If you are buying a property that needs work, HMRC has just issued a major heads up, following a recent Court of Appeal ruling in the Mudan & Anor case against HMRC. Basically, even if a home is in bits, as long as it is still fundamentally a dwelling, maybe it needs a new boiler, rewiring or damp proofing, it still attracts the standard residential Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Here is where it gets tricky, and unfortunately, risky for buyers.

Some unregulated tax agents are approaching homebuyers, promising SDLT refunds by claiming the property is non-residential because it is uninhabitable, often on a no win, no fee basis. But if HMRC later decides the claim is bogus, you are the one left footing the bill for the full SDLT, plus penalties and interest.

HMRC is taking these claims seriously and is using both civil and criminal powers to crack down on those trying to game the system. Anthony Burke, HMRC’s Deputy Director of Compliance Assets, has been clear, if someone else files a dodgy claim on your behalf, you could end up owing more than you initially paid.

Let us break it down with a sample scenario.

Imagine you buy a property for £1.1 million, and your solicitor submits the SDLT return on the correct residential basis, meaning you pay £53,750. The property needs serious work, but it is still a home. An agent offers to get you a refund by claiming it is non-residential. They manage to secure £9,250, but after their 30 per cent fee, you only receive £6,475. HMRC investigates and rejects the claim, leaving you responsible for repaying the £9,250, plus penalties and interest, while the agent has already taken their cut and disappeared.

What can you do instead?

• Be cautious of refund offers that seem too good to be true.
• If in doubt, check official SDLT guidance or speak to a qualified, regulated adviser, because if the claim is made in your name, the responsibility is yours too.
• And if you genuinely are due a refund for a valid reason, you can claim it yourself without paying anyone a fee.

The message is simple, do not be lured into bogus refund schemes. Play it safe and stick to trusted advice when it comes to Stamp Duty.

The UK government has just announced a pragmatic pause on its planned extra border checks for live animal imports from the EU, as well as certain animal and plant goods arriving from Ireland, while negotiations continue on a full Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU.

This move is all about easing trade friction. Once the SPS deal is in place, routine border checks on animal and plant products between the UK and EU are set to vanish, making supply chains more streamlined and far less paperwork heavy, all while keeping biosecurity front and centre.

So, here’s what is happening right now:

• No new checks, for now. The UK has suspended plans to roll out extra checks, for live animals from the EU and certain goods from Ireland, pending finalisation of the SPS agreement.
• Existing controls still apply. Traders must still follow the current Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which includes documentary and risk-based checks. No blanket physical checks yet, but rules remain in force.
• Rolling review. Defra is keeping the suspension under regular review, working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Control Post operators and Port Health Authorities to ensure biosecurity is not compromised while trade fluidity improves.
• It is part of a bigger reset. Earlier in June, checks on medium-risk EU fruit and vegetables were shelved too, another sign the UK is gradually dialling down post-Brexit red tape.

Why this matters

If you are in the realms of farming or food trade, this is welcome relief. Live animals and perishable goods are expensive to move, and delays can quickly erode margins or spoil produce. Making the process easier, without sacrificing safety, is a win for businesses and shoppers alike.

Biosecurity is not being thrown out with bureaucracy either. The government emphasises that they are maintaining security through targeted inspections rather than universal checks, which can be more efficient and less disruptive.

What’s next?

Negotiations for the full SPS agreement are ongoing, but as of now, there is no implementation timeline. Meanwhile, ports and operators built infrastructure in expectation, some of which might not be used if fewer checks are needed. That is sparking conversations about what happens to costly, now idle facilities.

There you have it, red tape easing, trade relief starting, biosecurity still in focus. All eyes are on when the final SPS deal lands, and what that will mean in practice.

Many business owners keep problems to themselves. You may not want to cause concern, appear as if you have lost control, or damage confidence. Yet, the longer an issue remains unspoken, the more likely it is to grow into something more difficult and costly to resolve.

When owners share challenges early, the speed and quality of the solution improves. This is not about talking for the sake of it, but about giving your advisers the information they need to act before the problem escalates.

Problems rarely fix themselves

In business, most problems grow if left unchecked. A late-paying customer can turn into a major bad debt, or a dip in sales can lead to cash flow shortages. By the time the issue becomes urgent, options may be limited and expensive. Sharing the situation early allows for a proactive rather than reactive response.

Your accountant can only help with what they know

Accountants do more than prepare accounts and file tax returns. We can analyse your figures, benchmark performance, and tap into networks that may provide solutions you have not considered. If we are unaware of the problem, we may continue to advise based on incomplete information, which risks missed opportunities.

Confidentiality and trust

Admitting a problem will not make you look weak. Accountants work under strict professional standards, and everything you share is confidential. What may seem overwhelming to you might be a familiar situation to us, with clear solutions available.

