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Stephen Farra Associates We are a well established firm of Chartered Certified Accountants, specialising in tax advice and business consultancy based in Hornchurch, Essex

⏳ HMRC Loan Charge Settlement Offers, Are You Affected?HMRC has begun issuing formal settlement offers to individuals an...
18/09/2026

⏳ HMRC Loan Charge Settlement Offers, Are You Affected?

HMRC has begun issuing formal settlement offers to individuals and employers with outstanding Loan Charge liabilities from disguised remuneration or contractor loan schemes.

The revised terms can significantly reduce what's payable, recalculating tax by year of receipt, allowing for promoter fees, and cutting a further £5,000, with most penalties and late payment interest dropped. But recipients typically have just 90 days to respond, and missing the deadline usually means HMRC pursues the full original liability.

If you've received a settlement offer, used a contractor loan scheme in the past, or know someone who has, don't navigate this alone. Get in touch with our team for a clear, professional review of your options and support agreeing an affordable payment plan.

📞 Contact Stephen Farra Associates today.

💼 UK job vacancies hit a five year lowThe latest ONS figures show vacancies fell to 707,000 over May to July, the lowest...
17/09/2026

💼 UK job vacancies hit a five year low

The latest ONS figures show vacancies fell to 707,000 over May to July, the lowest level in more than five years. Unemployment held steady at 4.9%, but smaller businesses are pulling back on recruitment as labour and operating costs climb, and private sector wage growth has slowed to its weakest pace in six years.

The BCC points to business confidence at a post pandemic low, with proposed zero hours contract changes adding further pressure on hiring plans.

If rising employment costs are affecting your recruitment plans or cash flow forecasting, we're here to help you plan ahead.

📉 Business confidence remains subduedThe latest IoD Economic Confidence Index has slipped again, falling to -63 in July ...
16/09/2026

📉 Business confidence remains subdued

The latest IoD Economic Confidence Index has slipped again, falling to -63 in July from -61 in June, continuing the weak and volatile trend seen since the 2024 Budget.

Confidence among leaders in their own organisations has also turned negative, dropping to -2 from +7, while revenue expectations have fallen to their lowest point this year. Combined with stubbornly high costs, that means margins are being squeezed harder than ever.

For many businesses, the message is clear: careful cost management and forward planning matter more than ever right now.

We're here to help you review your cost base, forecast with confidence and plan for what's ahead. Get in touch to talk it through.

🤝 Small Businesses Need Better Support to Recruit TalentThe Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has released a new acti...
15/09/2026

🤝 Small Businesses Need Better Support to Recruit Talent

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has released a new action plan calling for urgent reform of the skills system, warning that small firms are being left behind despite their vital role in creating opportunities for young people.

Rising employment costs are forcing many businesses to cut training budgets, a trend the FSB says is holding back economic growth.

Key recommendations include:
✅ A national network connecting employers with the right training providers
✅ A career matchmaking service linking small businesses with young talent
✅ A more accessible, SME friendly apprenticeship system

At Stephen Farra Associates, we know firsthand how vital the right recruitment support is for small businesses looking to grow their teams. It's encouraging to see this issue getting national attention, now it's time for action.

What's your experience recruiting talent as a small business? Let us know in the comments 👇

🧾 HMRC to auto enrol taxpayers into Making Tax Digital for Income TaxFrom September 2026, HMRC will start signing up sol...
15/09/2026

🧾 HMRC to auto enrol taxpayers into Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

From September 2026, HMRC will start signing up sole traders and landlords for MTD for Income Tax if they haven't registered themselves, and will write to confirm it's been done. If you're affected, you'll need MTD compatible software to keep digital records, send quarterly updates, and file your end of year return.

Miss a deadline and it's not just a slap on the wrist, penalty points build up, and hit four, you're facing a fine.

Don't wait for the letter. Get ahead of MTD for IT now and make sure your records and software are ready. Get in touch with our team today for support.

Farmers from across the UK are urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to honour his pre election pledge and reverse changes ...
09/09/2026

Farmers from across the UK are urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to honour his pre election pledge and reverse changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) at the Autumn Budget.

Since 6 April 2026, a £2.5 million cap per person now applies to 100% relief, up from the originally proposed £1 million threshold, but still a major shift for farming families and business owners planning for succession.

The Ulster Farmers' Union says government "has more work to do" to rebuild trust with the farming community.

Don't wait to see what happens at the Budget. If IHT changes could affect your estate, business or farm, get in touch with our team today for tailored advice.



A welcome boost for pubs, clubs and live music venues 🍻🎶Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% cut to business ...
07/09/2026

A welcome boost for pubs, clubs and live music venues 🍻🎶

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England, a move designed to ease pressure on the businesses that anchor our local high streets and communities.

The reduction takes effect from April 2027 and is expected to save the typical pub around £1,100 next year, with nearly 32,000 venues set to benefit. The government says the changes will be fully funded, in part by reviewing rate reliefs for businesses seen as making less of a positive contribution to local communities.

Announcing the measure, the PM said the aim is to back the venues people actually want to see thriving on their high streets, calling them "the beating heart of our communities." The Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed the signal, noting it points to a broader increase in Small Business Rate Relief at the next Budget.

For our clients in hospitality and the night time economy, this could ease cost pressures and support longer term planning. At Stephen Farra Associates, we'll be tracking how this policy develops and what it means in practice, reach out if you'd like to talk through how it could affect your business.

CIOT reports mixed progress from HMRC this year: record compliance yield, faster phone response times (hitting the 85% h...
04/09/2026

CIOT reports mixed progress from HMRC this year: record compliance yield, faster phone response times (hitting the 85% helpline target for the first time!) and rising digital adoption. But customer satisfaction, correspondence handling and tax debt levels are still falling short.

Callers are getting through faster than last year, but it still takes twice as long to reach HMRC as it did in the 2010s. With a 2030 target of 90% of interactions going digital, there's a way to go yet.

Stephen Farra Associates is here to help you navigate HMRC and stay on top of your tax affairs. 📞💼



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