Newby Castleman

24/06/2026

Do you run an online / ecommerce business ? There's a new flat-rate duty being introduced on 1 July for low-value parcels being sent to Europe.

The traditional duty-free threshold that has existed for small parcels with a value under EUR 150, is being abolished.

A new flat-rate duty of EUR 3 for each 'line item' category in the parcel will come into force on 1 July.

* For example, if a parcel contains one shirt and two hats (with the whole parcel valued less than EUR 150), it is treated as containing two distinct items, and EUR 6 in customs duty should be paid *

Checklist:
🔅 What types of goods you export
✅ Is your business registered for IOSS
🔴 What is your typical order volume to the EU

Read more here > https://bit.ly/4esR7vn I We’re here to help with specific queries.

15/06/2026

News for small companies & micro entities > Last week saw firm news on the Companies House reporting changes for these size businesses:

❌ From 1 April 2028, small companies and micro-entities will find that the current system of abridged accounts will be abolished.

✅ Profit and loss accounts will be required, and the filing will be through commercial software.

🔅 There will be no need for these companies to file a directors’ report.

More here > https://www.newbycastleman.co.uk/industry-news/companies-house-changes-for-small-companies-micro-entities/

10/06/2026

🔎 R&D tax relief? Get assurance on a claim ... There's a new targeted advance assurance service for projects that are seeking clarification on specific high-risk areas for which assurance is being requested.

🎯 Under this, a company can make up to two applications for assurance. Each application can only include one project and one area of assurance. If you want assurance on another project or area, you will need to submit a separate application.

➡️ The pilot scheme will run until May 2027. Full story > >

Advance assurance is a voluntary service that allows you to send HMRC details of your company’s Research and Development work.

28/05/2026

News from HMRC this week states that only 35% of the first cohort, who qualify for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, have registered for the new way to record and report income and expenses, leaving a lot of landlords and self-employed individuals still to do so.

🔴 HMRC won’t sign taxpayers up automatically. Read our webpage > https://bit.ly/4fdLXnW to see if Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is going to apply to you. It includes information about:

> Checking if you are affected
> Finding out your start date
> Choosing the right software

We’re here to help > https://www.newbycastleman.co.uk/get-in-touch/

26/05/2026

🔴 May rate changes for motorists, hauliers & farmers. As part of a package of new benefits to help with the cost of living, the following measures support individuals and businesses most exposed to rising fuel costs.

🚗 5p fuel duty freeze to continue until the end of 2026.

🛻 Drive for work? tax-free mileage rate raised. This will benefit ‘those who need to drive for work, from care workers to plumbers’ source gov.uk.

🚚 Hauliers: there will be a 12-month road tax holiday for , saving the typical heavy lorry up to £912.

🚜 Farmers and the rail freight industry: the duty will be cut on red diesel by over a third until the end of 2026.

We're Leicester and Loughborough Tax I Audit I Advisory experts. More here/get in touch on these changes to indirect taxes https://www.newbycastleman.co.uk/industry-news/may-26-rate-changes-for-motorists/

The government have announced rate changes for motorists, hauliers and farmers to help with the cost of living

11/05/2026

Last night, we were proud to host a special event bringing together many of our supporters, partners and champions to share exciting new projects and the future direction of the charity.

The evening centred around a powerful message from our CEO, Emily, about the importance of empowering people to make better decisions - not just in childhood, but through every stage of life.

“Because better decisions don’t happen by accident. They happen when people are given knowledge, support and confidence to make different choices.”

Emily spoke about how Warning Zone is continuing to grow to meet the needs of a changing world - from tackling online harms, gambling awareness and violence against women and girls, to supporting adults with additional needs and helping young people navigate increasingly complex risks both online and offline.

One of the most powerful moments of the evening came from High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Mel Thomas Qpm, who shared a personal reflection about the lasting impact Warning Zone had on his own daughter:

“She said, ‘I’m still traumatised from Warning Zone!’… but you remember it. It obviously had an impact.”

After serving 30 years policing Leicester, he described visiting Warning Zone for the first time as something that “blew me away”, praising the charity’s ethos and the positive impact it has on children and young people across the region.

The event was a reminder that Warning Zone is about far more than delivering sessions. It is about helping people understand risk, build confidence, and make safer, stronger decisions throughout life.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, supports us, partners with us and believes in the work we do. Together, we can help even more people access life-changing education and support.

27/04/2026

🔴 Are there changes to your business that require you to update your VAT registration?
> In a business's life, many factors may affect a VAT registration. Our VAT and business tax experts can advise on when HMRC should be told of particular changes, but as a checklist, the following need consideration:

– someone takes over your business
– you change legal entity
– you are registered as a VAT group
– you are also VAT registered and intend to create or join a group
– you are already VAT registered and want to join the Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme
– your business activity involves supplies of land and buildings
– you use the Tour Operators Margin Scheme
– you are a barrister
– you are an agent for other VAT-registered businesses
– you should not have cancelled your registration
– you need to register again
– you are a non-established taxable person.

Visit Newby Castleman I Tax Audit Advisory for information > https://bit.ly/4ua5EAW

21/04/2026

🌟 Congratulations to Joshua Brown ACA, who finished the Manchester Marathon in 4:07:07, on Sunday. A great effort and well done from us all!

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ 'I went out aiming for the moon with a 3:45 goal. I felt strong through the early miles, and my pacing was perfect until around 28km when my right calf heavily cramped up and changed the race completely. From that point on, it wasn’t about pace anymore - it was about grit and determination to get to the finish line.'

'The last stretch was a serious mental battle. I slowed down, pushed through the discomfort, and managed to get over the finish line. Not pretty, not what I planned, missed the moon but landed amongst the stars and joined the 1% Club.'

😊 'A huge thank you to everyone for the donations.'

Josh has raised an incredible £1,355 for Headway! Anyone wanting to congratulate Josh and raise money for his chosen charity can still do so >> https://www.justgiving.com/page/joshuabrown1?newPage=true

20/04/2026

🐬💜 The Newby Castleman Dolphins took part in the Rotary Club of Oadby 10th Annual Swimarathon yesterday, and exceeded the previous year's total with a fantastic 153 lengths swum over 55 minutes.

🪇📣 This fun, lively, and often noisy event involves teams of 2 to 6 swimmers covering lengths relay-style within the allotted time.

The Rotary Club's 9 previous Swimarathons have made 62 donations totalling £27,700 to 24 Leicester and Leicestershire charities.

The other highlights for our team this year were Newby Castleman swimming hats, and over £250 raised for:

- local charities, and

- international organisations like Mary's Meals, which provide a daily meal to children throughout 16 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean,

- Kasupe Primary School in Chipata, Zambia.