M Zaidi & Co - Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors

Most tenants have no idea this rule exists.

If your landlord lives overseas and there’s no UK letting agent involved, the responsibility for handling certain tax obligations may legally fall on you — not the landlord.

👉 In some cases, tenants are required to deduct tax from rent payments and pay it directly to HMRC.

Miss the deadlines, and HMRC can pursue the tenant personally for:
• Unpaid tax
• Interest
• Penalties

The surprising part?
Many people don’t realise this until it’s already become a problem.

If you’re renting and your landlord is based outside the UK, it’s important to understand where you stand before making your next payment.

At Zaidi & Co, we help clients navigate situations exactly like this.

📞 +44 20 8767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 zaidiandco.co.uk

BREAKING UPDATE for UK business owners 🚨

If you use your personal vehicle for business travel, you can claim mileage at updated HMRC-approved rates:

💷 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles
📉 25p per mile after 10,000 miles

And yes — this applies to all vehicle types, including petrol, diesel, hybrids, and electric vehicles.

That means even if your running costs are lower (like with EVs), HMRC still allows the same standard mileage rate to cover:

🚗 Fuel / electricity
🛠 Maintenance & wear
🛡 Insurance & running costs

💡 For Limited Company directors, this is especially useful — because you can reimburse yourself tax-free from your business for eligible mileage.

But here’s where many people go wrong:

• Not tracking mileage properly
• Missing allowable business journeys
• Not reimbursing themselves correctly through the company

Over time, this can mean leaving significant tax-free money unclaimed.

If you drive for business, this is one of the simplest reliefs to optimise — but only if it’s done correctly.

📞 +44 20 8767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 zaidiandco.co.uk

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From 6 April 2027, unused pension funds are expected to be included in your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

That’s a major shift.

Because up until now, pensions have often been one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass on wealth — sitting outside your estate for IHT purposes.

Once this changes, many estates could look very different from what people originally planned.

If you’ve never reviewed your estate strategy, this is the point where it becomes important.

📞 +44 20 8767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 zaidiandco.co.uk

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is treating tax like a year-end task.

By the time your accounts are being rushed together at the last minute, most of the important decisions have already been made.

Because your tax position is shaped throughout the year by:

• How you structure income
• When expenses are recorded
• Whether profits are planned properly
• How cash flow is managed
• And whether opportunities are identified early enough

When everything is reactive, businesses often:
⚠️ Miss available reliefs
⚠️ Lose tax efficiency
⚠️ Struggle with cash flow
⚠️ End up paying more tax than necessary

That’s the real difference between businesses that simply “file accounts”… and businesses that actively plan.

At Zaidi & Co, we focus on proactive tax planning and real-time financial clarity — helping clients make informed decisions early, not after the damage is done.

From bookkeeping and VAT to strategic tax advisory, everything is designed to keep your business compliant, efficient, and ahead of HMRC requirements.

📞 +44 20 8767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 zaidiandco.co.uk

Selling a property, investment, or business asset?

You could be liable for Capital Gains Tax — and without proper planning, HMRC could take a significant portion of your profit.

CGT may apply to:
✔️ Investment properties
✔️ Shares and investments
✔️ Business assets
✔️ High-value possessions

Many people focus on the sale price… but overlook the tax bill that follows.

At Zaidi & Co, we help individuals and businesses understand their Capital Gains Tax position before they sell — helping them plan ahead, stay compliant, and potentially reduce unnecessary tax costs.

If you’re thinking of selling an asset, getting professional advice early could make a major difference.

📞 0208 767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.zaidiandco.co.uk

Many former directors assume that once a company is dissolved, its records disappear permanently — but that may not be the case.

Companies House is currently reviewing how long records of dissolved companies should be retained, and the planned destruction of some records has now been paused.

At present:
✔️ Company records are generally kept for 20 years after dissolution
✔️ Some records may later be archived or destroyed
✔️ The review could lead to longer retention periods

Why does this matter?

