For all new tenancies, it’s mandatory to give your tenant a written statement of terms in some form. This can be included in your tenancy agreement or given as a standalone document.

Here’s what needs to be in a written statement of terms and why you might need to give one to your tenant before 31 May 2026. 

What is a written statement of terms?

Under the new Renters’ Rights Act, the written statement of terms is a mandatory, standardised document that outlines the core conditions of an assured periodic tenancy.

It doesn’t replace your actual tenancy agreement but it’s designed to sit alongside it. Its purpose is to make sure tenants are given a clear summary of their fundamental rights and responsibilities upfront before any contract is signed or the tenancy begins.

You can even make this a section in your tenancy agreement to reduce the amount of documentation you share. 

Is the written statement of terms related to the information sheet?

It’s easy to get these documents confused. Both share the exact same goal – to make sure tenants clearly understand their rights, protections, and obligations under the new rules.

However, it’s one or the other, never both. The documents are designed to be used in completely different scenarios:

• written statement of terms – used to establish the rules from scratch. It’s for new tenants (starting on or after 1 May 2026) or existing tenants who only have a verbal agreement
• the information sheet – an explainer that’s specifically for existing tenants who already signed a written contract before 1 May. It acts as a bridge to explain how the new Act legally modifies their current agreement

How the written statement of terms works for new tenancies

If you’ve found a new tenant, you’re legally required to provide the written statement of terms before the tenancy agreement is signed or the tenancy begins.

You can include all of the information for the written statement of terms directly within the contract itself, instead of issuing two separate documents.

How the written statement of terms works for existing tenancies 

If your tenants have been in your property since before the 1 May rollout, you have a strict deadline of 31 May 2026 to provide them with the correct documentation. What you need to do depends on your current setup:

• for existing written agreements – you don’t need to draft a new written statement of terms. Instead, you must provide your tenants with a copy of the government-produced information sheet. This must be the exact PDF provided by the government, and you must send it (either printed out or digitally as an attachment) to every named tenant
• for verbal agreements (unwritten tenancies) – you must provide the full written statement of terms outlining the key conditions of their tenancy. They don’t need the information sheet as your written terms will cover their new rights 

More guides for buy-to-let landlords

• Air source heat pump grant: how landlords can get funding
• Landlord responsibilities – a guide to property maintenance and repair
• Are landlords responsible for pest control in rental properties?
• How to get a buy-to-let mortgage: a simple guide

The post Renters’ Rights Act: do landlords need to provide a written statement of terms? appeared first on Simply Business UK.

So what’s the potential impact of a rent freeze on landlords and the rental market? And what lessons can we learn from cities that have brought in similar measures to stop rents from rising?

Why was a rent freeze in England being considered? 

The main reason the government is looking at a rent freeze is to protect people from a sudden jump in living costs.

Because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the price of oil, energy, and everyday goods has risen around the world. Economists are warning the UK will be hit hard by this new wave of inflation, and ministers are concerned about families struggling to pay their bills.

The Chancellor was looking for quick ways to shield households from these sudden price shocks – and considered a rent freeze to stop costs mounting. 

Renters’ campaign groups estimate that stopping rent increases for just one year could save the average household around £324.

How have rent freezes worked in the other countries?

The main problem with stopping rent increases by law is that it disrupts the wider housing market. And in some circumstances, it ends up hurting the very people it’s supposed to protect. 

Here are some examples of city-wide rent freezes and their repercussions:

• Scotland’s emergency rent cap – during the last cost of living crisis, Scotland stopped rents from going up. Because the rules only protected people who already had a tenancy, the rents for new properties on the market shot up. It heavily punished any tenant looking to move
• Berlin’s rent freeze – in 2020, Berlin tried a strict five-year rent freeze. The impact on housing was drastic. While rents for some tenants stayed low, the number of homes actually available to rent dropped by over 50%. Landlords simply stopped renting out their properties and sold them to buyers instead – causing the rental supply to drop significantly 
• Stockholm’s long-term rent controls – Stockholm has had strict rent controls for years, designed to keep housing more affordable for everyone. But because landlords can’t make enough money to cover costs, there’s a massive housing shortage. If you want a rent-controlled apartment in the city, the average waiting list is over nine years long. 

All of these examples show that freezing rents might make monthly costs lower in theory, but that doesn’t help anyone if there are no actual homes left to rent.

