Author: Glenn

The Online Accounts and Company Tax Return (CATO) service is scheduled to close on 31 March 2026. ​

This service has enabled businesses to file their company accounts and tax returns simultaneously with both Companies House and HMRC. However, due to its outdated nature and misalignment with modern digital standards and recent changes in UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT Act), the decision has been made to discontinue it.​

Key Actions for Businesses:

• Download Past Filings: It's advisable to download and save at least three years of your company's account filings before 31 March 2026, as access to previous submissions will not be available after this date.​
• Explore Software Options: Begin researching and selecting suitable commercial accounting software that meets the filing requirements for both Companies House and HMRC. Transitioning to software-based filing can offer enhanced features, improved accuracy, and better integration with your financial records.​

This shift aligns with the broader Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, aiming to streamline tax compliance through digital tools. While adapting to new software may present challenges, the benefits include increased efficiency and reduced errors in tax filings.​

For detailed guidance and updates, visit the official GOV.UK website.​

By proactively preparing for this transition, businesses can ensure continued compliance and take advantage of the efficiencies offered by modern digital filing systems.

1 April 2025 – Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 June 2024.

19 April 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 April 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 April 2025).

19 April 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 April 2025.

19 April 2025 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 April 2025 is payable by today.

30 April 2025 – 2023-24 tax returns filed after this date will be subject to an additional £10 per day late filing penalty for a maximum of 90 days.

1 May 2025 – Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 July 2024.

19 May 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 May 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 May 2025).

19 May 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 May 2025.

19 May 2025 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 May 2025 is payable by today.

31 May 2025 – Ensure all employees have been given their P60s for the 2024/25 tax year.

A salary sacrifice scheme lets employees swap cash salary for non-cash benefits, saving tax and National Insurance. But earnings must not fall below the National Minimum Wage, and life events may impact eligibility. Learn how to navigate these rules.

If an employee wants to join or leave a salary sacrifice arrangement, the employer must update their contract to clearly reflect the changes in cash and non-cash entitlements. Additionally, significant life events—such as marriage, divorce, a partner's redundancy, or pregnancy—may require adjustments to the arrangement, providing employees the option to opt in or out.

Certain benefits are currently exempt from Income Tax or National Insurance contributions and do not need to be reported to HMRC. These include:

• Contributions to pension schemes
• Employer-provided pension advice
• Workplace nurseries
• Childcare vouchers and employer-provided childcare contracted before 4 October 2018
• Bicycles and cycling safety equipment (including cycle to work schemes)

In some cases, for example, when a salary is exchanged for an employer contribution to a pension scheme, the reduction in salary may also reduce the employer's National Insurance contributions liability.

Using business goods instead of selling them is usually VAT-free, but some cases require VAT payments. These "taxable self-supplies" include cars taken from stock and certain buildings. Read on to see how to stay compliant.

If your business makes products or buys and sells them, you might end up using some goods in your own business instead of selling them.

Usually, you do not have to pay VAT on goods used this way, because you are not actually making a VAT taxable supply. However, there are some exceptions. These exceptions are called “taxable self-supplies.” You will need to keep track of these goods you use in your business for VAT purposes.

Self-Supply of Cars

If you are a motor manufacturer or dealer and take a car from your stock for your own use, that is a taxable self-supply. In this case, you will need to pay VAT on the car.

Other Taxable Self-Supplies

There are some other situations where goods you use in your business are treated as taxable self-supplies. These include:

• Certain non-domestic buildings you build or extend using your own labour.
• Cars on which you reclaimed VAT because they were meant for use as a taxi, hire car, or driving school car, but you actually used them for a non-qualifying purpose.

Selling Goods Bought for Your Business

If you buy something for the business but later sell it to a customer (even if it’s to one of your employees), you will need to charge VAT on the sale price.

If your spouse or civil partner has passed away, you may inherit part of their State Pension, depending on when you reached pension age. Find out what you could claim, from basic pension boosts to deferred benefits and top-ups.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you might be able to inherit some of your spouse or civil partner’s State Pension when they pass away.

To find out what you are entitled to, contact the Pension Service.

If you are not already receiving the full State Pension of £169.50 a week (increasing to £176.45 from 6 April 2025), you may be able to boost your basic State Pension by using their qualifying years.

You might also be able to inherit part of their Additional State Pension or Graduated Retirement Benefit.

If You Reached State Pension Age After 6 April 2016

If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, different rules apply to you. You can check what you could inherit based on your spouse’s or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions.

If Your Spouse or Civil Partner Deferred Their State Pension

If your spouse or civil partner deferred their State Pension and built up extra benefits, you could claim this additional amount or receive a lump sum—provided you have not remarried or entered into a new civil partnership.

If they deferred for less than 12 months, you could only receive the extra State Pension, not a lump sum.

You can only claim this extra amount once you have reached your State Pension age.

State Pension Top-Up

If your spouse or civil partner topped up their State Pension between 12 October 2015 and 5 April 2017, you might be able to inherit some or all of the top-up.