We love to work with ambitious businesses that stand out from the crowd, which is exemplified by Self Studio.

This thriving business is a brand and technology partner for other forward-thinking businesses and helps its clients shape, not just how they look, but how they work and grow.

By bringing brand and tech together under one roof, they create digital products, systems and brand experiences that are both beautifully crafted and highly functional.

Working with clients from London to the US, Dubai, Armenia and Hong Kong, Self Studio has built a reputation for creativity and meticulous attention to detail.

We have worked with Self Studio since the very beginning of their journey and have helped them as they have grown and evolved.

Self Studio’s founders said: “We’ve worked with Rotherham Taylor since day one. They’ve always had our back, helping us navigate complex crypto and international trading accounting.”

For us, this is exactly what a strong client relationship should look like and we are delighted to be a part of their journey.

If you are building a business with international reach or operating in a fast-moving, complex sector, Rotherham Taylor is here to help.

The deadline for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is just around the corner and if you are still managing rental property finances in spreadsheets, you may soon be in for a shock.

From April 2026, landlords with gross income exceeding £50,000 will need to comply with MTD and they need to have HMRC-compliant software in place that allows them to record and report their finances accurately each quarter.

Our app of the month, Hammock, is a UK landlord-focused accounting platform designed to bring rental income, expenses, and tax compliance into one easy-to-manage platform.

It offers bookkeeping, property tax statements, and portfolio metrics, including profit and loss, loan-to-value ratio, rental yields, arrears balances, and occupancy rates.

Hammock stands out as one of only a handful of platforms built specifically for landlords to provide the same functionality as more generalised accounting software.

The platform is recognised by HMRC as MTD-compatible, supports quarterly and annual submissions, provides real-time tax estimate forecasting and includes reminders for filing deadlines and expiring documents, such as insurance policies and gas safety certificates.

For landlords with more complex arrangements, Hammock also highlights support for ownership structures, including joint ownership.

This piece of cloud software is designed to reduce admin while giving landlords a clearer view of their portfolio’s performance and tax position throughout the year.

We already use this platform with a number of our landlord clients, so if you would like to learn more about how you can use it to meet your MTD obligations and more, please get in touch.

Selling a property during the probate process – A quick guide

When a loved one dies, the immediate focus is often on dealing with the grief and preparing their funeral arrangements, but if you are an executor or an administrator for the estate, you also have obligations in relation to the deceased’s property.

Selling a home that is in probate is similar to an ordinary property sale in some ways, but there are additional legal and administrative steps that must be dealt with first.

If you find yourself in this position, here are some of the points you will need to consider.

Confirm who has the authority to sell

Just because someone has died, it doesn’t mean that the property can be immediately sold.

You must first confirm who has the authority to deal with the sale of the home.

This would normally be the executor where a Will exists or in the case of intestacy, where there is no Will, an administrator.

Beneficiaries may have an interest in the estate, but the legal responsibility for handling the sale sits with these personal representatives.

Applying for Grant of Probate

Before the sale can be completed, the executor will usually need a Grant of Probate, which is the legal document confirming authority to deal with the deceased’s estate.

You can begin preparing for the sale before probate is granted, but contracts cannot usually be exchanged until the Grant has been issued.

If you haven’t dealt with a person’s estate before, you need to be aware that the Grant of Probate can take time, so this should be dealt with as soon as possible after a person’s death.

Obtaining a probate valuation

The property should be valued based on its market value at the time of death, as this is important for tax and probate purposes.

Even if the eventual sale price differs slightly, an immediate valuation should be the first step that is taken.

A proper valuation helps demonstrate that the executor or administrator is acting in the interests of the estate.

Personal representatives have a duty to act in the best interests of the estate, which usually means taking all reasonable steps to secure market value for the property for the benefit of beneficiaries.

Accepting an offer that is clearly too low could expose the executor to criticism or, in some cases, a claim from beneficiaries. A quick sale is not always the same as a proper sale.

Check the title and legal position

Before marketing the property, you must confirm the legal title and identify any issues that could affect the sale.

Issues that typically come up include restrictions on the title, existing mortgages, shared ownership arrangements or other defects that need to be resolved.

Put the property on the market

Once all of the groundwork is done, the property can be marketed.

Being clear with agents and buyers about likely timescales helps manage expectations and avoid unnecessary delay later.