How would a rent freeze work in England?

A rent freeze is a strict legal ban on raising rents for a set amount of time. It was reported that private landlords across England wouldn’t be allowed to increase their tenants’ rent for one full year.  

What would a rent freeze mean for landlords? 

A blanket rent freeze means a landlord’s income is capped exactly as global inflation drives up their own costs. Mortgages remain expensive and the everyday cost of simple repairs and property maintenance could increase too.

And with the measures from the Renters’ Rights Act coming into effect, there are already several new rent controls that landlords are having to adjust to.  

So a sudden rent freeze, as the National Residential Landlord Association warned, would cause panic among landlords. 

The fear is that if landlords start losing money every month because their costs are higher than the rent they collect, they’ll simply sell their properties and leave the market entirely.

More guides for buy-to-let landlords

• Air source heat pump grant: how landlords can get funding
• Landlord responsibilities – a guide to property maintenance and repair
• Are landlords responsible for pest control in rental properties?
• How to get a buy-to-let mortgage: a simple guide

The post What would a rent freeze mean for landlords? appeared first on Simply Business UK.

But turning your skills into a profitable business takes time and dedication. You need to understand the market, get the right training, and learn how to manage your finances.

To help you get started, we spoke with Petar Agbaba, Director at the Christine Blundell Makeup Academy, a renowned UK makeup academy specialising in film, TV, SFX, and professional makeup training. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to become a makeup artist, featuring expert insights to help you succeed.

What does a makeup artist do? 

A makeup artist uses cosmetics and artistic skills to enhance someone’s natural features or change how they look completely. They often work on a self-employed basis, travelling to different locations for their jobs.

Many makeup artists work at weddings and special events. Others find work on modelling shoots, theatre productions, and television shows.

If you work in film or TV, you might even use special effects techniques. This could involve making an actor look much older, or creating realistic injuries for an action scene.

How to become a makeup artist in 5 steps

Starting a new business can feel overwhelming. But if you break it down into manageable steps, you can set yourself up for success from day one.

1. Get the right training and qualifications

You don’t strictly need a degree to become a makeup artist. But formal training will give you a massive advantage when you start looking for work.

Petar said: “Formal training isn’t required, but work will be a challenge without it. Yes, there’s YouTube and TikTok to learn certain looks – but it’s not just about learning makeup looks. You need to understand the materials you’re using, particularly special effects, wigs, and facial hair.”

When choosing a course, Petar suggests looking closely at the teachers to see their specific experience. Make sure you ask where their previous graduates have ended up working, and what kind of support they offer after the course ends. You could look into university degrees, Level 3 diplomas, or even an apprenticeship to learn on the job.

London offers the UK’s biggest selection of makeup schools and beauty academies. Some makeup schools in London to consider include the:

2. Write a business plan

Because makeup artists can take on a wide range of jobs, it helps to specialise in one area. Do you want to focus on bridal makeup, or are you more interested in fashion editorials? Writing a business plan will help you figure this out.

A solid plan helps you identify your target market, understand your competitors, and set clear goals. It’ll also help you work out your initial costs and how much you need to charge to make a profit.

If you need help managing your money, you can read our guide on how to budget. Taking control of your cash flow early on is a vital step for any new business.

3. Register as self-employed

Once you start finding work, you need to tell HMRC that you’re running a business. Most freelance makeup artists set up as a sole trader because it is quick and easy to do.

You need to register as self-employed to make sure you pay the right amount of tax. You’ll then need to complete an annual tax return and pay income tax on your profits.

It’s important to keep track of your income and expenses throughout the year. If you want to learn more about key dates and filing, check out our Self Assessment deadline guide.

5. Build your portfolio and find customers

Getting regular work is often the biggest challenge for new makeup artists. You need to build a portfolio to show potential customers what you can do.

Petar says: “Slowly create a social media presence and build a portfolio. These don’t  need to be state-of-the-art websites or huge portfolios, but simple pictures with some wording. Keep your kit simple, there’s no need to spend lots of money at the start.”

You could offer your services to friends, collaborate with local photographers, or work as an assistant to an experienced artist. As you complete more jobs, word-of-mouth recommendations will help your business grow.

Look at how you can make money on TikTok or get followers on Instagram for some inspiration.

