Beavis Morgan LLP

Is acquisition truly a driver of growth, or simply a reflection of what already exists within a business?

One of the biggest misconceptions in M&A is that acquisition creates growth. In reality, acquisition amplifies what is already there. Businesses with a clear strategy tend to create value through acquisition. Those without one often inherit complexity.

As capital becomes more selective and deal assumptions face greater scrutiny, strategic alignment has never been more important. The question is not whether a target looks attractive, but whether it moves the business closer to its long-term objectives.

Paul Ashton explores the role advisers should play in helping clients answer that question before a deal is done.

Read more here: https://www.beavismorgan.com/choosing-the-right-acquisition-strategy/

Recent reforms to the UK's R&D tax regime have led many businesses to reassess whether claiming relief still delivers meaningful value.

Changes to the SME and RDEC schemes, increased compliance requirements and greater HMRC scrutiny mean the landscape is more complex than in previous years. For some companies, the benefit has reduced. For others, the incentive remains significant when claims are prepared robustly and aligned with the revised rules.

Determining whether a claim is worthwhile now depends on understanding how the updated regime affects your specific activities and ensuring the supporting detail meets HMRC's expectations.

Learn more about how the merged scheme operates, what HMRC now expects in supporting documentation and more here: https://www.beavismorgan.com/is-rd-tax-relief-still-worth-claiming/

HMRC's recent mileage rate changes are prompting payroll teams to take a closer look at business travel and reimbursement policies.

While the update may appear administrative, it raises wider questions around payroll processes employee expectations and cost management. For employers with mobile teams, even small rate adjustments can have operational and financial implications.

Organisations now face decisions around whether to align with HMRC's approved rates, how policies are communicated and whether existing payroll and expenses systems remain fit for purpose.

In our latest article, Alex Nicholl explores the practical considerations for employers and why this may be the right moment to review wider travel and payroll processes.

Read more here:
https://bmconnect.co.uk/hmrc-mileage-rate-changes/

Many businesses carrying out technical development could be entitled to claim R&D tax relief.

Companies developing new or improved products, processes or systems may be eligible, even where a project has not been commercially successful. To qualify, the work must seek to achieve an advance in science or technology and involve overcoming technical uncertainty.

The rules differ depending on company size and specific circumstances, and eligibility can be affected by factors such as funding arrangements and contractual responsibilities. A clear understanding of HMRC's criteria is essential before preparing a claim.

Our latest article outlines the key points businesses should consider when assessing eligibility and the practical steps to take.

Read more here: https://www.beavismorgan.com/rd-tax-relief-eligibility/

Want to know whether your business may be eligible? Contact Director, Rebecca Heap, or your usual Beavis Morgan adviser.

HMRC has updated its mileage and fuel allowance guidance, creating new considerations for both employers and employees around business travel, reimbursement policies and tax relief claims.

While mileage allowances are often viewed as an administrative issue, the latest changes may have wider operational and financial implications for businesses with employees who regularly travel for work.

Our latest article explores:

• what the updated HMRC guidance means in practice
• the decisions employers may now need to make
• how employees could still claim tax relief
• why businesses should review travel and expenses policies now

Read the full article here: https://www.beavismorgan.com/hmrc-updates-mileage-and-fuel-rates/

HMRC has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5% on certain children's meals, tickets and family attractions from 25 June to 1 September 2026.

The changes will affect a wide range of hospitality, leisure and attractions businesses over the summer period, but the rules are more nuanced than they may first appear.

Questions around qualifying supplies, family tickets, advance bookings, bundled pricing and VAT accounting treatment mean businesses should review the detail carefully rather than assume all family-focused activity automatically qualifies.

Neal Groves, Tax Partner at Beavis Morgan, explores what the temporary VAT reduction means in practice, the potential challenges for businesses and the key areas organisations should now be considering.

Read the full article here on our bio.

HMRC has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5% on certain children's meals, tickets and family attractions from 25 June to 1 September 2026.

The changes will affect a wide range of hospitality, leisure and attractions businesses over the summer period, but the rules are more nuanced than they may first appear.

Questions around qualifying supplies, family tickets, advance bookings, bundled pricing and VAT accounting treatment mean businesses should review the detail carefully rather than assume all family-focused activity automatically qualifies.

Neal Groves, Tax Partner at Beavis Morgan, explores what the temporary VAT reduction means in practice, the potential challenges for businesses and the key areas organisations should now be considering.

Read the full article here: https://www.beavismorgan.com/temporary-vat-reduction-childrens-meals-family-attractions/

This weekend, Ollie Jackson heads to Snetterton for another thrilling round of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

With sunny skies set for the weekend, it's the perfect backdrop for what promises to be an exciting few days of racing.

Beavis Morgan is proud to support Ollie as he takes on one of the UK's fastest circuits.

Best of luck, Ollie. We'll be cheering you on all the way!

HMRC's new sanctionable conduct rules are now in force.

From 1 April 2026, HMRC has gained significant new powers to penalise advisers it believes have facilitated tax loss. The objective is clear. Tackle deliberate avoidance.

The concern is how widely the legislation is drafted and whether mainstream advisers providing legitimate tax advice could be drawn into increased scrutiny.

Penalties can be substantial, file access powers are broad and the reputational impact of being publicly named could be severe. For many firms, this raises questions around documentation, governance and risk management.

In our latest article, Tim Shaw explores what the new rules mean in practice and why the profession is watching closely.

Read more here:
https://www.beavismorgan.com/insights/hmrc-sanctionable-conduct-rules

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥&𝗗 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳.

With the UK regime now operating under a single scheme and tighter compliance requirements, well structured and clearly evidenced claims are more important than ever. Practices that focus on genuine technical uncertainty in areas such as building physics sustainability materials and fire safety are well placed to secure meaningful support.

You can read our latest article outlining ten practical steps to help architects claim with confidence here:
https://www.beavismorgan.com/research-and-development-tax-relief