Whilst the property is up for sale, you should ensure that you have property insurance in place to protect the estate. This is a point that is often overlooked.

Need help managing the sale of a probate property?

Getting the right advice early can make the process smoother, reduce delays and help executors feel more confident that they are meeting their duties properly.

If you are dealing with a probate property sale and need support with the estate, valuations or the wider administration process, speaking to our probate team can help.

This year, we have chosen Regenerage as our latest charity of the year, continuing our long-standing commitment to supporting local causes.

The partnership will see our team support Regenerage through a range of fundraising activities, helping the charity continue its work supporting older people across Lancashire.

Regenerage is a local, fully independent charity devoted to helping people live well and age well.

Its work ranges from helping individuals continue doing the things they enjoy, through to providing additional support during times of need.

Plans are underway to potentially join forces with other local businesses to create a collaborative community volunteering initiative.

All funds raised for Regenerage are reinvested back into the charity, supporting older people and their carers across Lancashire.

Rebecca Bradshaw, our Director at Rotherham Taylor, said: “We are really excited about supporting Regenerage throughout 2026 and can’t wait to see just how much we manage to raise for this incredible cause.

“They do such important work locally and prove that age is just a number, not something that should define how we live our lives.

“I know our entire team in Preston is excited to get involved with the activities and fundraising that we have planned.”

We have a strong track record of charitable fundraising and last year we raised £1,000 for Samaritans through a wide range of staff-led initiatives.

From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage rates will increase once again, driving up employment costs for many businesses and requiring them to review their payroll processes.

If you haven’t considered how these new rates will affect your business, you should do so now.

What’s changing in minimum wage rates?

From April 2026, the new rates will be:

These rates are mandatory and businesses must comply to avoid penalties. This includes making sure that their payroll processes are up to date and account for employees’ ages changing and any deductions that could affect their base pay.

Steps to prepare

As the clock is now ticking to the new rates being introduced, employers should:

1. Review payroll and costs: Check how the increase will affect your payroll and plan for higher labour costs.
2. Update systems and contracts: Ensure payroll systems are updated to reflect the new rates, including reviewing employment contracts and employee records.
3. Assess pay scales: The wage rise could create pay compression. Review your pay scales to ensure fair compensation for more experienced or qualified staff.
4. Consider pricing and efficiency: You may need to adjust prices or improve efficiency to offset higher wage costs.
5. Communicate with employees: Inform your staff about the wage rise and any adjustments to pay structures.

By updating your business processes, you can manage the National Minimum Wage increases effectively without disruption. If you need any support with these payroll changes, please get in touch.

Since November 2025, it has become a requirement for all company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) to verify their identity with Companies House.

As this must be completed by November this year, it is concerning that many have still not done so.

This verification process is part of the UK Government’s efforts to enhance transparency and prevent fraud under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).

To do this, you can use the Government’s own ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service, which uses GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as a solicitor or accountant that is registered with the scheme.

The process is simple and requires you to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or driver’s licence.

If you haven’t completed this verification process already, you could face complications when submitting your annual confirmation statement this year.

What’s changing with Companies House?

Companies House now requires all company directors and PSCs to go through the identity verification process.

This applies to both new and existing directors and it’s necessary to ensure your company complies with new anti-money laundering rules.

If you don’t verify your identity, Companies House will block your ability to file documents, such as your annual confirmation statement.

The verification process is designed to enhance the security and legitimacy of company records, making it easier to track the individuals behind UK businesses.

Not submitting it could result in penalties, fines or even the dissolution of your company.

Don’t leave it too late

Make sure you complete the identity verification as soon as possible. Without it, your company won’t be able to submit the required annual confirmation statement and you could face penalties.

If you’re unsure about the process and need further guidance, please get in touch with our team.

With just a few weeks before Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax comes into effect on 6 April, the countdown is on.

HMRC has been sending letters to thousands of sole traders, landlords and self-employed individuals, warning them their reporting obligations are about to change.

Whether you have received your letter or not, you should act now to ensure you are compliant.

What is MTD for Income Tax?

MTD for Income Tax is HMRC’s move towards a fully digital tax system.

If you are affected, you will need to:

• Keep digital records of your income and expenses
• Use HMRC-compatible software
• Submit quarterly updates to HMRC
• Complete an end-of-year declaration

Quarterly updates will not replace your annual Self-Assessment, but it does mean that you will interact with HMRC more regularly throughout the year.

