Author: Glenn

New UK transfer pricing rules could mean more reporting and fewer exemptions for mid-sized businesses. The government is consulting on proposals to tighten compliance and align with global standards. One key change would remove the transfer pricing exemption for medium-sized enterprises, keeping it only for small businesses. Another would introduce a new reporting requirement, the International Controlled Transactions Schedule (ICTS), to give HMRC more visibility over cross-border related-party transactions. These reforms aim to curb profit shifting, protect the UK tax base and simplify the rules for those who follow them.

Transfer pricing refers to how prices are set for transactions between companies that are part of the same group, especially when these transactions cross international borders. These prices must follow the “arm’s length principle,” meaning they should reflect what unrelated companies would charge under similar circumstances. This helps ensure that profits are taxed fairly where economic activity actually takes place.

The UK government is seeking feedback on two proposed changes to its transfer pricing rules. These proposals aim to protect the UK’s tax base from multinational enterprises (MNEs) shifting profits overseas, and to bring the UK in line with global best practices.

The first proposal suggests changing the current exemption from transfer pricing rules for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). In particular, it proposes removing the exemption for medium-sized enterprises but keeping it for small ones. The government also wants to update definitions and thresholds to make the rules clearer and easier to follow.

The second proposal would introduce a new reporting requirement called the International Controlled Transactions Schedule (ICTS). This would require MNEs to report cross-border related-party transactions to HMRC. The information would help HMRC better assess risk, reduce audit times, and support fairer, more efficient tax compliance whilst at the same time limiting extra burdens on businesses.

Need to help a relative or friend with tax? HMRC’s Trusted Helper service makes it quick and easy to support someone online. Whether it is checking Income Tax, updating their personal details or reviewing taxable benefits like company cars or medical insurance, you can do it all with their permission. After registering as a trusted helper, your friend or family member simply needs to approve your access. You can help up to five people, but remember, they remain responsible for their own tax affairs.

This online option allows you to support someone, such as a friend or relative with key tax tasks, such as checking their Income Tax, updating their personal tax account or reviewing their taxable benefits (limited to company cars and medical insurance).

To get started, you must register online as a trusted helper. Once you have signed up, the person you are helping will need to log in and approve your request. If they cannot go online, you can call HMRC on their behalf, but they must be physically present with you during the call. HMRC will confirm their identity and their consent before proceeding. You will also need their National Insurance or tax reference number.

You can help up to five people using this service. While you can assist with their tax matters the person you are helping remains legally responsible for their own tax affairs. You must sign in using your Government Gateway details, and you may be asked to verify your identity using photo ID such as a passport or driving licence.

HMRC also offers this service in Welsh and provides additional support for those with disabilities or non-English speakers.

Overseas property owners must now report earlier ownership changes or risk penalties from 31 July 2025. Under new rules introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, entities that registered on the UK’s Register of Overseas Entities must disclose any changes in beneficial ownership that occurred during their pre-registration period. This adds to the annual update requirements already in place and supports HMRC’s efforts to combat offshore tax non-compliance. Missing a deadline or failing to register can result in fines, and can make it impossible to sell or mortgage the property.

The Register of Overseas Entities came into force in the UK on 1 August 2022. The register is held by Companies House and requires overseas entities that own land or property in the UK to declare their beneficial owners and / or managing officers.

From 31 July 2025, overseas entities must report any beneficial ownership changes that occurred during the pre-registration period when filing an updated statement with Companies House. This is a new measure that was introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

The pre-registration period is different for every overseas entity. It’s between 28 February 2022 and either:

• the end of the transition period (31 January 2023); and
• the entity’s registration date, if it registered before 31 January 2023.

There is an annual filing requirement for the register of overseas entities. This means that registered entities must file an overseas entity update statement one year after the overseas entity was registered, and every year after that. This is required in order to inform Companies House of any changes, or to confirm that the information they hold is still correct.

Information on the register is available to HMRC and is used to help identify offshore tax non-compliance of:

• overseas legal entities
• overseas legal arrangements
• beneficial owners (including settlors, beneficiaries etc).

There are financial penalties for entities that have failed to comply with the rules. As well as financial penalties, overseas entities which fail to register will find it difficult to sell, lease or raise charges over their land.  

Starting your own business can be an exciting and liberating decision. But passion and ambition alone are rarely enough. One of the most overlooked factors in business failure is a lack of direct experience or knowledge in the chosen industry. Put simply, someone who has spent their working life as a plumber is unlikely to make a success of running a restaurant without serious planning, training or help.

Every industry has its own rhythm, customer expectations, regulations and operational quirks. When you know the business from the inside out, you already understand what a typical day looks like, where the risks lie, what customers value most and which details really matter. That type of knowledge can be priceless when problems arise, and it often helps keep costs under control too.

Trying to run a business in a sector you are unfamiliar with often means learning everything at once: pricing, supply chains, compliance and customer service, all while managing staff and watching the cashflow. That is a tough ask for anyone, especially when you have your own money on the line. You may find yourself relying too heavily on advisers or hiring experienced staff who quickly realise they know more about the business than the owner.

Of course, there are exceptions. People sometimes succeed in completely new industries, especially if they partner with someone who brings the missing expertise. But the risks are higher, and the margin for error is smaller. Without lived experience in the sector, even simple decisions can go wrong — choosing the wrong location, targeting the wrong customers or misunderstanding seasonal demand patterns.

If you are thinking about starting a business in an unfamiliar sector, consider ways to build your knowledge first. This might include shadowing someone in the trade, taking relevant training courses or working part-time in the industry. Alternatively, collaborate with a business partner who knows the ropes and shares your goals.

Ultimately, your chances of success rise sharply when you understand both the day-to-day realities and long-term dynamics of the business into which you are getting. Passion is a great driver but pairing it with experience makes it far more likely that your new venture will thrive.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not just numbers on a dashboard; they are tools to help business owners make better decisions. But with so many metrics available, how do you know which ones matter most for your business?

The answer is simple: start with your goal. KPIs should always support what you are trying to achieve, whether that is growth, efficiency, stability or profitability.

If your goal is overall financial health, net profit margin is a great place to begin. It tells you what percentage of each pound earned is actually kept after all costs. It cuts through the noise and helps business owners see whether they are making money in a sustainable way.

Focusing on cash flow? Track operating cash flow or free cash flow. Profit does not always equal cash in the bank, and many profitable businesses have come unstuck by running out of working capital. Cash flow KPIs show whether your business model is viable on a day-to-day basis.

Want to improve marketing results? Look at customer acquisition cost and customer lifetime value. These two KPIs help you measure whether your marketing spend is delivering a return and how valuable your average client really is.

If your focus is customer loyalty, then client retention rate is key. High retention usually points to satisfied clients, a strong service offering, and predictable revenue. Low retention can indicate pricing issues, poor communication or service problems.

Looking to grow your team or expand services? Keep an eye on revenue per employee or gross profit per fee earner. These metrics highlight how productive your people are, and whether adding more staff will drive profit or just increase overheads.

There is no universal KPI that works for everyone. The best approach is to pick a small set of KPIs (three to five), review them regularly, and use them to shape decisions.

KPIs turn a report into a roadmap, which provides informed and actionable to-do’s.