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Tax Diary May/June 2026

1 May 2026 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 July 2025. 19 May 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 May 2026. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 May 2026). 19 May 2026 - Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 May 2026. 19 May 2026 - CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 May 2026 is payable by today. 31 May 2026 - Ensure all employees have been given their P60s for the 2025/26 tax year. 1 June 2026 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended...

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Increase in employment costs 2026-27

From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates have increased, and businesses should ensure payroll systems are updated immediately so that employees receive the correct statutory pay. These changes apply from the start of the 2026-27 tax year and form part of the Government’s ongoing policy of maintaining minimum earnings levels that reflect wider wage growth and living cost pressures. The key rates from 1 April 2026 are as follows: Age 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 per hour Age 18 to 20: £10.85 per...

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Reducing domestic energy costs

Energy costs remain a significant pressure on household budgets, and reducing consumption continues to be one of the most reliable ways to control expenditure. Fortunately, many practical steps can lower usage without reducing comfort. A structured approach often produces the best results, starting with quick wins and then considering longer term improvements. Heating is usually the largest component of domestic energy use, often accounting for more than half of total consumption. Ensuring that boilers are serviced regularly helps maintain...

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New support measures to allow affordable debt repayment

The government has announced new support measures to allow affordable debt repayment for government debt. The new measures set out a clearer and more practical approach to helping individuals and businesses manage what they owe. Announced during Debt Awareness Week 2026, the plans aim to ensure repayments are realistic, tailored and, crucially, affordable. The 2026-2030 Government Debt Management Strategy sets out plans for the better use of data and earlier engagement. The idea is to support a debt strategy to help people who fall behind on...

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Do you have a personal tax account yet?

Your Personal Tax Account (PTA) is an easy and secure way to manage your tax online. You can use it to check your tax code, claim a refund and update your details, all in one place, without needing to contact HMRC by phone or post. Every UK taxpayer has a PTA, but you will need to register through the Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login to start using it. You may also be asked to confirm your identity during the setup process. This is to keep your details safe and normally involves using photo ID such as a passport or driving...

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Living away from home?

Private Residence Relief (PRR) is a valuable Capital Gains Tax relief that can eliminate the tax due when you sell your home. In simple terms, it applies to periods when a property has been your only or main residence. However, if you spend time living away from home, the position becomes less clear, and CGT may well be due. The starting point is that you will usually get full relief for the time you actually lived in the property, plus some additional “deemed occupation” periods. Most notably, the final 9 months of ownership...

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Vaping products duty schemes

The new Vaping Products Duty (VPD) and Vaping Duty Stamps (VDS) are being introduced from 1 October 2026. In advance of the launch of the new schemes, HMRC opened applications for approval for manufacturers, importers and warehouse keepers on 1 April 2026. This means that businesses affected by these changes should act now. Early registration is essential to ensure approval is in place before the rules take effect, particularly as applications can take time to process and at least 45 working days if further information is needed. VPD will...

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MTD – when the quarterly returns to HMRC are due

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax began on 6 April 2026 for qualifying taxpayers. Those with qualifying income over £50,000 are now required to maintain digital records and submit updates of trading or property income and expenses using compatible software. Under MTD for Income Tax, quarterly updates are required every three months for each self-employment and property business. These quarterly updates are simply summaries of income and expenses based on digital records. You do not need to make any accounting or tax adjustments before...

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New rules for working from home from April 2026

The rules on claiming tax relief for working from home are changing for the new 2026-27 tax year. In most cases, employees will no longer be able to claim relief for homeworking, although claims can still be made for the previous four tax years. The removal of the tax relief was announced in the Autumn Budget last year and it is estimated that some 300,000 taxpayers will be affected by the change. Relief is only available if you have to work from home for your job, for example, if your role requires you to live far from the office or your...

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Preparing for a new employment landscape in 2026: "Day One" Entitlements

Paternity Leave As of Monday, 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 2025 will fundamentally transform the UK workplace by introducing several "Day One" entitlements. Now, paid paternity leave and unpaid parental leave are Day One Rights, granted immediately upon joining a firm. Fathers will also be permitted to take paternity leave, even after finishing a period of shared parental leave, a change that applies to all babies born or placed for adoption. Further, employers should take note of the recent introduction of Bereaved...

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