https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/ Plain-English guides on tax, accounts and Making Tax Digital for UK small businesses, from AF Coopers & Co, Chartered Certified Accountants in Woodford Green, London. en-gb Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:51:49 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/tax-for-delivery-riders-and-taxi-drivers.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/tax-for-delivery-riders-and-taxi-drivers.html Do you need to pay tax on delivery or taxi app income? The £1,000 trading allowance, platform reporting to HMRC, mileage rates and expenses explained. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/making-tax-digital-for-vat.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/making-tax-digital-for-vat.html Making Tax Digital for VAT explained: digital records, compatible software, digital links, spreadsheets and bridging software, exemptions and penalties. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/how-to-appeal-an-hmrc-penalty.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/how-to-appeal-an-hmrc-penalty.html How to appeal a Self Assessment or VAT penalty: the 30-day time limit, what counts as a reasonable excuse, and what to do if HMRC says no. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/amend-self-assessment-tax-return.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/amend-self-assessment-tax-return.html How to correct a Self Assessment tax return online or on paper, the 12-month time limit, what to do after it, and claiming overpayment relief. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/hmrc-compliance-check-letter.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/hmrc-compliance-check-letter.html Had a compliance check letter from HMRC? What it means, the steps to take, whether you can ignore it, and how the check ends. Plain-English guide. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/payments-on-account-explained.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/payments-on-account-explained.html What Self Assessment payments on account are, who pays them, the 31 January and 31 July dates, and why your first January bill can be higher than expected. Sat, 03 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/behind-on-your-self-assessment-tax-return.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/behind-on-your-self-assessment-tax-return.html Not started your 2025 to 2026 tax return? Five steps to file by 31 January 2027, what lateness costs, and what to do if you cannot pay. Sat, 03 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/what-to-bring-to-your-accountant.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/what-to-bring-to-your-accountant.html A practical checklist of what to give your accountant: sole traders, limited companies, landlords and personal tax return details. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/vat-for-small-businesses.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/vat-for-small-businesses.html When to register for VAT, how returns and deadlines work, and the Flat Rate and Cash Accounting schemes, explained for UK small businesses. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/starting-a-business-checklist.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/starting-a-business-checklist.html A practical checklist for starting a business in the UK: structure, HMRC registration, business name, records, bank account and VAT. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/sole-trader-or-limited-company.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/sole-trader-or-limited-company.html Sole trader or limited company? The main differences in liability, admin, tax and taking money out, and how to decide. From AF Coopers & Co, London. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/self-assessment-deadlines-and-penalties.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/self-assessment-deadlines-and-penalties.html Key Self Assessment dates for the 2025 to 2026 tax year, the penalties for filing or paying late, and how to avoid them. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/directors-salary-or-dividends.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/directors-salary-or-dividends.html How salary and dividends differ for limited company directors, what to consider when choosing the mix, and why to review it each year. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax.html Making Tax Digital for Income Tax explained: who it applies to, the 2026-2028 thresholds, quarterly update deadlines and how to get ready. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/how-to-change-accountant.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/how-to-change-accountant.html How to change accountant in the UK without the stress: the steps, the timing and what your new accountant handles for you. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-an-accountant-cost.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-an-accountant-cost.html What affects an accountant's fee, how accountants charge, and the questions to ask before you agree. A plain-English guide for UK small businesses. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/hiring-your-first-employee.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/hiring-your-first-employee.html A plain-English checklist for hiring your first employee in the UK: right to work, payroll, pension, contract and telling HMRC. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/allowable-expenses-for-small-businesses.html https://www.afcoopers.co.uk/blog/allowable-expenses-for-small-businesses.html What sole traders and small businesses can claim as allowable expenses in the UK: the main categories, mixed-use costs and the trading allowance. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000