Latest Blogs

Many self-employed people assume that filing a Self Assessment tax return is all that is needed to keep their tax and National Insurance affairs in order.   However, HMRC has recently identified an issue that may have left around 800,000 self-employed taxpayers with gaps in their National Insurance record, potentially affecting their State Pension entitlement.…

This is a question we often get asked by clients. HMRC expect all taxpayers to pay their taxes on time and robustly ’police’ this system if this does not happen, but are often accused of double standards when the tax is moving in the opposite direction.   There is an online facility to check with…

On 16th July the Environment Secretary announced a new Government Scheme for Farmers – the Farmer Collaboration Fund. When does the Farmer Collaboration Fund Open for Applications? The new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund opens for applications on 1st September 2026. Its aim is to help farmers work together to cut ever rising costs, while…

Our Bury office took part in the annual rounders tournament, in support of the Lovewell Blake Community Fund. Our team was made up of Sarah Lockhart-White, Rob Dedman, Robert Smith, Shamus Chaplin, Harry Warner and Dom Freeman.   We were slightly short on players, but not on spirit! We were kindly given some additional players…

The HMRC “Nudge Unit” uses the HMRC AI based Connect computer system to target taxpayers for incorrect compliance in a specific area. The HMRC Connect system uses this data to generate a list of targeted recipient taxpayers to receive these nudge letter mailshots. The content of these letters places the onus on the taxpayer, not…

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Opens for Expressions of Interest Defra and the Rural Payments Agency have launched a new process allowing farmers and land managers in England to express an interest in selected Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) opportunities. The scheme aims to support environmental improvements, woodland management, agroforestry, and the protection of historic features…

Earlier this month, Whitings LLP colleagues Stephen Malkin, Peter Brown, Dan Walker, Ben Burtenshaw and Emma Barkes attended Xerocon London 2026. The two-day event, tipped as “Glastonbury for accountants” was packed with innovation and inspiration.   Xerocon offered much more than just software demonstrations. This year’s speaker line-up included Jill Scott MBE, Louis Theroux and…

The Ministry of Justice has announced an increase to Probate Fees.  This came into effect on 13 July.   To apply for a Grant of Probate for any estate with a value of more than £5,000 now costs £526 (rather than £300 which it had been since May 2024), an increase of 75%   The…

From the 2025/26 tax year, HMRC has introduced significant changes to how dividends from close companies are reported on Self-Assessment tax returns. These reforms are aimed at increasing transparency around owner-managed businesses and ensuring more accurate reporting of income.   What is a Close Company? A close company is broadly defined as a company controlled…

On Tuesday 7th July, colleagues from our Bury St Edmunds office came together for a sports evening and BBQ at the British Sugar Sports and Recreational Ground.   We were fortunate to have excellent weather for the event, which saw four teams of four compete across a range of activities. Each participant took part in…