Ashleys Chartered Certified Accountants

23/10/2026

Just a reminder…

22/10/2026

If you’re a sole trader or landlord using MTD for Income Tax, your next quarterly update is due by 7th November. Make sure your digital records are up to date and submit through compatible software.

What happens if you miss it?

HMRC won’t issue penalties or penalty points for late quarterly updates in 2026/27. However, you must still submit these updates before you can file your tax return, so falling behind could leave you with more work later.

From 2027/28, missed quarterly deadlines will attract penalty points. Reaching four points triggers a £200 penalty, with further £200 penalties for subsequent missed submission deadlines.

Need help keeping your records and submissions on track?
Contact our Hitchin team ahead of the deadline.

21/10/2026

Don’t forget - if you need some retirement financial planning advice, our Hitchin team is here to help.

20/10/2026

If you earn over £30k as a sole trader or landlord, you need to comply with Making Tax Digital from next April.

If you need a hand getting ready for the transition then speak to our Hitchin team.

The second part of the MTD roll-out will affect about 1.08 million people

19/10/2026

From choosing between sole trader and limited company to knowing what to put aside for tax, there’s plenty to think about when you’re starting out.

At Ashleys, we can help with business structure, tax registration, bookkeeping and cash flow planning - giving you clear, practical advice from the outset.

Whether you’re developing an idea or have already welcomed your first customers, we’re here to help.

Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation.

16/10/2026

The next phase of Making Tax Digital is coming in April and will affect sole traders and landlords earning over £50k

Get in touch to understand what your obligations are.

The second part of the MTD roll-out will affect about 1.08 million people

15/10/2026

The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners to check whether they are missing out on Pension Credit, worth more than £4,500 a year on average, as part of a fresh awareness campaign launched this week.

Analysis by the charity Independent Age found that more than a million eligible low-income pensioners missed out on the benefit in 2023/24, a combined £2.5 billion in unclaimed support.

The campaign also aims to dispel common myths, including the belief that owning a home or having savings rules someone out of claiming.

For clients with elderly parents or relatives, this is a timely prompt to check eligibility together or help with an application, since Pension Credit can also unlock other support. Anyone needing extra help can turn to charities such as Independent Age or Citizens Advice.

Read more in our article: https://buff.ly/E9tZmlm

14/10/2026

What are the inheritance tax planning mistakes to avoid?

If you need expert help with estate planning, get in touch with our Hitchin team.

IHT is expected to catch nearly 10% of all deaths by 2030-31

13/10/2026

Another helpful (and free!) webinar for small business owners from Small Business Britain

Join Small Business Britain and BT Business for the second webinar in our AI and the Future of Your Business: Protect It, Scale It series, on the 21st of October from 10am-11am.

Hear from Dr Detlef Nauck, BT’s Head of AI and Data Science Research, as he explores what’s next for AI and what it could mean for small businesses.

You’ll get practical insights to help you understand where AI is heading, how it could support your business and how to prepare for future growth.

💻 Online and free to attend.

Register now at: https://forms.gle/tRfYQzYVoh1YcrNg9

Image description: A blue and white themed graphic which features a robot and phone, along with text sharing details about the webinar.

12/10/2026

In the latest ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey, 72% of businesses reported concern about energy prices and 73% about fuel costs - the highest proportions recorded since these questions were introduced. Concern was especially high in accommodation and food services.

Rising costs can put pressure on margins and cashflow. Reviewing your pricing, budgets and cashflow forecasts regularly can help you understand the impact and plan ahead.

If you’d like help reviewing your business finances, book an appointment with our Hitchin team.