Stonegate Bookkeeping and Accountancy

07/10/2026

The reality of running a small business…

I’ve been in business for over 10 years now, and for most of that time I’ve managed to keep everything moving — through busy periods, family life, deadlines and all the usual challenges that come with being self-employed.

But sometimes life has other ideas.

I had surgery a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, my recovery hasn’t been quite as quick as I’d hoped. I’m getting there, but at the moment this is what my office looks like some days! 💻🛏️

I’m working from my bed when I’m able, and Alison and Jade are doing a fantastic job keeping things moving, but communication and some pieces of work are inevitably taking me longer than usual.

I know that can be frustrating when you’re waiting for an answer from me, and I genuinely appreciate the patience and understanding I’ve been shown.

It has also reminded me of one of the realities of being a sole trader. You can build systems, have a brilliant team and run a successful business for years — but ultimately, when the person at the centre of that business suddenly has to stop, even temporarily, you discover where the pressure points are.

There are definitely some lessons I’ll be taking from this once I’m properly back on my feet.

For now, I’m recovering, working when I can, and trying to resist the accountant’s instinct to believe that every problem can be solved by opening the laptop. 😂

Thank you to everyone who has been patient with me. ❤️

09/06/2026

Many business owners are still unaware of the changes and the additional reporting requirements that will apply.

If you’re a sole trader or landlord and are unsure whether MTD will affect you, now is the time to start planning rather than waiting until the filing deadline approaches.

Stonegate Accountancy & Bookkeeping can help you understand the requirements, choose suitable software and prepare for the transition.

08/06/2026

Myth Busting MTD for Income Tax

08/06/2026

HMRC Update: Temporary VAT Reduction for Summer 2026

The Government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT from 20% to 5% on certain children’s meals and family leisure activities this summer.

The reduced rate applies from 25 June 2026 to 1 September 2026 and may affect businesses such as:

🍽️ Restaurants and cafés offering children’s menu meals
🎭 Theatres and cinemas
🎢 Family attractions, theme parks and adventure centres
🛝 Soft play centres and similar venues

If your business operates in one of these sectors, it is important to understand:

✅ Whether your supplies qualify
✅ How to apply the correct VAT rate
✅ The treatment of mixed supplies and meal deals
✅ The timing rules for sales during the qualifying period

Businesses should ensure their tills, booking systems and accounting software are updated correctly to avoid VAT reporting issues.

If you’re unsure whether your business qualifies or need help applying the correct VAT treatment, please get in touch.

08/06/2026

📢 Payroll Changes Are Coming – Is Your Business Ready?

Payroll legislation is changing significantly over the next two years, and employers need to be prepared.

Some of the key changes include:

✅ Mandatory payrolling of most Benefits in Kind from April 2027, replacing many P11D submissions.
✅ Changes to Statutory Sick Pay rules.
✅ New employment rights and employer obligations.
✅ Continued increases to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.
✅ Ongoing updates to payroll reporting and compliance requirements.

For many businesses, payroll is no longer just about paying wages. Employers will need to ensure their systems, processes and records are ready for the changes ahead.

If you employ staff and are unsure how these changes may affect your business, now is a good time to review your payroll arrangements and plan ahead.

At Stonegate Accountancy & Bookkeeping, we help employers stay compliant and avoid unexpected payroll headaches.

📞 Get in touch if you’d like to discuss your payroll obligations or review your current payroll setup.

09/04/2026

02/04/2026

MTD is coming — your setup matters.

👉 Simple business?
A bank like Monzo can handle the basics.

👉 Want full support and better insight?
We recommend Xero (from £7 + VAT/month)

✔ Stay compliant
✔ Stay organised
✔ Know your numbers

Message us and we’ll help you choose the right option.

31/03/2026

From April 2026, many sole traders and landlords will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.

If you’re unsure where to start, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to manage it yourself.

We can help you:

- Get your records set up digitally
- Keep everything up to date throughout the year
- Ensure you stay fully compliant with HMRC requirements

Whether you want full support or just guidance, we’ll tailor the process to suit you.

31/03/2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax begins on April 6th 2026
for sole traders and landlords with total sales/property income over £50,000

Those with income over £30,000 are mandated from April 2027.

HMRC have plans to expand this further in 2028

What this means:
From these dates, you must keep digital records AND use compatible software to send quarterly updates to HMRC