Sadler Advisory

Last year alone, 1.1 million people missed the 31 January filing deadline and received completely avoidable Self Assessment penalties.

Not because they’ve done anything wrong, but simply because it was filed or paid late.

The result? £220 million paid to HMRC in fines for late Self Assessment in 2023.

That’s £220m that could have stayed in people’s businesses.

At Sadler Advisory, this is the stuff that drives us up the wall. Because with the right support, these penalties are entirely avoidable. And even if the tax owed is relatively small, the fines can stack up fast and put real pressure on otherwise healthy businesses.

If Self Assessment is on your to-do list, these are the key dates you absolutely need to know:

• 31 October – Paper tax return deadline
• 31 January – Online tax return deadline
• 31 January – Tax payment deadline
• 31 July – Second payment on account (if applicable)

Miss one, and HMRC penalties start clocking up automatically.

We’ve broken down how the penalties work and how to avoid them in our latest blog.

https://www.sadleradvisory.com/post/how-to-avoid-self-assessment-penalties-and-late-payment-fines

Today we welcome our 8th team member, Onamica. She’s joining as a trainee accountant. It comes only 4 months our 7th team member joined. 🚀🚀

Happy Diwali to our colleagues and friends in India and across the world 🌎🩵💙💛🩷 ❤️

Innovation in health tech is booming, but securing the right funding can be a game changer. Our latest blog post explores how tech start-ups can maximize Innovate UK grants for accelerated growth and impact.

Have you navigated these grants before?

What advice would you share?

HELPING HEALTH TECH AND TECH START-UPS MAKE THE MOST OF INNOVATE UK GRANTS At Sadler Advisory, we’re passionate about supporting innovative businesses in the health tech and technology start-up space. Many of these companies are driving forward new ideas with the support of Innovate UK grants and loans. Securing this funding is a big milestone, but ensuring the money is ...

Big changes ahead for UK company directors 👇

All directors will be required to verify their identity this Autumn

The Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 is set to shake up compliance and reporting requirements.

Read more and find out the dates that matter via our latest blog 👇

https://www.sadleradvisory.com/post/the-economic-crime-and-corporate-transparency-act-2023-what-uk-company-directors-need-to-know

Many of our clients are working hard to grow their careers and support their families. With career success often comes more responsibility and a bigger tax bill.

If you’re juggling parenting and a busy work life, sorting out your finances can feel like just one more thing on the list. That’s where Sadler Advisory comes in, we’re here to make the tax side of life easier.

A question we often hear is, “Are there any tax perks to being married or in a civil partnership?” Beyond the personal reasons for tying the knot, it’s natural to wonder if there’s a financial upside.

TIPS FOR MARRIED COUPLE TAX PLANNING IN THE UK One area that regularly comes up in conversation is the financial benefit of getting married or entering into a civil partnership. Beyond the emotional and social reasons for tying the knot, many couples ask, ‘’is there a tax advantage to being married?’’. And, more cynically, is it worth it...

WHY IT CAN PAY TO FILE YOUR SELF ASSESSMENT EARLY

If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to file your Self Assessment tax return before the January deadline, the answer is a simple, yes, you can. And in most cases, you absolutely should.

Filing your Self Assessment early can save you time, reduce stress, and even save you money. Here are some of the most valuable benefits.

YOU’LL GET ANY TAX REFUND SOONER

If you’re due a refund, there’s no need to wait. As soon as your return is submitted and processed, HMRC will release any overpaid tax. The earlier you file, the sooner the money lands in your account.

YOU’LL KNOW WHAT YOU OWE, WITH TIME TO PLAN

If you do have tax to pay, filing early doesn’t mean paying early. You can still wait until the usual deadline (31 January 2026), but you’ll have more time to plan and budget. It’s far better to know your position now than to scramble around at the last minute.

IT OFTEN HELPS WITH MORTGAGE OR RENTAL APPLICATIONS

Whether you're renting or buying, lenders and letting agents often ask for a copy of your most recent tax return. Having it ready in advance puts you in a stronger position and removes one more item from your list during an already stressful time.

IT CLEARS MENTAL SPACE

Filing early means one less thing hanging over you. With your tax return out of the way, you can focus on running your business, planning ahead, or simply enjoying a quieter end to the year.

READY TO FILE EARLY?

If you'd like to get ahead this year, we're here to make the process easy and better yet, using an accountancy firm to not only save you money through correct filings, but also provide advice on how to be tax efficient going forward. And as an added bonus, it's tax deductible. So get in touch with the team at Sadler Advisory and we’ll help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.

Planning for your future is a crucial, yet often overlooked, part of achieving financial wellbeing.

Whether your goal is a comfortable retirement, leaving a lasting legacy, or reducing the inheritance tax burden on your loved ones, pension and estate planning are closely connected.

In this article, we outline key principles, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and share strategies for enhancing the tax efficiency of your planning.

If you’re seeking clear, expert guidance on your pension, we’re here to help.

WHY PENSION AND ESTATE PLANNING MATTER

Your pension is your main resource for funding retirement, while your estate plan determines how your assets are managed and distributed. Both are essential for protecting your family’s financial future and ensuring your wishes are honoured.

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. Even with a modest pension or a family home, thoughtful planning can:

- Minimise the tax your loved ones may owe
- Make the transfer of wealth smoother
- Provide peace of mind that everything is in order

Taking action early gives you more choices and helps your family avoid unnecessary legal or tax complications down the line.

Learn more:

MAKING PENSION PLANNING AND ESTATE PLANNING MORE EFFICIENT IN THE UK Planning for your future is one of the most important, and too often overlooked, aspects of financial wellbeing.

Significant changes are coming for some sole traders (self-employed individuals) and buy-to-let property owners. Starting 6 April 2026, HMRC will begin introducing Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT), a new system for maintaining business records and reporting income and expenses.

While this may seem like additional admin, the right software and guidance can actually make managing your finances more straightforward and organised. In this article, we outline what’s changing, when it will affect you, and how you can prepare, along with how our support can help make the transition to MTD stress-free.

UPCOMING CHANGES FOR SELF EMPLOYED: HMRC'S MAKING TAX DIGITAL FOR INCOME TAX (MTD IT) MTD IT is HMRC’s new system for reporting income tax. If you’re self-employed or earn income from property, you’ll need to keep digital business records and send updates to HMRC through MTD-compliant accounting software.

🚨 JOB POST 🚨

☀️ The Sadler Ledger – Summer Edition ☀️

Our July newsletter may have taken a “summer holiday” 😄 but we’re back with a packed update:

👋 Welcome to the team, Swathi Bollineni – helping transform numbers into meaningful insights.
📑 Director & PSC ID checks – new Companies House rules mean action before 18 November 2025.
💻 MTD IT – if you’re a sole trader and haven’t heard from us, get in touch!
💳 Apron Cards – we’ve been trialling these new employee expense cards and love how they streamline approvals and receipt capture.
☕ Client stories – saffron teas from Krocus & Co. and mindful matcha moments from Romi Matcha.
🧾 Self Assessment – January will be here before you know it. Don’t leave it too late!

Have a read of the full Sadler Ledger Newsletter here: https://www.sadleradvisory.com/post/the-sadler-ledger-summer-edition-mtd-it-apron-cards-and-matcha-moments

Until then, keep cool with a brew (hot or iced!) – and let us take care of the numbers.

Our dedicated payroll services mean our clients get the best attention and care. In July we’ve just onboarded a client with 20 employees. Client signed it off, very happy. 😃