The Accounting Space
blog & insights.
Practical tax, accounting and small-business guidance from our qualified UK accountants.
Salary vs dividends in 2026/27: how company directors should split their pay after the rate rise
Dividend tax rates rose on 6 April 2026, so the salary-versus-dividends decision is worth another look. Here is how the two are taxed and how director-shareholders can strike the right balance this year.
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VAT registration explained: when you must register and whether the Flat Rate Scheme is worth it
Cross £90,000 in turnover and VAT registration becomes a legal must. Heres how the thresholds work and whether HMRCs Flat Rate Scheme is still worth joining.
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Sole trader or limited company? How to choose the right structure in 2026
Weighing up whether to stay a sole trader or set up a limited company? Here is a plain-English look at the tax, liability and admin differences — and why Making Tax Digital makes 2026 a good time to review.
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New to self-employment? Register for Self Assessment by 5 October 2026
Started working for yourself in the last year? You must tell HMRC by 5 October 2026 to file a Self Assessment return for 2025/26. Here is who needs to register, how it works, and every deadline that follows.
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Your second payment on account is due 31 July 2026 — what to pay and how to reduce it
A Self Assessment payment on account is due by midnight on 31 July 2026. Here is who has to pay, how the figure is worked out, and when you can claim to reduce it.
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Your first MTD quarterly update is due 7 August 2026 — here's what to do
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is live, and if your qualifying income topped £50,000 your first quarterly update is due by 7 August 2026. Here's who's affected, the deadlines to diary, and how to stay penalty-free.
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