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.

Claiming Work from Home Expenses for the Self Employed

Are you a self-employed sole trader, or in partnership, and work from home? If so, you can claim work from home expenses through your Self-Assessment Tax Return. Continue reading to understand your available options, and how much you could claim. What Can the Self-Employed Claim? UK sole traders and partners have two options for claiming…

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Work from Home Expenses for Limited Company Directors

Working from home appeals to many, and the number of people doing so has grown significantly since the pandemic. As a company director, you need to decide if this works for you – read on to find out more about the expenses you can claim, as well as the tax implications. What Can My Limited…

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Emergency Mini-Budget 2022 – Key Highlights

This morning (Friday 23rd September), Chancellor Kwarteng unveiled his ambitious new “Growth Plan” to tackle inflation, support businesses, and help households. He’s aiming for a 2.5% trend of growth, and key highlights are: Corporation Tax remains at 19%, with the planned rise cancelled Basic rate Income Tax will be cut to 19% in April 2023…

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1 in 5 Landlords to Sell Buy-to-Let Property – Find Out How

Rising mortgages and falling property prices are set to push up to 20% of landlords into selling their buy-to-lets – especially smaller landlords with only one or two properties. The cost-of-living crisis is also making repairs and maintenance fees unaffordable, increasing insurance premiums, and casting doubt on whether tenants will be able to pay rent.…

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Have You Registered Your Trust with HMRC?

The 1st September 2022 deadline for Trust registration has been and gone – and only 61,700 of one million non-taxable UK trusts had registered in the first six months of 2022. Those who failed to register could face penalties of up to £5,000. These figures suggest that many trustees are still unaware of their obligations…

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Should I Register for Child Benefit as a High Earner?

Have you registered for Child Benefit? If you’re a high-earning parent or carer you may not see the point in claiming, due to the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). However, registering for Child Benefit has a hidden advantage, even if you pay the HICBC. If you’re looking after children at home, and aren’t paying National…

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Inheritance Tax Bills at Record High

Introduction Recent data from the Treasury has revealed that Inheritance Tax (IHT) bills are rising to record levels – with experts warning that more grieving families are being “dragged” into paying the levy. In 2021-22, HMRC received a massive £6.1 billion of IHT – the tax paid when a person passes away – which represents…

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Landlord Conference at Stone Manor Hotel 29th June 2022

A flyer for the Landlord Conference at Stone Manor Hotel.

  About this event All Landlords & Property Investors are invited to our first ‘Live’ Conference in over 3 years! Special Guest Speaker: Paul Shamplina, Founder of Landlord Action, Chief Commercial Officer Hamilton Fraser & presenter of Channel 5’s “Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords” popular TV programme. Paul will be providing a legal update and covering…

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Dividends and salaries for 2022/23

Office Holders and Minimum Wage Under HMRC’s rules, ‘office holders’ (ie. people who hold a position at a company but don’t have a contract, or receive regular salary payments) aren’t subject to the National Minimum Wage Regulations unless there‘s a contract of employment in place. A low salary can be paid which means you do…

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