The future of the makeup industry

The beauty industry is always changing. According to Petar, the next five years will see the industry become more hybrid, specialised, and content-driven.

Technology and social media have made the industry faster and more interactive. But Petar believes that human artistry will only become more valuable as artificial intelligence grows.

Petar said: “The opportunity isn’t to compete with AI on speed, but to offer taste, interpretation, reassurance, and results on real faces. Artists who are adaptable, excellent with people, and genuinely good across different faces and formats should have more opportunities than artists who rely only on trends.”

Makeup artist FAQs

What are the biggest challenges when starting out as a makeup artist?

One of the biggest challenges makeup artists face includes building a steady stream of work, which can take time. Petar describes starting out as a long endurance race rather than a sprint. He suggests focusing on building a network of contacts and learning from your mistakes without feeling discouraged.

How much does a makeup artist make?

Your earnings will depend on your experience, your location, and the type of work you do. Freelancers set their own rates, so it pays to research what other artists charge in your area. As you gain more experience and build a strong reputation, you can increase your prices.

But according to Indeed, the average base salary for a makeup artist in London is £18.46.

Do I need to buy an expensive makeup kit right away?

No, you don’t need to spend thousands of pounds immediately. Focus on getting high-quality basics that work for a variety of skin tones and types. You can gradually add more specialised products to your kit as you start booking more jobs and earning money.

More guides for budding makeup artists

• How to find clients
• How to start a business in 9 steps
• Product photography for small businesses – how to take better photos
• How to advertise your business – the ultimate marketing guide

The post How to become a freelance makeup artist – tips from a professional appeared first on Simply Business UK.

Royal Mail released the latest stamp prices from 7 April and the cost of a first class stamp is now £1.80 – a 10p increase on the previous price. And with fresh analysis finding the price has risen 136% since 2020, business owners may be left wondering how high postage can get before they need to rethink their model. 

How much will postage cost in 2026? 

The current prices for sending a letter and parcel are on the Royal Mail website. Here’s what prices start at, as of April 2026: 

• First class stamps: £1.80
• Second class stamps: £0.91
• First class parcels: £5.15
• Second class parcels: £3.95

Some businesses save money by using a franking machine, which lowers the price per stamp. You can also reduce costs by having a business account with Royal Mail, whether you need to send one off parcels or more regularly.  

1st class stamps could cost £7 by 2035

New research estimates that a first class postage stamp could cost £7 by 2035, based on the rate of increase over the past nine years. 

Sticker experts at Quote My Wall tracked Royal Mail price rises from every year since 2020, calculated the average annual rate of increase, and used that to project a price in 2035.* 

First class stamps cost 76p in 2020 and are £1.80 today – a rise of 136% in six years across eight separate price increases. 

Second class stamps have also risen, though more slowly – from 65p in 2020 to 91p today, a rise of 40% over the same period.

‘People’s delivery expectations are higher’ 

Owner of independent online shop Soap Folk, Fiona McBryde, reveals that rising postage costs have meant she’s had to raise the minimum purchase value required for customers to access free delivery.

She says: “We’re reviewing the entire postage strategy and looking at different providers to find a deal.”

It’s not just impacting strategic pricing decisions, the high costs are having a knock-on effect on the packaging they choose for Soap Folk products and consumer behaviour. 

With higher prices, customers are expecting more, Fiona explains. “They buy second class and expect first class service, or buy first class and expect tracked service.”

Fiona told us how Soap Folk has had to review packaging for the wholesale side of the business too: “We’re looking for cheaper solutions and making everything as small as possible.”

How can you adapt your online business? 

If your small business relies on postage, whether for sending contracts or shipping goods from your online shop, then stamp price rises can directly affect your bottom line. 

Yet putting up prices can feel difficult for many reasons. We know from research that small businesses are often choosing between absorbing costs or risking losing customers. A Simply Business survey earlier in 2026 found 82% of small businesses say they’ve seen operating costs rise in the past 12 months, yet only 12% are increasing their prices for customers. 

Protect your profits 

In a time where high street businesses are struggling to survive, online businesses are faced with their own cost pressures too. That’s why it’s vital to have a plan that builds your business’s financial resilience, helping you protect profits despite costs rising around you. 

Our finance guides could help you work out the health of your business 

• How to work out profit margin – profit margin calculator
• How to price a product 
• ‘How I secured £25,000 for my business’: 7 business grants for women

To see how these extra pennies per parcel affect your bottom line, use this guide to calculating your break-even point.

