Northgate Accounting Services

04/06/2026

Good news for employees and self-employed individuals who use their own vehicle for business travel.

The Government has announced an increase to the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments, marking the first rise in 15 years. The change is backdated to 6 April 2026, meaning eligible business mileage already undertaken this tax year may qualify for the higher rate.

📈 New mileage rates for cars and vans:
• 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles (previously 45p)
• 25p per mile for mileage over 10,000 miles (unchanged)

💡 What does this mean?
✅ Employers may wish to review mileage reimbursements made since 6 April 2026 and consider any necessary adjustments.
✅ Employees reimbursed below the approved rate may be entitled to claim tax relief on the difference.
✅ Self-employed individuals using the simplified expenses method can use the new rates when preparing their 2026/27 tax return.

With rising fuel, insurance and vehicle running costs, this increase will be welcomed by many businesses and workers who rely on their own vehicles for work.

If you'd like advice on how these changes affect your business or payroll processes, get in touch with our team.

03/06/2026

We have developed an online quoting tool where either an Individual Sole Trader or Limited Company can get a quote Directly online without needing to register an email before you see the price. So if you are a new business and interested in seeing what your accounting cost will be, click on the link below and check it out. If you are happy with the price send in your details and we will be in touch:

Get an instant accounting quote online with Northgate Accounting's bespoke quote tool for tailored accountancy services.

02/06/2026

Running a business comes with enough challenges without having to worry about your accounts and tax obligations.

At our offices in Johnstone and Elgin, we support businesses and individuals with a full range of accounting and tax services, helping you stay compliant while giving you the information you need to make confident decisions.

Our services include:

✔️ Year-end accounts
✔️ Corporation & personal tax
✔️ Bookkeeping & VAT
✔️ Payroll
✔️ Business advisory & planning

Whether you're a start-up, an established business, or simply looking for a more proactive accountant, we're always happy to have a conversation about how we can help.

If you'd like to discuss your accounting, tax, or business needs, feel free to get in touch.

28/05/2026

When was the last time you properly checked in on your business finances - not just looked at your bank balance?

A quick financial review can give you powerful insight into where your business really stands.

Here are 3 key areas worth reviewing regularly:

1. Profit
Are you actually profitable once all costs are accounted for - not just “busy” or “bringing money in”?

2. Cash position
Do you have enough cash available to cover upcoming expenses, tax bills, and reinvestment?

3. Liabilities
What do you owe - VAT, loans, suppliers, tax - and when are those payments due?

A business can look successful on the surface but still feel tight on cash if these areas aren’t being tracked together.

💡 Tip: A 30-minute monthly “money check-in” can completely change how confidently you make decisions in your business.

If you’d like support setting up clearer reporting or understanding your numbers better, feel free to get in touch.

26/05/2026

💭 ACCOUNTING MYTHS VS REALITY 💭

❌ Myth: “If it’s a business expense, I can claim absolutely everything.”
✅ Reality: HMRC rules are much stricter than people think - expenses must be wholly and exclusively for business use.

❌ Myth: “Small businesses don’t need an accountant.”
✅ Reality: An accountant can help save time, avoid costly mistakes, and make sure you’re staying compliant.

❌ Myth: “I only need to think about tax at year end.”
✅ Reality: Good tax planning should happen throughout the year, not just when deadlines are approaching.

❌ Myth: “Limited companies always pay less tax.”
✅ Reality: It depends on your income, business structure, and personal circumstances - there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

❌ Myth: “Making more money means I’ll lose it all in tax.”
✅ Reality: Tax bands only apply to the portion of income above each threshold - you won’t suddenly lose all your extra earnings to tax.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to accounting and tax.

If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to ask rather than rely on advice from social media comments or “a friend who knows about tax”.

📩 Get in touch with our team if you need support or have any questions.

25/05/2026

We’re closed today for the Spring Bank Holiday 🌼

Our offices will reopen as normal tomorrow, and we’ll be back to assist you then.

If you need anything in the meantime, feel free to send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Enjoy your bank holiday!

21/05/2026

For many individuals and business owners, pension contributions are one of the most tax-efficient ways to plan for the future.

Here’s why it matters:

• Contributions may qualify for tax relief at your highest rate
• It can reduce your overall taxable income
• You’re building long-term financial security at the same time

Whether you’re self-employed or running a limited company, the way pension contributions are treated can vary - so it’s worth checking you’re using the most tax-efficient approach for your situation.

A small adjustment in how you contribute today could make a significant difference to your retirement fund and tax position over time.

If you’re unsure how pension contributions fit into your tax planning, it’s always worth getting tailored advice.

19/05/2026

💬 ASK AN ACCOUNTANT 💬

Got a question about tax, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll or running your business?

Drop your questions in the comments below or send us a message - no question is too small!

📍 Support available from both our Elgin and Johnstone offices.

14/05/2026

From the 2025/26 tax year onwards, HMRC is introducing additional reporting requirements for directors of close companies on self assessment tax returns.

If you own and run a limited company, this is likely to affect you.

Directors will now need to disclose:
• The company name and company registration number
• The total dividends received from the company
• Their percentage shareholding during the tax year

These details were previously optional but will now be compulsory.

Why the change?
HMRC is increasing its focus on how directors of owner-managed businesses extract income, particularly through dividends. The additional information will help identify cases where dividend income may not have been fully declared.

It’s important that the figures provided are accurate, especially where:
• Shares have changed during the year
• Dividends were received from more than one company
• Shareholdings fluctuated at any point in the tax year

One key point to note: HMRC requires the highest percentage shareholding held at any stage during the tax year to be reported.

These new requirements apply from the 2025/26 tax return, due for submission by 31 January 2027.

If you’re unsure how these changes affect you or your business, it’s worth getting advice early.

11/05/2026

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, led by the Mental Health Foundation.

It’s a reminder that mental health is something everyone has, and something that can change over time for a wide range of reasons.

Work, business pressures, personal circumstances and day-to-day life can all have an impact, even when it isn’t always visible to others.

This week is about raising awareness, encouraging understanding, and making space for conversations that often don’t happen enough.

If you are struggling, or know someone who is, support is available through organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation.

More information can be found here:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23758894960&gbraid=0AAAAADy2YA9sE7S2H1gQtfzx_lwzjl8Si&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIttn8-9OhlAMVG6BQBh1asA0_EAAYASAAEgJH5fD_BwE