Ascendis UK

Ascendis UK Ascendis provides pro-active accounting services, practical business & tax planning advice to help yo

HMRC is reminding millions of self assessment taxpayers to prepare for the 2025 to 2026 tax year second payment on accou...
15/07/2026

HMRC is reminding millions of self assessment taxpayers to prepare for the 2025 to 2026 tax year second payment on account, due on 31 July. Taxpayers who plan ahead can avoid last-minute stress and explore flexible ways to settle what they owe.

The 31 July deadline relates to the second payment on account for the 2025 to 2026 tax year. This is one of two advance payments HMRC collects each year towards a taxpayer’s total self assessment bill, helping spread the cost rather than paying a single lump sum in January.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

New research from Pensions UK has revealed a stark gap between what people are saving for retirement and what they will ...
24/06/2026

New research from Pensions UK has revealed a stark gap between what people are saving for retirement and what they will actually need.

According to the report, three quarters of UK workers are not on course to achieve a ‘moderate’ retirement lifestyle - a level that costs an estimated £32,700 a year for a single person or £45,400 for a couple.

The figures become more concerning further up the scale. A comfortable retirement lifestyle, estimated at £45,400 annually for a single person or £62,700 for a couple, is within reach for just 9% of the working population.

Only a minimum lifestyle - costing around £13,900 a year for one person or £22,500 for a couple - is on track for the majority, with the report suggesting around 82% of people will reach that baseline standard.

Read more on our blog - link in bio.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Employers - the P11D deadline is 6 July 2026. That’s just a few weeks away.If you provide benefits to employees - compan...
03/06/2026

Employers - the P11D deadline is 6 July 2026. That’s just a few weeks away.

If you provide benefits to employees - company cars, private medical insurance, gym memberships, interest-free loans, or any other benefit in kind - you need to report these to HMRC on a P11D (or P11D(b)) for the 2025/26 tax year.

Miss the deadline and HMRC will issue automatic penalties. Class 1A National Insurance on those benefits is then due by 22 July 2026.

A quick checklist:
✅ Identify all benefits provided in 2025/26
✅ Check which are already payrolled (those don’t need a P11D)
✅ Gather the relevant values and employee details
✅ Submit by 6 July

If you need support with this, get in touch now - time is tight:
• [email protected]

UKEmployers

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is in full swing, but confusion remains over who is genuinely exempt and what the rule...
28/05/2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is in full swing, but confusion remains over who is genuinely exempt and what the rules actually require.

Recent guidance from HMRC has cleared much of this up - and with the first submission deadline of 7 August 2026 fast approaching, now is the time to understand your position.

HMRC’s guidance confirms that certain individuals are automatically exempt from MTD for Income Tax, including those who are not physically or mentally able to submit digital records, those without a National Insurance number, and certain non-resident taxpayers who file using supplementary pages.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Rising costs are hitting UK businesses from all directions, and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible.New r...
27/05/2026

Rising costs are hitting UK businesses from all directions, and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible.

New research from the Liquidation Centre found that 315,605 jobs have already been flagged for redundancy this year alone as employers look for ways to manage mounting expenses.

But redundancies are not the only path through a difficult financial period - and for many businesses, they may not even be the right one. Cutting headcount can ease short-term pressure while creating longer-term problems around capacity, morale and recovery.

Building greater resilience offers a different route - one that can become a genuine competitive advantage rather than a damage limitation exercise.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

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Self-employed? Don’t forget - your second payment on account for 2025/26 is due 31 July 2026.This is typically half your...
20/05/2026

Self-employed? Don’t forget - your second payment on account for 2025/26 is due 31 July 2026.

This is typically half your previous year’s tax bill. But if your income has dropped this year, you can apply to reduce it - no need to overpay and then wait for a refund.

It’s worth reviewing this now rather than scrambling in July.

We can help you check the figures and apply for a reduction if it makes sense.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Business rates anxiety has hit its highest level in nine years - and firms want actionConcern about business rates has r...
20/05/2026

Business rates anxiety has hit its highest level in nine years - and firms want action

Concern about business rates has reached its highest point since the British Chambers of Commerce began tracking the issue in 2017.

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the first quarter of 2026 found that 41% of businesses cited cost pressure from business rates as a significant concern – a record high and a clear signal that the issue can no longer be deferred.

Read more on our blog.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

⚠️ Important deadline for UK businesses: 6 July 2026If your company has issued shares, granted options, or operated shar...
06/05/2026

⚠️ Important deadline for UK businesses: 6 July 2026

If your company has issued shares, granted options, or operated share plans involving employees or directors this tax year - you may have an Employment-Related Securities (ERS) filing obligation with HMRC.

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ A return is required even if no reportable events took place (a nil return)
✅ HMRC will NOT send reminders — the responsibility is yours
✅ Late filing results in automatic penalties
✅ Online registration can take several weeks, so act early

Key dates:
→ 31 May 2026 - Contact us if you’d like our support
→ 6 July 2026 - HMRC filing deadline

At Ascendis, we can confirm whether you have an obligation, handle your HMRC registration, and prepare and submit your return on your behalf.

If you think this may apply to your business, or if you are simply unsure, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The sooner we hear from you, the more time we have to ensure everything is filed correctly and on time.

Get in touch:
• [email protected]

Most business owners haven’t actually done anything yet for the new tax year.Which is normal - but it’s also where the o...
29/04/2026

Most business owners haven’t actually done anything yet for the new tax year.

Which is normal - but it’s also where the opportunity is.

What you do in April/May tends to have the biggest impact on your tax position for the rest of the year.

5 things worth locking in before May ends:

✅ Reset your salary vs dividends (small tweaks = big yearly impact)

✅ Use your pension allowance early (still one of the most efficient routes)

✅ Don’t waste your ISA allowance

✅ Plan profit extraction - don’t just take dividends ad hoc

✅ Align remuneration with your longer-term plans (especially if you’re thinking about an exit)

None of this is complicated - but leaving it until later usually costs more than people expect.

If you’d like to sense-check your position or talk through any of the above, get in touch today:
• [email protected]

Scaling a business isn’t just about growing revenue - it’s about building the structure to support it.Here are our 10 to...
16/04/2026

Scaling a business isn’t just about growing revenue - it’s about building the structure to support it.

Here are our 10 top tips for scaling successfully:

✅ Clear growth plan
✅ Strong leadership team
✅ Data-led decisions
✅ Early funding strategy
✅ Diversification opportunities
✅ Right people in the right roles
✅ Customer-first mindset
✅ Streamlined operations
✅ Flexibility in strategy
✅ Trusted partners and advisers

Scaling successfully is about building a business that is ready for growth – not just chasing it. With the right strategy, people, and support in place, expansion becomes a structured, sustainable journey.

For tailored advice on scaling your business, speak to the Ascendis team on 0161 359 4227 or email [email protected]

Read more on our blog (Link in bio).

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