May 2026 Newsletter

Blooming apple tree branch with white gentle flowers at sunny spring day

As we move deeper into the 2026/27 tax year, May is often the month when April’s changes stop feeling theoretical and start becoming practical. The rush of year-end processing may have eased, but employers are now focused on issuing P60s, checking that payroll has rolled over correctly and getting ahead of benefits reporting before summer…

Read More

April 2026 Newsletter

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) perched amongst beautiful pink springtime blossom - Yorkshire, UK in April, Spring

As the 2026/27 tax year begins, April is one of the busiest and most important months in the tax calendar. This year, the timing feels even more pronounced because Easter falls right at the start of the new tax year, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April in England and…

Read More

March 2026 Newsletter

Vibrant yellow crocus flowers blooming

As we approach the end of the 2025/26 tax year and prepare for the start of 2026/27 on 6 April, March is a critical planning month for business owners, landlords and individuals. Alongside the Spring statement delivered on 3 March, several structural changes to tax administration and employment costs are coming into effect. Digital reporting,…

Read More

November 2025 Newsletter

Field of blooming red poppies. Beautiful fields of red poppy.

We’re pleased to share the November 2025 edition of the Mercian Accountants Newsletter. With the Autumn Budget set for 26 November, attention is turning to how the Chancellor will balance the public finances while maintaining her pledge not to raise Income Tax, VAT, or National Insurance. As we mark Remembrance Sunday, we also take a…

Read More

October 2025 Newsletter

Autumn pumpkins on straw in sunlight.

Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Mercian Accountants Newsletter. With the Autumn Budget 2025 confirmed for 26 November, attention is fixed on how the Chancellor might tackle the public finance deficit and what that could mean for taxpayers and businesses. Before then, measures from the Autumn Budget 2024 are expected to come into…

Read More

Four Taxes on Pension Death Benefits

Young woman helping old man on phone

Do you know what will happen to your pension pot when you pass away? Understanding the tax rules as a pension holder is crucial for your beneficiaries (those who will inherit). There are four different types of taxes that can apply to pension death benefits: If you’re looking for help with your pension and later-life…

Read More

Pool Cars – Benefits and Tax Traps

Pool car

Are you a business considering the use of pool cars for your employees? Pool cars can provide numerous benefits, such as cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved flexibility. However, it’s essential to understand the tax implications associated with pool cars to ensure compliance and make informed financial decisions. In this post, we’ll explore the key…

Read More

New Increase to Statutory Legacy on Intestacy

Pen on written letter

From July 26th (2023), the government has confirmed an increase to the Statutory Legacy on intestacy, from £270,000 to £322,000 (fixed net sum). When someone who has children passes away without a Will (otherwise known as “intestate”), this is the value of personal possessions that the surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to first,…

Read More

Save Inheritance Tax with Business Property Relief (BPR)

People at desk with laptops

Have you considered Business Property Relief (BPR) in your Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning? BPR allows you to claim IHT relief of either 50% or 100% on the value of your business or its assets, including qualifying shares. These can be passed on either while you’re alive, or as part of your Will. In this article,…

Read More