To be eligible, you must be a business or public body and do less than half your work in the public sector. You can also be a charity or employ a care/support worker. Since April 2025, if your company pays more than £100,000 in Class 1 NI, you can claim. However, you cannot claim if your company only has one director, and they are the only employee liable for secondary Class 1 NI.

You make the claim through your payroll software by stating “yes” in the Employment Allowance indicator field on your Employment Payment Summary (EPS) submission. If successful, HMRC will reduce your Class 1 NI liability once you’ve run your payroll each month, until the £10,500 (or the amount you were eligible for) is used up or the tax year ends (whichever comes sooner).

The Chancellor made this announcement recently and the change has been backdated to 6 April 2026. This is the first increase since 2011 and applies to employees and self-employed workers using their own car or van for work. You cannot claim separately for fuel, tax, MOT, repairs, etc. – the mileage rate is meant to cover all running costs.

If your employer pays less than 55p, you can claim tax relief on the difference (for example, employer only pays 30p, so you claim tax relief on 25p). If your employer pays nothing, you can claim tax relief on the full 55p. Claims are made via HMRC or a self-assessment tax return.

This measure will only last over the summer holidays (25^th June until 1^st September) and is intended to give families “a bit of breathing room to enjoy moments that matter without the same level of financial strain”, according to the Prime Minister, Kier Starmer. It will cost the Government around £300m but is hoped to stimulate spending in the UK’s visitor attraction sector, giving a much-needed boost to the economy.

Formal enquiries are triggered when HMRC believes an IHT return may be incomplete or inaccurate. HMRC can demand documents, valuations, and explanations from families or accountants during these checks. However, only 40% of last year’s checks resulted in amendments, down from 45% the previous year. Still, IHT receipts hit a record £8.5bn last year.

Frozen IHT thresholds, combined with rising property values and inflation, mean more estates are being pulled into the tax net each year. This will increase further in 2027, when pensions are added to the value of estates.

Spurling Cannon is a forward-thinking firm of Chartered Certified Accountants with three offices across Kent. Founded in 2003, we have grown to become one of the largest independent accountancy practices in the region, supporting individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations across the UK and Europe.

What is the Opportunity?

We are looking for a Semi Senior Accountant to join our Ashford office, offering an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a growing and supportive firm. This role will provide exposure to a varied client portfolio and a broad range of responsibilities, allowing you to build both your technical skills and client relationship experience.

The role would suit someone who enjoys working as part of a team, is proactive in their approach, and takes pride in building strong relationships with clients. In return, you’ll join a supportive team that encourages professional development, offers opportunities for progression, and provides study support to help you achieve your professional qualifications.

Salary: Based on experience and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit VAT returns in line with HMRC requirements and deadlines.
• Undertake bookkeeping duties and maintain client records to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Assist with month-end and year-end processes, including preparing information for senior accountants.
• Use a variety of cloud-based and desktop accounting software including Xero, Quickbooks and Sage.
• Support Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA), including digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships through a professional and proactive approach.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the firm to deliver excellent client service.
• Assist in the preparation of financial accounts for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships across a variety of industries.

Who We’re Looking For

• Actively studying AAT, ACCA or ACA or qualified by experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a UK accountancy practice handling similar assignments.
• Experience using Iris, Sage, Xero or QuickBooks would be advantageous.
• Confident communicating with clients, demonstrating a professional and service-focused approach
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce high-quality, accurate work

What We Offer

• Ongoing professional development and training
• 20 days annual leave + bank holidays (plus your birthday & Christmas Eve off each year)
• Two paid volunteering days for a charity of your choice
• Dress down Friday – the last Friday of each month
• Two staff social events each year (Summer & Christmas)

Due to the nature of the role, applicants should be based within a reasonable commuting distance of our Ashford office (approximately 30 minutes).

