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By Armstrong Watson

9th April 2026

Business confidence in 2026: what 245 UK businesses told us

Armstrong Watson’s Business Confidence Survey, conducted in March 2026, explores how businesses feel about the year ahead, their expectations for trading conditions, and the challenges shaping decisionmaking as the new tax year begins. 

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By Dan Cozens

8th April 2026

Tax planning tips for UK sole traders and partnerships at the start of the tax year

At the start of a new tax year, there are some considerations sole traders and partnerships should make when it comes to tax planning over the next 12 months.

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By Helen Robinson

8th April 2026

Company year-end planning: Capital allowances, pension contributions and dividend rates

As your company year-end approaches there are some considerations you should make and it is important to think about what you are aiming to achieve.

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Laycock warehouse

By Armstrong Watson

8th April 2026

Businesses brace for tougher trading as cost pressures drive price rises

Armstrong Watson’s latest Client Business Confidence Survey has found more than half of businesses expect trading conditions to worsen in 2026/27, while rising employment costs and wider uncertainty continue to weigh on confidence.

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MTD

By Sally Jones

20th March 2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: What It Means for Barristers (April 2026)

From 6 April 2026, the way self-employed barristers report their income will undergo a major transformation under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA). This represents the biggest change to barristers’ tax compliance since the introduction of Self-Assessment in 1996/97, requiring digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions for those over certain income thresholds.

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Lambs in a field

By Jonathan York

16th March 2026

Budgeting and cash flow forecasting for farmers in uncertain times

For farm businesses, it is difficult to predict what will happen in 2026 or beyond. The only certainty seems to be that commodity prices will continue to fluctuate wildly – the recent fall in milk prices being an unfortunate example. More extreme weather patterns are also likely to impact crop yields, selling prices and input prices, while gas, oil and fertiliser prices have risen as a result of escalating conflict in the Middle East.

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Making tax digital

By Richard Andrew

9th March 2026

Who is exempt from MTD for Income Tax?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will be introduced for self-employed individuals and landlords from 6 April 2026.  

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By Dan Cozens

1st March 2026

Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax on agricultural land and farms

Selling or transferring agricultural land and farms can have significant tax implications, particularly concerning Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT). Following increased CGT rates and major IHT reforms announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget, and a further amendment in the 2025 Autum Budget, it is important to consider the current rates and the implication of future increases.

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Glasgow

By Scott McIver

26th February 2026

Are you subject to the Scottish 67.5% tax trap?

While the 2026/2027 Scottish Budget included measures to increase the income tax thresholds for lower earners (meaning they pay marginally less tax than those in other parts of the UK), the Higher, Advanced and Top rate thresholds in Scotland remain unchanged, leaving some high earners exposed to paying 67.5% in income tax.

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Making tax digital

By Richard Andrew

26th February 2026

Who is affected by Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being phased in from April 2026. It applies to sole traders and landlords, with start dates determined by their level of qualifying income.

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