WBV Chartered Accountants

16/07/2026

Tradespeople – what's the most unusual "while you're here..." request you've ever had?

We've all heard the classic "Can you just..." but some requests really take things to another level!

According to new research from Simply Business, tradespeople have been asked to:
🐄 Help retrieve a live cow from a swimming pool
🐈 Bury what was thought to be a customer's cat (which later turned out to be the neighbour's!)
🧳 Deliver a customer's partner's belongings to a hotel
🐶 Even keep an eye on pets, and, in a small number of cases, children!

The research also found that 92% of UK tradespeople have been asked to take on work outside the original booking, costing an average of 1.8 hours a week in unpaid extras, around £2,600 a year in lost earnings!

💬 We'd love to hear your stories... What's the most unusual "while you're here..." request you've ever received?

Read the full research from Simply Business here:

https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/trades/unpaid-tasks-costing-uk-tradespeople/

New research reveals the true cost of being helpful on your business.

14/07/2026

Good bookkeeping is about more than staying compliant—it's about giving your business the tools to succeed.

Swipe through for 7 simple bookkeeping habits that can help you stay organised, save time and make more informed financial decisions.

💬 Which habit do you already do well, and which could you improve? Let us know in the comments.

09/07/2026

Have you received a letter claiming you're entitled to a VAT repayment? Think twice before you respond.

We're aware of a convincing scam currently targeting VAT-registered businesses. Fraudsters are sending letters that closely resemble official HMRC correspondence, complete with logos, professional formatting and references to recent legislation to make them appear genuine.

Before taking any action, remember:

✅ HMRC website links will always end in .gov.uk
❌ Be wary of links ending in .com, .co.uk, .org or anything else.

Other warning signs include:
• Requests for sensitive personal or banking information
• Pressure to act immediately
• Generic greetings or spelling mistakes
• Instructions to claim refunds or make payments through unofficial channels

Scammers rely on people being busy and reacting quickly. Taking a moment to check the details could save your business from fraud.

If you receive a suspicious letter, email or text claiming to be from HMRC, don't click any links or provide any information until you've verified it's genuine.

If you're ever unsure, get in touch with us first. We're always happy to help you check whether a communication is legitimate before you respond.

07/07/2026

Bookkeeping can be one of those jobs that's easy to put of but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Every business owner has different challenges when it comes to staying on top of their finances, and we'd love to know what's been the biggest hurdle for you.

Do you struggle with any of the following:
👉Finding time
👉Payroll
👉Software
👉Cashflow
👉Something else

If your biggest challenge isn't listed, tell us in the comments. We'd love to hear what's causing you the most frustration, and it could even inspire a future blog or help us create content that answers your questions.

If you'd like practical tips on building better bookkeeping habits, take a look at our latest blog: https://wbvaccountants.co.uk/7-bookkeeping-habits-for-small-businesses

7 Bookkeeping Habits - Small Businesses. A few simple habits can save time, improve cash flow visibility, and make tax reporting much easier.

02/07/2026

Bookkeeping often ends up at the bottom of the to-do list when you're busy running a business. But spending just a little time each week keeping your finances in order can save you hours of stress later on.

With Making Tax Digital changing how many businesses report to HMRC, now is the perfect time to build better bookkeeping habits. From separating your business and personal finances to making the most of cloud accounting software, small changes can make a big difference to your cash flow, tax reporting, and overall financial visibility.

In our latest blog, we've shared 7 simple bookkeeping habits every small business owner should adopt to stay organised, compliant, and in control of their finances.

📖 Read the full article here: https://wbvaccountants.co.uk/7-bookkeeping-habits-for-small-businesses/

7 Bookkeeping Habits - Small Businesses. A few simple habits can save time, improve cash flow visibility, and make tax reporting much easier.

26/06/2026

On the back of our recent blog about quarterly reporting, it's worth highlighting a benefit that is often overlooked.

Many business owners see quarterly reporting as an administrative task that simply needs to be completed and submitted.

But it can be much more valuable than that.

Used properly, quarterly reporting creates a regular opportunity to step back and review the financial health of your business.

Ask yourself:

✅ Is the business profitable
✅ How is cash flow looking?
✅ Are costs increasing in any areas?
✅ Are there outstanding debts that need attention?
✅ What investments or major expenses are coming up?

One of the biggest benefits of reviewing your finances every quarter is that it helps identify potential issues before they become serious problems.

Small changes in profitability, cash flow, or overheads are often easier to address when spotted early.

Rather than viewing quarterly reporting as a compliance exercise, consider it a management tool that provides valuable insight into how your business is performing and where action may be needed.

The businesses that regularly review their numbers are often better positioned to make informed decisions and plan ahead with confidence.

25/06/2026

Quarterly tax reporting doesn't have to be complicated.

The key? Good records, the right systems, and a little preparation throughout the year. With Making Tax Digital now rolling out, small businesses need to be ready for more regular reporting requirements.

Read our Small Business Survival Guide 👇

https://wbvaccountants.co.uk/quarterly-tax-reporting-a-small-business-survival-guide/

Quarterly Tax Reporting. From April 2026, self-employed and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 will need to keep digital records.

24/06/2026

With the new tax year well underway, it's easy to lose sight of upcoming deadlines.

To help you stay on track, here's a quick reminder of the key HMRC deadlines for early July 2026.

Missing a deadline could result in penalties so make sure you've got these in your diary.

Need support please get in touch, we're here to help.

19/06/2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is now live... are you ready for the first quarterly deadline?

Many sole traders and landlords are still unaware that from 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax became mandatory for those with gross income exceeding £50,000 from self-employment and/or property income.

If you're affected, the first reporting deadline is approaching fast.

2026/27 Quarterly Submission Deadlines

Q1: 6 April – 5 July 2026 → Due 7 August 2026
Q2: 6 July – 5 October 2026 → Due 7 November 2026
Q3: 6 October 2026 – 5 January 2027 → Due 7 February 2027
Q4: 6 January – 5 April 2027 → Due 7 May 2027
Final Declaration for 2026/27 → Due 31 January 2028

A few points that are catching people out:

The £50,000 threshold is based on gross income, not profit.
Self-employment income and property income are combined when assessing whether you're within MTD.
Digital record keeping and MTD-compatible software are now required.
Quarterly updates are not tax payments, but they are mandatory submissions.

Remember, the threshold falls to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028, meaning many more taxpayers will soon be affected.

If you're a sole trader or landlord and haven't yet enrolled, now is the time to get your systems and software in place before the first deadline arrives.

Have you started preparing for MTD yet, or are you still working out whether it applies to you?

17/06/2026

Reminder - HMRC mileage rates changed from April 2026.

For the first time in many years, the HMRC approved mileage rate for cars and vans has increased from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles.

That may not sound like much, but for employees and business owners who regularly travel for work, the increase could make a noticeable difference over the course of a year.

What are the new rates?

✅ Cars & vans: 55p per mile (first 10,000 business miles)
✅ Cars & vans: 25p per mile (over 10,000 miles)
✅ Motorcycles: 24p per mile
✅ Bicycles: 20p per mile

What should businesses do now?

👉 Review mileage reimbursement policies
👉 Check payroll and expense systems are updated
👉 Ensure employees are claiming the correct rates
👉 Consider the impact on travel budgets and forecasting

With fuel, insurance and vehicle running costs continuing to rise, this update is a welcome change for many workers who use their own vehicles for business travel.

Have you reviewed your mileage rates yet?

Full HMRC guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-travel-mileage-and-fuel-allowances/travel-mileage-and-fuel-rates-and-allowances