Newsroom
What we’re seeing across our clients.
Commentary, briefings and case studies from the Mercian team — what’s hitting our inbox, what HMRC is asking, and what owners are doing about it.
October 2023 Tax Newsletter
Welcome to our October Tax Newsletter. We hope that you find this informative. Please contact us if you wish to discuss any matters in more detail. It Is Important To Have Up-To-Date Profit Forecasts For Tax In order for us to help predict your taxable profits and tax liabilities, we need up-to-date profit figures and projections. One…
Read MoreClient and Supplier Entertainment – Is It Tax Deductible?
Entertaining clients and suppliers is an important part of many companies’ marketing budgets, in order to maintain and grow business relationships. However, the tax rules on business entertainment are frequently misunderstood. In most cases, these expenses, along with business gifts, are not tax deductible, so you must add them back to Corporation Tax computations –…
Read MoreStaff Entertainment – Tax Exempt or Benefit-in-Kind?
Do you provide occasional entertainment to your employees? There’s a common misconception that staff entertainment is automatically exempt from tax – and with a lack of clear guidance from HMRC, many businesses are under-reporting it for benefit-in-kind (BiK) purposes. In this article, we’ll help you understand when entertainment is and isn’t taxable, so you can…
Read MorePool Cars – Benefits and Tax Traps
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 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 MoreIs Your Accountant Retiring? What You Need to Do
Has your accountant let you know that they’re retiring? Not sure of your next steps? There are several factors influencing accountants to retire early – and it’s not just because they’ve reached a certain age. The impact of the Covid pandemic and changes in the profession has led many to reconsider their role, which means…
Read MoreSDLT and Divorce: Property Transfer and the 3% Surcharge
Are you transferring property through a divorce or separation? Dealing with Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) can be complex, and it’s crucial to understand how to minimise costs. Transfers between two former partners may qualify for stamp duty relief and exceptions from the 3% additional rates, especially when timing the purchase of a replacement home.…
Read MoreCapital Gains Tax (CGT) Rule Changes for Divorcing Couples
When couples go through a divorce or separation, transferring the matrimonial home and other properties between them can result in a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) liability. However, new rules announced in the Government’s Spring Budget extend the period during which CGT relief can be claimed on asset transfers. Effective from 6th April 2023, these new…
Read MoreElectronic Sales Suppression: HMRC Voluntary Disclosure
HMRC is sending letters to businesses that may not have paid the correct income tax, corporation tax, or VAT due to misuse of their till systems. The letters are intended to provide an opportunity for businesses using electronic sales suppression (ESS) to get their tax affairs in order by voluntarily disclosing undeclared sales to HMRC.…
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