Farries Kirk & McVean

Set up and manage a workplace pension scheme ⚙️

Employers have to provide a workplace pension scheme for eligible staff as soon as their first member of staff starts working for them (known as your ‘duties start date’).

You’re usually an employer if you deduct tax and National Insurance contributions from an employee’s wages.

You must enrol and make an employer’s contribution for all staff who:

🔹 are aged between 22 and the State Pension age
🔹 earn at least £10,000 a year
🔹 normally work in the UK (this includes people who are based in the UK but travel abroad for work)

If staff become eligible because of a change in their age or earnings, you must put them into your pension scheme and write to them within 6 weeks of the day they meet the criteria.

Read more 👉 https://tinyurl.com/5cyzvuvs

Just under one month until Va**ng Products Duty and the Va**ng Duty Stamps Scheme start 🗓️

Businesses are reminded to prepare for Va**ng Products Duty and the Va**ng Duty Stamps Scheme which start on 1 October 2026.

Va**ng Products Duty is a new excise duty on all va**ng liquids manufactured in, or imported into, the UK, whether they contain ni****ne or not.

Va**ng duty stamps will start appearing on va**ng products’ retail packaging from 1 October.

The measures support the government’s ambition to tackle youth va**ng and improve public health.

Read more > https://tinyurl.com/2s443z9n

**ngDuty

Our services | Start-ups 🚀

ScotGov reported earlier this year that Scotland is one of Europe’s most dynamic start-up economies, growing at an annual rate of 19%.

It outpaces the UK (12.5%), France (12%) and even Sweden (10%), one of the world’s most admired start-up economies.

Practical advice and guidance are available to all new businesses with our Start-up service.

The right financial foundations matter for any new business finding its feet, so why not talk to us today 👉 01387 252127

Don't overpay on tax if you're self-employed. 🤔

Freelancers, sole traders, and anybody else who's self-employed are taxed on profit.

Not earnings.

Accurate expense recording is essential for your self-assessment tax return.

Get in touch with our team today.

👉 https://fkmcv.co.uk/contact
☎️01387 252127

Our services | Audit & Assurance 🔦

As Registered Auditors, we provide a complete service to meet all Limited Company requirements.

An audit illuminates much more than just whether your accounts are in order. It paints a clearer picture of how your financial systems are working and which need attention.

We can help...

🔎 Review financial records and accounting processes
🗒️ Ensure reporting meets necessary requirements
⚠️ Identify potential risks and areas for improvement
💡 Offer straightforward solutions

Talk to our expert team today: 01387 252127

📊 Our services | Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping isn't just a box-ticking exercise.

It helps you understand your cash flow, stay prepared for tax deadlines and make smarter business decisions. 💷

Want to brush up on your bookkeeping skills? 🪮

Our practical training can help you keep accurate records with confidence. 📒✨

Get in touch to find out more > https://fkmcv.co.uk/contact/

Welcome to School Bag 🎒

Around 47,000 children starting Primary One in the next academic year, 2027-28, will be the first to receive a Welcome to School backpack in a variety of colours, to help them start school feeling excited, supported and ready to learn.

The bags will be lightweight, made of durable, recycled materials, have multiple versatile compartments and pockets, reflective piping for safety, and space for name tags and a window in which children can place a drawing to personalise their backpack. Each one will contain:

✏️ a pencil case
🎨 stationery including pens, pencils, coloured crayons and a notebook
🚰 a water bottle
📖 resources to encourage reading, writing and maths practice at home

More info > https://tinyurl.com/v5cb9nrp

Check if a text message you've received from HMRC is genuine❗

Branded messages

HMRC may send branded text messages to some customers. These will look different to standard text messages.

These branded messages will:

✅ show HM Revenue and Customs as the sender
✅ include the HMRC logo
✅ contain the verified sender’s information

Links in text messages

HMRC does send text messages to some customers.

In the text message, they might include a link to GOV.UK information or to HMRC webchat.

HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information when they send text messages.

More information 👉 https://tinyurl.com/bdfkvh4k

UK House Price Index Scotland: June 2026

🏘️ The average property price in Dumfries and Galloway was £162,460 in June 2025, and £166,891 in June 2026, a difference of 2.7%

🏘️ The average price of a property in Scotland was £195,000

🏘️ The annual price change of a property in Scotland was 2.3%

🏘️ The monthly price change of a property in Scotland was -0.5%

🏘️The index figure for Scotland (January 2023 = 100) was 111.6

Full report > https://tinyurl.com/4ty977u3

Claim tax relief for your job expenses

You might be able to claim tax relief if:

👍 you use your own money for things that you must buy for your job
👍 you only use these things for your work

You cannot claim tax relief if your employer either gives you:

👎 all the money back
👎 an alternative, for example your employer gives you a laptop but you want a different type or model

If your employer has paid some of your expenses, you can only claim tax relief on the amount they have not paid.

Read more 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3x8v9cvj
Contact us 👉 01387 252127