Who will be affected?

MTD for Income Tax is being rolled out in stages based on your gross income:

• April 2026 – gross income over £50,000
• April 2027 – gross income over £30,000
• April 2028 – gross income over £20,000

Those who fall into the first phase of MTD for Income Tax in April must submit their first quarterly update by 7 August 2026.

You must also keep your digital records accurate from the start of the tax year and file your Self-Assessment return by 31 January 2027.

How can you prepare for MTD for Income Tax?

The time to act is now. You need to move away from paper records and understand your new obligations.

You will then need to choose an MTD-compatible software or use a suitable bridging solution that works for your finances. It is necessary to sign up for MTD for Income Tax, as HMRC will not automatically do this for you. You can then begin digital record-keeping.

HMRC is taking a soft launch approach to MTD for Income Tax and is waiving penalties for the first year, but you must still remain compliant.

Our team can advise you on your reporting requirements, help you implement the right software solution and handle quarterly submissions on your behalf.

For further advice or support, get in touch today.

The new tax year is just a few weeks away, starting on 6 April, so allow us to refresh your memory of the key changes in store for 2026/27.

Personal tax

The Government has decided to continue the Income Tax threshold freeze until at least April 2031, while keeping the tax-free personal allowance at £12,570.

With these rates and thresholds remaining unchanged, we will see more individuals dragged into higher tax bands.

Inheritance Tax (IHT)

From April 2026, the 100 per cent Agricultural Relief and Business Relief will be capped at £2.5m per individual.

A 50 per cent rate of relief will apply to assets above this threshold.

However, the Government have confirmed that it will be transferable between spouses and civil partners.

Business tax

The main rate of writing down allowance will drop from 18 to 14 per cent from April 2026.

However, a new first-year allowance of 40 per cent for main‑rate assets will be available to ensure start-ups are not too disadvantaged.

Business owners looking to exit their business using an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) will also be required to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on 50 per cent of their profits, following the removal of the existing 100 per cent relief.

Will there be a wealth tax?

No, but the ordinary and upper rates of tax on dividend income will increase by two percentage points from April 2026. The additional rate will remain unchanged.

There are additional changes to consider, including new separate tax rates for property income and a new mansion tax.

However, these changes will not come into effect until April 2027 and April 2028, respectively.

Get advice for the new year

With so many changes to prepare for, or non-changes in some cases, understanding your position early gives you more options as the new tax year approaches.

To get your affairs up to date, book your 2026/27 tax planning consultation.

For business owners preparing to sell or exit their company, a stricter interpretation of the qualifying conditions for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) and increased scrutiny from HMRC will soon be introduced.

These changes may affect the timing of a sale, the structure of your business and the tax you will pay on any gains.

What is Business Asset Disposal Relief?

BADR allows qualifying business owners to pay a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the disposal of business assets or shares. The relief currently applies up to a lifetime limit of £1 million.

Gains above this limit are taxed at the standard higher-rate CGT of 24 per cent.

What are the changes to BADR?

In April 2025, we saw the BADR rate on qualifying gains increase to 14 per cent, up from 10 per cent.

In April 2026, we will see a further increase to 18 per cent.

To put that rise into perspective, if you sold your shares and made a gain of £1m, before 6 April 2026, your tax bill would be £140,000. A sale after this date will result in a £180,000 bill.

BADR eligibility

To qualify for BADR, the following must apply for at least two years up to the point your business is sold:

• You are a sole trader or business partner
• You have owned the business for at least two years

For further information on eligibility criteria, visit Business Asset Disposal Relief: Eligibility – GOV.UK.

Structuring your sale

Two common exit strategies are Management Buyouts (MBO) and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT).

EOTs can reward key employees while maintaining business continuity, though CGT relief is now limited to 50 per cent of the gain.

MBOs transfer ownership to the management team, providing continuity but requiring careful attention to funding and tax timing.

Next steps for business owners

You can start by asking whether the current structure reflects a trading business, whether all shareholders are aligned and if phased disposal could improve the tax position.

Review shareholdings and employee or director roles to ensure they meet the criteria.

You should also consider whether financial separation of non-trading assets will boost BADR eligibility.

Finally, forecast your tax exposure to understand the financial impact it will have on your retirement.

Speak to our team today to confirm your BADR eligibility and ensure your tax liabilities are minimised.