*To arrive at the 2035 figures, Quote My Wall took the official Royal Mail price of each stamp in 2020 and in April 2026 and calculated the compound annual growth rate for each — that is, the average percentage by which the price increased each year across those six years. For first class stamps that works out at approximately 15.5% per year. Applied to today’s price of £1.80, and projected forward nine years to 2035, that produces an estimated price of £6.69. For second class stamps the annual rate was approximately 5.8%, producing an estimated price of £1.51 by 2035. Both figures are projections based on the historical rate of increase and are not a forecast of what Royal Mail will charge.

The post Will stamp price rises push small businesses to rethink strategy? appeared first on Simply Business UK.

If you work in the construction industry, it’s important to understand how these updates will impact your day-to-day operations. Staying on top of government policy changes helps you keep your business compliant and avoid unexpected fines.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the changes and how you can prepare.

What’s changing with the CIS in April 2026?

The biggest change is the return of mandatory monthly CIS returns. From April 2026, contractors must submit a return every month, even if they haven’t paid any subcontractors. These are known as ‘nil returns’.

You’ll need to either:

• file a monthly nil return, or
• tell HMRC in advance if you plan to have a month with no subcontractor payments

This rule was originally removed in 2015 to cut down on admin work. But many businesses failed to keep HMRC updated, which led to a high number of penalty appeals.

You’ll need to send your monthly returns to HMRC by the 19th of every month, following the last tax month.

Another big update impacts public sector contracts. From 6 April 2026, payments made to local authorities and certain public sector bodies will be completely exempt from the CIS.

This removes the need for unnecessary CIS deductions and reporting when working on these specific public sector contracts.

Update: new penalty framework

Because monthly nil returns are becoming mandatory again, HMRC is bringing back the full CIS late filing penalty regime. This is to make sure businesses follow the rules and to reduce the number of prolonged penalty appeals.

If you miss a deadline, the penalty framework will look like this:

For any returns later than this, you could get an additional penalty of up to £3,000, or 100% of the CIS deductions on the return, whichever is higher.

Read more: What is an HMRC tax investigation?

Small business guides and resources

• How to register as self-employed with HMRC
• Which trade earns the most – and where?
• Making Tax Digital for business income tax
• HMRC penalties for late tax returns and late payment

The post Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) changes for April 2026 appeared first on Simply Business UK.

With so many things changing, it can be easy to not understand what your responsibilities are as a landlord come the end of the month. Here are five things you need to do before the 31 May in order to stay compliant. 

1. Distribute the official information sheet

If you have tenants on an Assured Tenancy or Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) that was created before 1 May 2026, and you have a written agreement in place, you are legally required to provide them with the new government Renters’ Rights Act information sheet 2026.

• provide it in the correct format – it must be given as a hard copy (handed over in person or sent by post) or as a direct digital attachment, like a PDF via email. Simply sending a web link to the GOV.UK page is not legally sufficient
• include all tenants – every named tenant on the tenancy agreement must receive their own copy

This must be done by the 31 May 2026.

2. Formalise verbal agreements with written terms

Not all tenancies have a formal written contract. If you have an existing tenancy based on a verbal agreement made before 1 May 2026, the standard Information Sheet process doesn’t apply to you in the same way.

Instead, the Act requires you to provide these tenants with a written summary outlining the key terms of their tenancy. This document must clearly state the agreed-upon rules, rent, and responsibilities, and it must be supplied to the tenant on or before the 31 May 2026 deadline.

3. Student landlords: issue your notices

The new rules bring specific changes for the student rental market. If you rent to students and plan to reclaim your property at the end of the current academic year, you need to act before the 31 May.

To rely on the updated Ground 4A (the specific possession ground for student lets), you have until 31 May 2026 to give your current tenants formal written notice, stating that you may require the property back using.

Without this prior notice served by the 31 May deadline, you may face significant hurdles when trying to transition the property to a new group of students for the next academic year.

4. Confirm compliance with your letting agent

If you use a letting agent or property management company, do not assume they have automatically handled things for you.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, the legal and financial liability ultimately rests on you, the landlord. If your agent misses the deadline, it’s you who’s at fault.