Pay: From £25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Paid volunteer time

Work Location: In person

VCTs are listed funds that invest in young, unquoted companies. They are a crucial source of capital for early-stage businesses. They have raised £4.3bn in the last five years, according to HMRC. Past beneficiaries include Graze, Virgin Wines, and Zoopla.

The annual VCT investment limit has doubled to £10m, intending to help companies scale beyond the start-up phase. But cutting the tax relief at the same time is seen as contradictory – “giving with one hand and taking with the other.” The last time VCT relief was cut – from 40% to 30% in 2006 – fundraising dropped by two-thirds year-on-year. Wealthier investors may redirect their money elsewhere, for example EIS/SEIS (offering 30-50% relief), pensions or mainstream equity income funds.

Estates above the nil rate band will face a 40% IHT charge. It is believed that 10,500 estates will pay IHT for the first time and 38,500 estates will see higher bills, averaging £34,000 extra. However, this change will only see a move from 5% to 8% of all estates paying IHT.

Despite this, research shows widespread anxiety with 54% of adults fearing their families will face higher IHT and 22% now feeling less confident about their pensions. People are already reacting to the impending change, with savers withdrawing £3.9bn in lump sums in the year after the announcement – £868m more than the previous year. One in seven are spending more of their pension; nearly half plan to. Other things to consider, if you feel your family will now receive an IHT bill, is to exchange your pension for an annuity (these are normally outside the scope of IHT) or use the gifting rules to reduce your estate’s overall value.

Please get in touch to discuss your options if you feel this rule change is going to affect you.

Taxpayers can apply if they cannot use digital tools because of age, disability, health conditions, or religious beliefs. Those approved can continue filing traditional Self-Assessment returns.

759 of the approved exemptions related to taxpayers entering the system in April 2026, ahead of the first rollout phase. Applications are expected to rise as the April 2027 deadline approaches as more sole traders and landlords will be eligible due to the earnings threshold dropping from £50k (earned in the 2024/25 tax year) to £30k (earned in the 2025/26 tax year).

As digital exclusion is hard to define and evidence, please get in touch if you would like us to assist in an exemption application.

This does not change the need to submit a self-assessment tax return by 31 January 2027. Tax payments are also still due on 31 January and 31 July each year, as before.

These quarterly updates must be submitted using HMRC recognised software. There are many free and paid for options available, as well as utilising an accountant to act as an agent for you. Don’t forget that separate submissions must be made for each income stream, for example if you earn money from being self-employed but also receive rental income, you’ll need to submit two updates.

Research shows 70% of sole traders don’t understand what they need to do under the new MTD system, only 37% know about the first deadline and just 8% currently use software to manage their tax records.

Please get in touch if you need assistance in choosing the right option for you or want to check that your choice will keep you compliant with the new rules as HMRC is introducing fines for non-compliance and late submissions.

Following the acquisition of our latest office, we are continuing to grow our team and are seeking a motivated and organised Junior Accountant to join our expanding practice. This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their career who is eager to learn, gain hands-on experience, and develop within a supportive and forward-thinking firm.

Key Responsibilities
• Assist with the preparation and submission of VAT returns in line with HMRC requirements and deadlines.
• Support the maintenance of accurate bookkeeping records for multiple client accounts using cloud accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, Sage).
• Assist with month-end and year-end processes, including preparing basic working papers.
• Support senior team members in the preparation of financial accounts for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships.
• Learn and support Making Tax Digital requirements, including digital record-keeping.
• Liaise with clients in a professional manner and build strong working relationships.

Who We’re Looking For: The Ideal Candidate
• Studying AAT or keen to begin studying towards a qualification.
• Some experience in an accountancy practice is desirable but not essential.
• Strong willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and a team-focused approach.
• Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

What We Offer
• Ongoing professional development and full study support
• 20 days annual leave + bank holidays (plus your birthday & Christmas Eve off each year)
• Two paid volunteering days for a charity of your choice
• Dress down Friday – the last Friday of each month
• Two staff social events each year (Summer & Christmas)