A New Prime Minister?

What It Could Mean for UK Businesses by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – Friendly Assist Accountancy The resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer has naturally created uncertainty across the business community. Small business owners, contractors, landlords, charities and company directors are all asking the same question: What happens next? For now, the most important thing …

Is It Time to Review Your Accounting Arrangements?

by Steffen Kemmerzehl – The Accounting Hub A lot of business owners stick with the same accountant for years without really thinking about it. Others manage everything themselves because that’s what they’ve always done. Neither is automatically wrong. But things change over time, and it’s worth occasionally asking a simple question: Is this still working …

Small Companies Must File Profit & Loss Accounts: What You Need to Know

by Steffen Kemmerzehl – The Accounting Hub The government has now confirmed that significant Companies House accounts filing reforms will take effect from 1 April 2028, following the implementation of measures contained within the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act 2023. While many business owners were expecting these changes to arrive in 2027, the …

Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Explained: What Contractors and Subcontractors Need to Know

by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – The Accounting Hub Many UK contractors and subcontractors working in construction are already within the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), but still aren’t fully clear on how it actually works in day-to-day practice. A small building company paying subcontracted electricians. A self-employed plasterer working across multiple sites. A scaffolder moving …

IR35 Explained for UK Contractors

by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – Friendly Assist Accountancy Inside or Outside IR35? Many UK contractors operate through a limited company without fully understanding how IR35 works or why it matters. A software developer working remotely for a large pharmaceutical company. An engineering contractor on a long term project. An IT consultant billing through their …

International Tax Rules Are Changing. What UK Businesses Need to Know

by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – see The Accounting Hub Many UK businesses now have international connections without thinking of themselves as “international businesses”. A freelancer in Newcastle working remotely for a company in Germany. A self employed designer invoicing clients in Dubai. An Amazon seller shipping products across Europe. A landlord living abroad while …

What Recent UK Policy Changes Could Mean for Expats, International Clients and Small Businesses

by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – see The Accounting Hub Over the past few years, the UK tax and business landscape has become increasingly complex for internationally connected individuals and small business owners. Changes around immigration, overseas income, compliance and business regulation are already affecting many people, even before some proposed policies officially become law. …

Winter Fuel Payment scams are rising what you need to know

by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – see The Accounting Hub If you or someone close to you receives a Winter Fuel Payment, it is worth staying alert. Recently, HM Revenue & Customs warned that scammers are increasingly targeting pensioners with fake messages about repaying Winter Fuel Payments. You can read the official HMRC guidance here. …

Tax Changes Pensioners Should Know About (And How to Stay in Control)

by Steffen Kemmerzehl, MAAT, AATQB – see The Accounting Hub Retirement should be about peace of mind. Unfortunately, many pensioners tell us they feel confused or stressed when they hear about tax changes in the news. Frozen tax allowances, changes to savings rules, digital reporting requirements – it can all sound complicated. The good news …

New 40% First-Year Allowance: What UK Businesses Need to Know in 2026

Running a business is challenging, and paying less tax legally is always welcome news. From 1 January 2026, unincorporated businesses like sole traders and partnerships can benefit from a new 40% First-Year Allowance (FYA) on qualifying plant and machinery that aren’t fully covered by other allowances. At Friendly Assist Accountancy, we help businesses make the …