Author: Glenn

Where you live determines if you pay Scottish Income Tax. The rules are not based on where you work, who pays you, or national identity, but on your main UK home during the tax year.

The definition of a Scottish taxpayer is generally linked to the question of whether the taxpayer has a 'close connection' with Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. The liability to Income Tax at Scottish rates is not based on nationalist identity, location of work or the source of a person’s income e.g., receiving a salary from a Scottish business.

The Scottish rate of Income Tax (SRIT) is payable on the non-savings and non-dividend income of those defined as Scottish taxpayers. HMRC’s guidance states that for the vast majority of individuals, the question of whether or not they are a Scottish taxpayer will be a simple one – they will either live in Scotland and thus be a Scottish taxpayer or live elsewhere in the UK and not be a Scottish taxpayer. 

If a taxpayer moves to or from Scotland from elsewhere in the UK, then their tax liability for the tax year in question will be based on where they spent the most time in the relevant tax year. Scottish taxpayer status applies for a whole tax year. It is not possible to be a Scottish taxpayer for part of a tax year.

You may also need to pay Scottish Income Tax if you live in a home in Scotland and also have a home elsewhere in the UK. In this case, you need to identify which is your main home based on published guidance and the facts on the ground. You may also be liable to SRIT if you do not have a home and stay in Scotland regularly, for example you stay offshore or in hotels.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer something for big tech firms alone – it is becoming a practical tool for small businesses, especially when it comes to financial management and forecasting.

We can now harness AI tools to speed up data capture, analyse financial trends, and identify opportunities for growth or savings. This is not about replacing people with machines but about making better use of real-time insights to support your decisions.

Here are just a few ways AI is being used to improve the services we offer:

• Automated bookkeeping: AI can process bank feeds, receipts, and invoices more quickly and with fewer errors.
• Cash flow forecasting: Smart systems can identify seasonal trends or highlight risks before they affect your business.
• Performance dashboards: AI-powered platforms can create dynamic reports, giving you a visual summary of profits, margins, and costs.
• Client support: AI tools can help answer common queries faster and track action points across your business operations.

As accountants, we are increasingly integrating these technologies into our advisory work, giving clients deeper insights and more proactive support. The value we offer lies not just in compliance, but in helping you understand the bigger picture.

If you are wondering how AI might benefit your business, or how we are using these tools to improve the service you receive, please do get in touch. We are here to help you get the best from both technology and human expertise.

From 2025, Companies House is rolling out new identity verification requirements for directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and anyone forming or managing a UK company. These changes form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and are designed to reduce fraud and increase confidence in UK companies.

If you are involved in running a business, you may soon need to prove your identity either directly through Companies House or via a registered agent such as your accountant. Without completing verification, you will not be allowed to register a company or take up a new role as a director or PSC.

These rules apply to:

• Company directors (existing and new)
• Individuals with significant control (usually shareholders with 25% or more of shares or voting rights)
• Company formation agents
• Anyone filing information at Companies House on behalf of a business

The new system is already partially in place. Since April 2025, authorised agents can verify identities on behalf of their clients, but from a future date still to be announced, Companies House will require all key company officers to comply before filings will be accepted.

For business owners, this means a few practical actions:

• Ensure all directors and PSCs have current and valid photo ID.
• Decide whether you want to complete ID checks directly or use an authorised agent.
• Check that your company’s records at Companies House are up to date.

We expect enforcement and deadlines to follow later in the year, so it is wise to prepare in advance. If you are uncertain how these changes affect you, or how best to carry out the verification, we are happy to help.

Buying tools or clothing for your job? You could claim tax relief. Check if you qualify and how to get your money back. If you have spent your own money on items essential for your work, such as tools or specialist clothing, HMRC may allow you to claim tax relief, even up to four years after you paid. There are two ways to make a claim, and it might be simpler than you think.

You may be able to claim tax relief on:

• Cleaning, repairing, or replacing specialist clothing (e.g. uniforms, safety boots).
• Repairing or replacing small tools needed for your job (e.g. scissors, screwdrivers).

However, you cannot claim for the initial cost of purchasing uniforms, tools or specialist work clothing.

There are two options for making a claim:

1. Claim the actual amount
   • You’ll need to provide receipts or proof of purchase.
   • Submit your claim under ‘Other expenses’ online at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/claim-tax-relief-expenses/what-claiming-for.
2. Claim a Flat Rate expense / deduction
   • Use this if your job qualifies for a standard fixed amount.
   • There is no need to provide receipts.
   • Claim under ‘Uniform, work clothing and tools’ in the same online portal mentioned above.

If you complete a self-assessment return, you must claim through your tax return instead.

You cannot claim tax relief on PPE (e.g., gloves, hard hats, goggles). If your job requires PPE, your employer must provide it for free or reimburse you for any purchase.

This tax relief is designed to support employees with essential job-related costs and so it’s worth checking if you are eligible to claim.

Starting work this summer? Download the free HMRC app to get your NI number, check your tax code and stay on the right pay.

Young people finishing exams and entering the job market this summer are being urged by HMRC to download the HMRC app. The app is a free tool that can be used to provide quick access to essential employment and tax details. The app has already been downloaded by over 1.2 million people aged 25 and under. The app offers instant access to your National Insurance (NI) number, tax code, pay details and employment history.

This can be very useful information to have on-hand during the summer months when some 40,000 extra young workers are employed each month. Whether you're applying for work in hospitality, retail, leisure or seasonal roles like fruit picking, the app helps you stay job-ready with minimal hassle. Once employed, the app ensures you're on the correct tax code and receiving the right pay under the National Minimum Wage.

More than 146,000 people called HMRC last year after losing their NI number, but it is far quicker to retrieve it via the app where it can also be saved in your phone’s digital wallet. Nearly 90,000 users under 25 downloaded their NI number this way in the 12 months to April 2025.

The HMRC app is available to download, for free from the App Store for iOS and from the Google Play Store for Android. Once signed in, users can access it securely via face ID, fingerprint or a 6-digit PIN.

Young people are also reminded to check their payslips regularly to ensure they’re getting paid what they’re entitled to receive under National Minimum Wage requirements. Any underpayment concerns should be reported to HMRC or ACAS.