Before 31 May, you should contact your agent and ask a few important questions:

• do they have clear evidence to prove compliance if your local authority investigates?
• have they distributed the Information Sheet to every named tenant across your portfolio?
• did they provide it as a hard copy or PDF attachment, rather than just a link?
• if you have any verbal tenancies, have they drafted and sent the written terms?
• if you are a student landlord, have they served the Ground 4A notices?

More guides for buy-to-let landlords

• Landlord responsibilities – a guide to property maintenance and repair
• Are landlords responsible for pest control in rental properties?
• How to get a buy-to-let mortgage: a simple guide
• Air source heat pump grant: how landlords can get funding

The post Everything landlords need to do before 31 May appeared first on Simply Business UK.

If you work through an umbrella company, this legislation affects you directly. And if you operate outside IR35, you might also see a shift in the market.

We explain what’s changing, how it impacts your daily work, and what you can do to prepare for the new rules.

JSL: what’s changing?

Joint and several liability (JSL) become Chapter 11 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 200 from 6 April 2026. This means that the responsibility for unpaid taxes is shifting.

If an umbrella company fails to pay the right amount of income tax or National Insurance, HMRC can now recover that money from the recruitment agency or the end client.

Before this, the liability usually stopped at the umbrella company itself. But non-compliant companies would sometimes build up debt and close down before HMRC could collect it.

Now, every party in the labour supply chain shares the risk. And importantly, as there’s no reasonable care defence, an agency can still be fully liable even if they do thorough compliance checks.

HMRC have added guidance on how these rules affect labour supply chains on the UK government website.

What is JSL?

Joint and several liability means that HMRC can pursue any party in the supply chain for 100% of an unpaid tax bill.

The government introduced this to crack down on tax avoidance in the umbrella sector. By putting agencies and end clients on the hook, HMRC hopes to raise compliance standards across the board.

This means agencies are now incredibly careful about which umbrella companies they work with.

What this means for contractors

For the most part, JSL gives contractors better protection against non-compliant umbrella companies. Because HMRC will target the agency or client for unpaid taxes, you’re less likely to face a surprise tax bill yourself.

But this extra security comes with a few practical challenges. Agencies could heavily restrict their preferred supplier lists, meaning you might have fewer umbrella companies to choose from.

If your current umbrella company doesn’t meet an agency’s new standards, you might have to switch providers. This can lead to messy tax codes or issues with your accrued holiday pay.

Frequently asked questions about JSL

Who is liable under the new JSL legislation?

HMRC can pursue both recruitment agencies and end clients for unpaid income tax and National Insurance. If an umbrella company fails to pay, any business in the chain can face the full bill.

Will agencies stop using umbrella companies?

Most agencies will continue to use them, but they could drastically reduce how many they work with. They’ll likely only partner with providers that pass strict, continuous compliance audits.

Remember that tax is a complex subject, so it’s always best to seek professional advice if you’re not sure of anything.

More guides for contractors

• How to set a freelance hourly rate: what hourly rate should I charge?
• What is IR35? A guide for the self-employed
• Predictions for freelancers: 6 things to expect in 2026
• Small business tax changes: new thresholds, rates, and allowances

The post JSL reform is here – what IR35 contractors need to know appeared first on Simply Business UK.

A recent study by HMRC found that 59% of small and medium-sized businesses claim to be familiar with e-invoicing – but not many are using it. In fact, many business owners confuse it with sending a standard PDF in an email.

We explain exactly what e-invoicing is, what the new rules mean, and how you can prepare your business for 2029.

• what is an e-invoice?
• what’s changing for your business?
• 3 steps you can take to prepare your business

The reality of e-invoicing for small businesses

Even though 2029 sounds far away, the shift towards digital tax and invoicing is already happening. Yet adoption remains incredibly low among small businesses. Only 15% of SMEs currently send e-invoices, and just 24% receive them.

Instead, most owners stick to what they know. A massive 95% of small businesses still use PDFs or emails to send their invoices. And paper invoicing remains surprisingly common, with 78% of businesses still receiving physical invoices.

The government will publish a clear roadmap before the rollout, but it pays to understand the basics right now.

15%

of small business owners use e-invoicing

95%

still use PDFs and emails instead of e-invoices

What’s changing for your business?

From April 2029, the government will require you to issue e-invoices for all business-to-business and business-to-government transactions where VAT is due. If you only sell directly to consumers, these transactions will fall outside the scope of the new rules.

