Thompson Elphhick News
What is a demerger?
A demerger involves splitting the trading activities of a single company or group into two or more independent entities. This can be facilitated by distributing the assets of a holding company to its
Christmas crafters and tax
If you earn fees or sell goods as a side hustle, you may need to pay tax on your profits. HMRC has launched a new press release encouraging Christmas crafters and anyone with a fee earning hobby to
MTD – qualifying income
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord and have over £50,000 in qualifying income you need to start
Early termination of probation can constitute wrongful dismissal
The claimant began employment as a Contracts Coordinator on 23 January 2023, subject to a contractual 6-month probationary period, one which required 5 weeks' notice for termination. The contract
Preparing for tighter credit conditions in 2026
Many small businesses rely on a mix of overdrafts, card facilities and short term loans to maintain day to day cash flow. During the past year banks and alternative lenders have become more cautious,
Increase in the London congestion charge from January 2026
The daily charge for driving within the London Congestion Charge zone will rise from £15 to £18 from 2 January 2026. This is the first increase in several years and forms part of Transport for
Penalty points for late filing of VAT returns
Many businesses are still unaware that the VAT late filing and late payment rules now operate on a points-based system, where repeated delays can quickly lead to a £200 penalty and added
Paying tax arrears using HMRC payment plans
If you are unable to pay your tax bill, it's important to reach out to HMRC as soon as possible. HMRC may offer a Time to Pay arrangement, allowing you to settle the debt in manageable instalments
Set up your tax app with HMRC
The free HMRC tax app now provides quick access to tax codes, income history, self-assessment details, National Insurance records and even payment options, all from your phone. HMRC’s free tax app is
Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC
HMRC offers a helpful online tool that allows agents and taxpayers to check when they can expect a response to a query or request that they have made. The online tool is updated weekly with the latest
HMRC contacting sole traders
HMRC is currently contacting certain sole traders by email to reiterate the importance of adjusting business expenses for personal use.The email explains:why personal use must be adjusted on your
Enforcement of the minimum wage
The Department for Business & Trade has recently published a report that outlines the government's enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) for the 2024–25











