Blog
Welcome to the accountancy blog from ZincBooks
We love to share the latest news, views and advice with our clients and the weekly blog gives us the ideal opportunity to do this.
Feel free to get in touch with us if you wish to discuss any of the blog topics in more detail.
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Early termination of probation can constitute wrongful dismissal
The claimant began employment as a Contracts Coordinator on 23 January 2023, subject to a contractual 6-month probationary period, one which required 5 weeks’ notice for termination. The contract included a garden leave
Increase in the London congestion charge from January 2026
The daily charge for driving within the London Congestion Charge zone will rise from £15 to £18 from 2 January 2026. This is the first increase in several years and forms part of Transport for London’s wider plan to
Preparing for tighter credit conditions in 2026
Many small businesses rely on a mix of overdrafts, card facilities and short term loans to maintain day to day cash flow. During the past year banks and alternative lenders have become more cautious, and several
Set up your tax app with HMRC
The free HMRC tax app now provides quick access to tax codes, income history, self-assessment details, National Insurance records and even payment options, all from your phone.
HMRC’s free tax app is available to
Enforcement of the minimum wage
The Department for Business & Trade has recently published a report that outlines the government’s enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) for the 2024–25 financial year.The
Paying tax arrears using HMRC payment plans
If you are unable to pay your tax bill, it’s important to reach out to HMRC as soon as possible.
HMRC may offer a Time to Pay arrangement, allowing you to settle the debt in manageable instalments based on your
Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC
HMRC offers a helpful online tool that allows agents and taxpayers to check when they can expect a response to a query or request that they have made. The online tool is updated weekly with the latest information.The
HMRC contacting sole traders
HMRC is currently contacting certain sole traders by email to reiterate the importance of adjusting business expenses for personal use.The email explains:why personal use must be adjusted on your self-assessment tax
Penalty points for late filing of VAT returns
Many businesses are still unaware that the VAT late filing and late payment rules now operate on a points-based system, where repeated delays can quickly lead to a £200 penalty and added interest.
The VAT late filing
How many businesses are there in the UK?
Current estimates suggest that there are around 5.6 million businesses operating in the UK. This figure comes from the Department for Business and Trade and the Office for National Statistics. What stands out is that
Directors liability for company debts
A limited company is a separate legal entity. In normal circumstances, its debts belong to the company, not to the directors. This is one of the central advantages of incorporation. However, the protection is not
Tax Diary December 2025/January 2026
1 December 2025 – Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 28 February 2025.
19 December 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 December 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due
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