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Free childcare for company owners?
Business Tax, Personal TaxYou’re an owner manager and your daughter is due to start nursery. You understand that working parents can get free childcare but a friend said this isn’t available if you only pay yourself dividends. Is this true and what can you do to qualify?
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Salary v dividends in 2026/27
Business Tax, Personal TaxDividend tax rates have increased by 2% for 2026/27. Add that on to the other recent tax hikes and it starts to look very expensive to run a company. Is the combination of a low salary topped up with dividends still tax efficient?
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Could HMRC recategorise your subcontractors?
Business Tax, Business lawYou use subcontractors for all your building projects and almost always the same individuals. You’ve heard that this could increase the risk of HMRC recategorising them as employees. What steps can you take to counter this?
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First year discount: can you make a belated claim?
VATYour business has used the flat rate scheme since you registered for VAT three years ago. A colleague says that you should have reduced your relevant percentage by 1% in the first year. Is this correct and is it too late to claim the discount?
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Can you beat the bonus tax trap?
Personal Tax, Business lawA fellow director has asked whether his bonus payment can be delayed until after 5 April 2026 to reduce his personal tax bill. Does his plan work and, if so, how does it impact the company’s tax position?
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Clear loan accounts before tax hike
Business Tax, Personal TaxThe end of the tax year means one thing - finalising your profit extraction plan. Your director’s loan account is overdrawn but you know you have several months to pay it off. Can you save money by paying it now?