Opus Insights
Insights
Tax, compliance and business commentary, updated as the rules change.
Showing 97–120 of 120 articles
Tax Diary August/September 2026
1 August 2026 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 October 2025.…
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Company filing penalties you should avoid
Most company directors are aware that they must file annual accounts and a confirmation statement with Companies House. However, missing these deadlines can lead to unnecessary costs and, in some case…
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When did you last check your credit rating?
Many business owners regularly monitor their bank balance, sales and cash flow, but overlook another important financial indicator, their credit rating. Whether you are applying for finance, negotiati…
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Meaning of Permanent Establishment
The term permanent establishment (PE) is an important tax concept for businesses that operate across international borders. In simple terms, it determines whether a business has created a sufficient p…
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Don’t forget to pay your Class 1A NICs
Employers are reminded that Class 1A National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the 2025-26 tax year must be paid by 19 July 2026 (or 22 July 2026 if paying electronically) to avoid penalties. These…
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Construction Industry Scheme responsibilities
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is used within the UK construction sector to help manage payments between contractors and subcontractors effectively. This scheme mandates that contractors deduc…
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Meaning of Carried Interest
Carried interest is essentially a share of the profits from an investment fund that is paid to the fund managers. Unlike a fixed fee, its value depends directly on the fund's performance. This type of…
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Avoid 60% Income Tax band
A ‘60% Income Tax band’ can arises when an individual’s income exceeds £100,000 in a tax year. Once this threshold is crossed, the personal allowance is gradually withdrawn at a rate of £1 for every £…
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Child Benefit and the High Income Child Benefit Charge
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) applies where an individual or their partner receives Child Benefit, and their adjusted net income currently exceeds £60,000. The charge may also apply whe…
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Five ways to improve customer retention
Winning new customers is important, but many businesses overlook the value of keeping the customers they already have. Existing customers are often more likely to buy again, recommend your business to…
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Are you too dependent on one customer?
Many successful businesses begin by working closely with one major customer. While this can provide valuable income and stability in the early years, becoming too dependent on a single customer can cr…
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Investment Manager Exemption (IME)
The Investment Manager Exemption (IME) is a long-standing HMRC concession that helps attract international investment in the UK. It allows overseas investors to appoint UK-based investment managers wi…
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Tax relief on professional subscriptions
Employees may be entitled to tax relief on certain professional fees and subscriptions that they pay personally. The relief is available where membership of a professional body is required for an indi…
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Understanding dividend tax
Understanding dividend tax is important for anyone who receives income from shares in a company. Dividends are taxed differently from salary, pensions and other forms of income, with their own allowan…
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Company mobile phones and tax implications
When employers provide mobile phones to employees, it is important to understand the tax treatment that applies to both the device and any related costs. The rules also differ where employers reimburs…
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Tax treatment of loans to employees
Employees may receive a taxable benefit where an employer provides a loan that is interest-free or charged at a rate below HMRC’s official interest rate (currently 3.75%). The benefit arises from the…
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Employee travel expenses
There is no requirement to report certain travel and subsistence expenses where an exemption applies. The travel and subsistence benefits that do not need to be reported include reimbursed costs to em…
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The benefits of Fair Payment Code accreditation
Getting paid on time remains one of the biggest challenges facing many small and medium-sized businesses. Late payments can place pressure on cash flow, increase borrowing requirements and divert valu…
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Companies House steps up enforcement activity
Companies House is entering a new era of enforcement as it begins making greater use of the powers granted under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The aim is to improve the accuracy o…
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Salaried members of LLPs
Members of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) are normally treated as self-employed for tax purposes. However, special rules can apply where a member's terms of membership are more akin to the term…
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Understanding your tax code
Your tax code tells your employer or pension provider how much Income Tax to deduct from your pay. It is set by HMRC, and you may have a different code for each job or pension.…
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Claiming tax relief on charitable donations
When you donate money to a charity or Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) under Gift Aid, the organisation can claim an extra 25p from HMRC for every £1 you give. This increases the value of your don…
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Tax-free benefits in kind from your employer
The range of benefits that can be provided tax-free by an employer is relatively limited, but there are several common exemptions that apply where certain conditions are met.…
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Understanding your National Insurance record
Your National Insurance record can be checked online to see what contributions and credits you have built up and whether you have any gaps that may affect your State Pension.…
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