At DNA Accountants, we know payroll changes can come as a surprise — especially when something new suddenly appears on your payslip. So here’s a guide to what’s happening and why. What’s Changed in 2025/26 for Employer’s National Insurance on Director Payroll From April 2025, the government increased the Employer’s National Insurance Contribution (NIC) rate
Author Archives: Gillian French
start-ups, Tax Planning & Saving Tips, Year-End Preparation Tips
Why Every Business Owner Should Keep Their Will Up to Date
Running a business keeps most of us busy enough without thinking too far ahead. But one of the most practical – and caring – things you can do for your family and your business is to make sure you have a Will in place, and that it’s kept up to date. It’s not the cheeriest
Changes to Tax Rates & Thresholds, Tax Planning & Saving Tips
Understanding Top Slicing Relief: Why It Doesn’t Always Save You Tax
When you cash in a life insurance bond or certain investment policies, you might face something called a “chargeable event gain.” This is the profit built up inside the policy, which HMRC treats as income in the year you cash it in. The problem? The whole gain is added to your income for that year,
I was recently asked a really good question by a client. This husband and wife couple had been running their company together for many years. The husband started the business, and over time his wife became more and more involved, eventually taking on the admin and day-to-day running. At the start, some alphabet shares were
Allowable Limited Company Expenses, Changes to Tax Rates & Thresholds, Director’s Pay vs Dividends, P11D's, Tax Planning & Saving Tips
Should You Have a Company Car? The most asked Question we get!
If I were to create a hit list of questions asked by clients, the one that would be in our top 3 would be around company cars and company car tax implications. A company car is often seen as a desirable perk — but in reality, whether it’s a good idea depends on who you
Government Support & Reliefs, Pensions, Tax Planning & Saving Tips
Busting the Myths About Taking Your Pension Tax-Free
Over the years, many of us end up with several pensions from different jobs — some large, some small, and sometimes a bit forgotten about until retirement looms. When it comes time to draw from them, one question comes up again and again: “Can I take the whole thing tax-free?” The rules around pensions can
Allowable Limited Company Expenses, Tax Planning & Saving Tips
Not All That Glitters Is R&D: Why HMRC Is Clamping Down on Dodgy Claims
At DNA Accountants, we’ve seen a worrying pattern lately: clients who were encouraged by so-called Research & Development (R&D) “specialist” firms to make claims they never should have submitted. The result? HMRC is now knocking on the door, asking for the money back – and in some cases, charging penalties on top. R&D tax relief
Allowable Limited Company Expenses, Self-Assessment Tips for Sole Traders, Tax Planning & Saving Tips
Buying or Leasing a Van: What’s Best for Your Business?
If you’re a business owner, choosing between buying or leasing a van can feel like a big decision. In this guide, we break down the pros, cons, and tax advantages of buying or leasing a van, so you can make a choice that suits your business needs and budget. What’s the Difference When Buying or
Director’s Pay vs Dividends, Tax Planning & Saving Tips
Why Alphabet Shares Could Be a Smart Move for Your Business
If you run a limited company, you might assume all shares are created equal. But that doesn’t have to be the case — and in many small businesses, it shouldn’t be. Creating different types of shares, known as alphabet shares (like A shares, B shares, C shares etc), can offer you flexibility, control, and some
Many business owners set up a limited company to work as a contractor or consultant. But what if things change? Maybe you’ve landed a full-time job and no longer need to invoice through your company. Instead of shutting it down straight away, you have a few options. Let’s go through them step by step. 1.