Even if a business closed years ago, its records can still be important for:
• Tax enquiries
• Legal disputes
• Director history checks
• Compliance investigations
• Financial references and business history

This serves as an important reminder that company records and director responsibilities may continue long after a business stops trading.

📞 0208 767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.zaidiandco.co.uk

Most businesses don’t realise they’re already at risk of HMRC penalties…

Corporation Tax Self Assessment is not just a routine filing — it is a strict compliance requirement for all UK limited companies.

Every company must:

File a CT600 Company Tax Return each year
Calculate and pay Corporation Tax accurately
Meet strict HMRC filing and payment deadlines
Maintain correct financial records throughout the year

Missing deadlines or submitting incorrect information can lead to automatic fines, interest charges, and unnecessary scrutiny from HMRC.

The problem? Many businesses underestimate how complex Corporation Tax reporting actually is — especially when expenses, reliefs, and adjustments come into play.

At Zaidi & Co, we ensure your Corporation Tax returns are prepared accurately, submitted on time, and fully compliant with HMRC requirements — giving you peace of mind and avoiding costly penalties.

📞 0208 767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.zaidiandco.co.uk/

Understanding when Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) become payable is essential for staying compliant with HMRC regulations and avoiding unnecessary penalties.

In the UK tax system, most Income Tax is collected either through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) or through the Self Assessment system. For individuals under Self Assessment, tax is typically payable in instalments:

31 January – balancing payment for the previous tax year
31 January – first payment on account
31 July – second payment on account

These instalments are usually based on the previous year’s tax liability.

Capital Gains Tax, on the other hand, is triggered when you dispose of chargeable assets such as property (not your main home in most cases), shares, or investments. Any CGT due must usually be reported and paid within strict HMRC deadlines, depending on the type of asset disposed of.

Both taxes operate on strict timelines, and missing deadlines can lead to interest charges and penalties.

At Zaidi & Co, we help individuals and businesses manage their tax obligations efficiently, ensuring all payments are calculated correctly and submitted on time.

📞 0208 767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.zaidiandco.co.uk/

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is one of the biggest additional costs property buyers face in the UK — yet many people underestimate how much it can affect their budget.

The amount you pay depends on:
✔️ Property value
✔️ Whether you’re a first-time buyer
✔️ Additional property ownership
✔️ Residential or commercial purchase

With changing thresholds and tax rules, understanding your SDLT position before completing a property transaction is essential.

Proper planning can help avoid unexpected costs and ensure you remain fully compliant throughout the purchase process.

Whether you’re buying your first home, investing in property, or expanding your portfolio, professional guidance can make a major difference.

📞 0208 767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.zaidiandco.co.uk

Making Tax Digital is now in effect — but many UK businesses are still unprepared for the HMRC changes introduced from April 2026.

If you’re self-employed or earn rental income, it’s important to understand:
✔️ Whether the new rules apply to you
✔️ Which accounting software you need
✔️ How to remain fully compliant and avoid penalties

Preparing early can save time, reduce stress, and help keep your records accurate and organised.

If you’re unsure where to start, getting professional guidance now can make the transition much smoother.

📞 0208 767 2300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.zaidiandco.co.uk

If you’re a company director, your National Insurance doesn’t always work the same way as a regular employee.

Here’s what most people don’t realise:

Unlike standard payroll, director NI is often calculated on a cumulative annual basis, not just month-to-month earnings.

That means:

⚡ You might hit NI thresholds earlier than expected
⚡ A bonus or irregular payment can trigger higher deductions
⚡ Your take-home pay can change suddenly during the year

There is an alternative method where you’re treated like a regular employee for NI purposes monthly — but HMRC still reconciles everything at year-end.

Now here’s where planning becomes important:

Many directors use a combination of:

💼 Lower salary (to manage NI thresholds)
💰 Dividends (no National Insurance charged)

But dividends don’t reduce corporation tax — so the balance between salary and dividends really matters.

💡 There’s no fixed formula — the “best mix” changes depending on your income and tax rules each year.

If you’re not reviewing this, you could be overpaying without realising it.

📞 Call: +44 20 8767 2300
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: zaidiandco.co.uk