The Chartwell Practice

15/10/2026

7.75%

That's what HMRC charges on late payments right now. Base rate plus four percentage points.
In early 2022 it was 2.6%.
Paying HMRC late has quietly become one of the most expensive ways to borrow money available to a small
business — and unlike an overdraft, nobody sold it to you.
If cash flow is the reason you're late, a Time to Pay arrangement is nearly always better than silence.

13/10/2026

Your dividend tax went up in April. Did you notice?

Probably not — because it won't show up until your Self Assessment.
From April 2026:
Ordinary rate: 8.75% → 10.75%
Upper rate: 33.75% → 35.75%
On £40,000 of dividends at the upper rate, that's £800 a year. For a two-director company taking £80,000
between them, £1,600.
If nobody's reviewed your salary/dividend split in a couple of years, this is the year.
It takes us about an hour. Sometimes it finds nothing. Often it doesn't.

08/10/2026

£20,000. That's the line now.

Making Tax Digital thresholds are falling fast:
April 2026 → over £50,000
April 2027 → over £30,000
April 2028 → over £20,000
Here's the bit people miss: the April 2028 wave is judged on your 2026/27 income. The year you're in right
now.
And "qualifying income" means gross income before expenses — not profit.
£20,000 of rent with £8,000 of costs? You're in.

01/10/2026

The Autumn Budget lands on 28 October 2026.
Income tax rates, employee National Insurance and VAT have all been publicly ruled out — that's around 60%
of total tax receipts off the table.
Which makes everything else considerably harder to predict.
We're watching: business rates, capital gains, inheritance tax reliefs, and property taxation.
Our plain-English summary goes out within 24 hours of the speech. No transcript, no jargon — just what it
means for owner-managed businesses.
Want it? The Autumn Budget lands on 28 October 2026.
Income tax rates, employee National Insurance and VAT have all been publicly ruled out — that's around 60%
of total tax receipts off the table.
Which makes everything else considerably harder to predict.
We're watching: business rates, capital gains, inheritance tax reliefs, and property taxation.
Our plain-English summary goes out within 24 hours of the speech. No transcript, no jargon — just what it
means for owner-managed businesses.
Want it? Drop a 📩 below.

29/09/2026

Every UK company director and PSC must now verify their identity with Companies House.
The transition period closes in November 2026.
Miss it and two things happen:
→ You can't file anything. No accounts, no confirmation statement, no appointments.
→ You get a financial penalty.
It takes about fifteen minutes through GOV.UK One Login. Or we can do it for you.
Dormant company? Spouse listed as second director? They count too.
📞 01283 741400

23/09/2026

Cryptoassets are not exempt from tax, so it’s important to know the basics: namely, how they are taxed, and what (if anything) you need to report to the tax authorities.

17/09/2026

Working for yourself or running your own business? Setup robust systems for expenses & tax requirements so you can focus on your important tasks. We can help take the headaches out of your business accounting.

Expert accountants in Burton On Trent that specialise in advising businesses & individuals offering comprehensive accounting, tax and business advisory services.

15/09/2026

The PM announced a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October. While this measure is primarily targeted at households, some smaller businesses will, importantly, also be eligible for relief.

Expert accountants in Burton On Trent that specialise in advising businesses & individuals offering comprehensive accounting, tax and business advisory services.

10/09/2026

A solid budget is the foundation for your company’s financial management and success. Here are 4 detailed strategies to stay in control of your business budgeting.

Expert accountants in Burton On Trent that specialise in advising businesses & individuals offering comprehensive accounting, tax and business advisory services.

08/09/2026

Micromanaging your team can be self-defeating. Let’s explore Steve Jobs’ 10-80-10 approach to people management and the freedom and innovation potential it can bring for your staff.

Expert accountants in Burton On Trent that specialise in advising businesses & individuals offering comprehensive accounting, tax and business advisory services.