Could Your Client Be Paying an Effective 60% Tax Rate?
By James W. Melhuish DipPFS EFADirector, Pocknells Wealth Management I often meet clients who know the additional rate of Income Tax starts above £125,140, but have never heard of
Hallmarks of a sustainable and independent accountancy practice
Where do independent accountancy practices sit in a world dominated by private equity and disrupted by AI? Can they survive, or even thrive? These were two key questions that Foulg
New Vape Tax and Tobacco Duty Increases from October 2026
Vape tax kicked in on October 1st as government eyes up £120m windfall tax as 44% increase in vape costs and an instant 44p hike in the duty on cigarettes and £2.20 on tobacco. A
Could Making Tax Digital Improve Your Client’s Financial Plan?
By James W. Melhuish DipPFS EFA Director, Pocknells Wealth Management I have always thought that the most useful financial planning conversations happen when the figures are curren
HMRC Agent Update 147
HMRC has published Agent Update Issue 147, bringing together the latest guidance, service updates and reminders for tax agents and advisers. Key items in this issue include: Update
Business Asset Disposal Relief
What to Consider Before the Budget Changes to capital gains tax and business asset disposal relief, the old entrepreneurs’ relief, could reduce what business owners retain on exi
Could Your Client’s Business Be Worth More Than Their Inheritance Tax Plan Allows?
By James W. Melhuish DipPFS EFA Director, Pocknells Wealth Management For years, many business owners have assumed that a successful trading company could pass to the next generati
Member Update: Fair Work Agency, IFRS for SMEs and HMRC MFA
A number of important regulatory and professional updates are taking effect or have been published this month. Here is a brief round-up for SPA members, covering the Fair Work Agen
Could Your Client’s Pension Become Their Estate’s Biggest Tax Surprise?
By James W. Melhuish DipPFS EFADirector, Pocknells Wealth Management Over the past few years, many clients have come to see their pension as more than a retirement fund. It has als
HMRC Planned Outages: 26–28 September 2026
HMRC has announced planned maintenance that will affect a number of its online services over the weekend of 26–28 September 2026. Members should be aware of the following periods