists and businesses manage rising fuel costs following disruption linked to the conflict in Iran. As part of the package, the temporary 5p fuel duty cut has been extended until

  • New measures aimed at easing living costs

    The Government has announced a new package of measures designed to help households manage rising living costs during the summer months, as concerns continue over inflation, fuel prices and household spending pressures. The package, described as the

  • Fiscal drag explained

    The freezing of tax thresholds can result in a phenomenon commonly referred to as ‘fiscal drag’. This occurs when tax allowances and rate bands remain unchanged while wages and inflation increase. As earnings rise, more taxpayers are ‘dragged’ into

  • Seven million people started new jobs in 2025

    New figures published by HMRC show that more than 7 million people started a new job in 2025, an increase of around 300,000 compared with the previous year. The announcement also highlights the growing number of people moving into new roles or