Early conversations mean better choices

Telling your accountant about a slipping profit margin today means you can work together to address it quickly. Waiting until year-end could mean the bank is worried and urgent borrowing is the only option. Early sharing opens the door to more, and better, choices.

A fresh perspective

You will always see your business from the inside. Your accountant can offer an external, financially informed viewpoint. A cash flow gap, for example, may be solved by negotiating supplier terms or restructuring debt, rather than simply cutting costs.

Common issues worth sharing early

• Cash flow pressures – avoid missed payments and penalties.
• Falling sales or profits – identify causes quickly to prevent decline.
• Tax payment worries – arrange time-to-pay plans before penalties escalate.
• Staffing concerns – assess costs and obligations before decisions are made.
• Growth plans – review funding and risk before committing resources.

Make sharing part of the routine

You do not need a perfect report before raising an issue. Start with what you know and let your accountant fill in the details. Regular check-in meetings make sharing problems a normal part of business life, not a stressful exception.

Turning challenges into opportunities

Some problems trigger positive changes – a sales drop might lead to a better product mix, or cash flow issues might result in improved credit control. The earlier you speak up, the more likely a problem becomes an opportunity.

Final thought

The fastest route to solving a problem is to share it with someone who can help. If you have a business issue that is keeping you awake at night, call now. The sooner we know, the sooner we can work together to fix it.

Late payments are one of the most persistent problems facing small businesses in the UK. They damage cash flow, disrupt planning, and in some cases, force otherwise viable companies to close their doors. The government has now announced what it describes as the toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation, with new rules and enforcement powers designed to protect small firms and give them the confidence to grow.

Why late payments matter

According to government figures, poor payment practices cost the UK economy around £11 billion each year. For many small businesses, waiting weeks or even months to be paid by larger customers can create a serious cash flow crisis. On average, 38 UK businesses are forced to close every day because they cannot manage the impact of late or slow payments.

Key changes in the new plan

The new measures aim to ensure that businesses get paid promptly and fairly. They include:

• Stronger enforcement powers for the Small Business Commissioner, including the ability to issue fines.
• Mandatory maximum payment terms initially set at 60 days, reducing to 45 days over time.
• Invoice verification periods limited to a maximum of 30 days, stopping companies from dragging out the approval process.
• Audit committee oversight of payment practices at board level for larger companies, increasing accountability.
• A £4 billion finance boost for small businesses, including 69,000 Start-Up Loans to support growth and stability.

What this means for small businesses

These reforms are designed to tackle the culture of late payments head-on, giving small businesses more certainty over when they will be paid and improving their ability to plan ahead. Having predictable cash flow makes it easier to invest in staff, stock, and equipment without the constant fear of payment delays undermining operations.

Stronger enforcement also means that larger businesses will have to take payment obligations seriously, or risk reputational and financial consequences. The introduction of maximum payment terms and stricter invoice verification timelines should help ensure that suppliers are not kept waiting unnecessarily.

Taking action now

While these changes will offer significant protection, small business owners can still take steps to improve their own credit control and invoicing processes. Clear payment terms, prompt invoicing, and proactive follow-up can all help reduce payment delays.

With the government’s plan aiming to shift payment culture across the UK, small businesses should see a real difference in the months ahead. If you have concerns about how late payments are affecting your business, now is the time to review your credit control processes and take advantage of any new protections available.

Companies House has confirmed a major change that affects every UK company director and person with significant control (PSC). From 18 November 2025, it will be a legal requirement to verify your identity before you can file your company’s confirmation statement.

This is part of wider reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at reducing fraud and misuse of the UK company register. While the new rules will apply to directors and PSCs from November, identity verification for limited partnerships, corporate directors, and officers of corporate PSCs will follow at a later date.

What directors need to do

If you are a company director, you will need to verify your identity before your next confirmation statement is due. You must provide your personal code and a verification statement with that filing. This process needs to be completed for each company you are a director of, although your personal code remains the same.

Failure to comply means your company will not be able to submit its confirmation statement, potentially leading to compliance issues.

What PSCs need to do

People with significant control (PSCs) must also verify their identity and provide their personal code. If you have already verified your identity as a director, you do not need to do it again. However, you still need to link your verified identity to each company role you hold.

Each PSC will have a 14-day window to complete the verification, with timing depending on when you were registered and whether you are also a director.

How to verify

There are two main ways to verify your identity:

1. Use GOV.UK One Login, which guides you through the process online
2. Ask an authorised corporate service provider, such as your accountant or solicitor, to verify on your behalf

Verification is a two-step process: first, you prove your identity and receive a personal code; second, from 18 November onwards, you link that code to your company roles.

Do not delay

Companies House recommends starting the process early, especially if you are based overseas or act for more than one company. If your company cannot file its confirmation statement due to missing identity verification, it risks falling out of good standing.

You can check your confirmation statement due date and start the verification process via the Companies House website.