Hello everyone,

Firstly as the end of January is fast approaching just a few reminders below on tax returns and tax payments required in December and January.

With Christmas approaching, our opening hours over Christmas and New Year are set out below. The times shown are indicative over the holiday season, we will be checking emails between Christmas and New Year, so please continue to send in papers for tax returns etc and if you need to get in touch email and we will get back to you.

Finally we would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Best wishes
Simon

Personal Tax returns are due by 31 January 2026

For any clients who are still to send in their tax return details please send them in as soon as they are ready.

Corporation tax due 1 January 2026

For those companies with 31 March year-ends, corporation tax is payable by 1 January. You should have already received a payslip from HMRC, if not details of how to pay can be found: Here . If you do need to confirm payment amounts or references please do get in touch.

31 January tax payments – If you are due to make a tax payment, you should receive a reminder and details of how to pay from HMRC. Clients expecting to make a payment who have not received a reminder by 22 January should contact us to confirm their position. For details of how to pay click Here .

You should be aware that if you pay late then interest will be charged on late payments and if 2024/25 tax remains outstanding after 28 February there will be a late payment surcharge of 5% of tax outstanding. If you think you will be unable to pay on time, you should consider approaching HMRC to agree a time to pay arrangement. Once a time to pay agreement is in place you will not be charged late payment penalties, just interest. Details of how to set up a time to pay arrangement are here.

Christmas celebrations!

It is the time of the year for staff parties and other events, but is there a tax cost?  A social event can be exempt if:

• It is open to all employees;
• It is an annual event e.g. Christmas party or summer barbecue;
• Costs less than £150 per head including VAT

Note it is an exemption, not an allowance, so if you go over the £150 /head it is all taxable. The exemption is not available to the self-employed unless they have employees, though if you work through your own limited company, you are an employee, so the exemption is available.

Charitable donations

With Christmas fast approaching, if you are making charitable donations do not forget to tick for gift aid if you are a taxpayer to increase the value of your gift and if you are a higher rate or additional rate tax payer keep a record of your gift aid donations to claim on your tax return.

Christmas and New Year Opening

Please note our offices will close from 5.00pm on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, will be open 10am to 12pm on Monday 29^th, Tuesday 30^th & Wednesday 31^st December and Friday 2 January. We will re-open on Monday, 5^th January 2026

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year