Governments
July 2026 Newsletter
July arrives against a backdrop of significant political change. Keir Starmer’s resignation on 22 June has raised questions about the direction of tax policy ahead of an Autumn Budget, and clients with disposals or transactions under consideration should read the planning section below before acting. Alongside the politics, July brings two back-to-back payment deadlines, the…
Read MoreCompanies House Filing Changes: What You Need to Know Before April 2028
What’s Happening? If you run a UK limited company, you will have recently received an official email from Companies House outlining significant changes to how businesses must file their annual accounts. These changes stem from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act 2023, and while they were originally due to come into force in…
Read MoreMarch 2026 Newsletter
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 MoreWhat the Budget Could Mean for Your Money: Six Big Tax and Finance Changes to Watch
Income tax, pensions, property, ISAs and more – here’s what to expect from the Budget and how you can prepare. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set the stage for significant tax and spending changes in her autumn Budget on 26 November 2025. Millions of homeowners, savers, and pensioners could be affected. With two weeks to go…
Read MoreNovember 2025 Newsletter
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 MoreOctober 2025 Newsletter
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 MoreAngela Rayner’s £40,000 SDLT Error – and How You Can Avoid It
The recent headlines about Angela Rayner’s property purchase may have caught your attention. While the political story has dominated coverage, the more important takeaway for most people is that Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is rarely straightforward. Where trusts or complex family arrangements are involved, the rules can be particularly difficult to navigate. What appears…
Read MoreNew Increase to Statutory Legacy on Intestacy
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 MoreThe Renters (Reform) Bill – How Will it Affect Landlords?
Introduced to Parliament on 17th May 2023, the Renters (Reform) Bill proposes a new set of measures for the private rental property market – from abolishing Section 21 evictions to ending fixed-term tenancies. Though the bill hasn’t yet become law, it’s essential for landlords to identify what elements may be of concern so that they…
Read MoreInheritance Tax (IHT) Receipts by HMRC Up 18% Since 2022
HMRC has released data that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts have increased by 18% in January 2023, compared to the financial year prior – currently, receipts are at £5.9 billion, which is £900 million higher than last year. This increase has been driven by HMRC targeting high-value estates, the increase in house prices from 2020-2022, and…
Read More