This change is a major part of a broader plan to modernise the UK tax system, alongside other digital initiatives to reduce paperwork and help prevent tax fraud.

Because it requires a shift to fully integrated digital systems, this isn’t just a minor compliance update. You’ll need software that can send and receive these structured files.

3 steps you can take to prepare your business

While you have a few years before the rules take effect, early preparation can save you a lot of stress down the line. Here are 3 steps to help you prepare:

1. Review how you currently send and receive invoices – if you rely heavily on paper or PDFs, it’s time to look at digital alternatives.
2. Talk to your accountant or check your current accounting software – major providers are already heavily involved in a government consultation and will likely offer built-in e-invoicing features soon.
3. Keep an eye out for the government’s implementation roadmap – staying informed can help you make the right software choices, avoid future penalties, and keep your business running smoothly.

More changes small business owners should know

• Employment Rights Act: 5 big changes to employment law
• New tax laws for businesses in 2026 – and Self Assessment shake-up
• Companies House changes for 2026
• Making Tax Digital is live – vital next steps for the self-employed

The post Mandatory e-invoicing starts in 2029: what you need to do first appeared first on Simply Business UK.

If you’re feeling unsure about what this means in practice, you’re not alone. Moving from a once-a-year Self Assessment to more regular digital reporting is a big change but once you understand what’s required, it becomes far more manageable.

Here, Mike Parkes from !Coconut and GoSimple Tax explains what you should have done already, what happens next, and what to do if something goes wrong.

3 things you should have done already

Now that MTD is live, there are a few key steps you should already have in place.

1. Registering with HMRC

If your income meets the MTD threshold, you should have signed up through HMRC.

From April 2026, MTD for Income Tax applies to individuals with gross incomeover £50,000 from self-employment and/or property. Those earning over £30,000 are expected to follow from April 2027.

MTD doesn’t apply automatically, so you must register before you can start submitting updates. However you may get a letter from HMRC if the tax body thinks it will apply to you. 

2. Choosing compatible software

Under MTD rules, keeping manual records (like spreadsheets alone) is no longer enough unless they’re linked to compatible software.

You’ll need a digital solution that can:

• record income and expenses 
• submit updates directly to HMRC 
• maintain digital links between records 

The key requirement is that your records are fully digital and transferable without manual re-entry.

3. Starting to keep digital records

You should now be recording your business income and expenses digitally, in real time or as close to it as possible.

This includes:

• sales or income received 
• business expenses 
• dates and details for each transaction 

The goal is simple: keep everything accurate and up to date throughout the year, rather than scrambling at the end.

What happens next?

Once you’re set up, the focus shifts to maintaining your records and submitting quarterly updates.

Keeping your records organised

You’ll still need to categorise your income and expenses within your software to keep your records accurate and useful.

However, it’s important to understand that HMRC does not see this level of detail in your quarterly updates.

Categorisation helps you:

• keep accurate totals 
• stay organised 
• make end-of-year adjustments easier 

But HMRC only receives summary figures, not a breakdown of individual categories or transactions.

Submitting your first quarterly update

Under MTD, instead of submitting one annual tax return, you’ll send updates every quarter (every three months).

Each update includes:

• total income for the period 
• total expenses for the period 

It’s not a final tax calculation, just a snapshot of your position at that point in the year.

What HMRC will see (and what it won’t)

Understanding what’s shared with HMRC can help ease concerns.

HMRC will see:

• total income for the quarter 
• total expenses for the quarter 

HMRC won’t see:

• individual transactions 
• expense categories 
• receipts or invoices 

What happens at the end of the year?

Quarterly updates don’t replace the need to finalise your tax position.

At the end of the tax year, you’ll complete a final declaration, where you:

• confirm your total income 
• make any accounting or tax adjustments 
• include other income sources 

For those within MTD from April 2026, the deadline for this final declaration will be 31 January 2028.

Don’t forget your 2025-26 tax return

You’ll still need to submit a Self Assessment tax return for the 2025-26 tax year, due by 31 January 2027.

This means there’s a transition period where both systems apply:

• 2025-26 – traditional Self Assessment 
• 2026-27 – first year of MTD reporting 

What happens if you make a mistake?

Mistakes are inevitable, especially when adapting to a new system. Fortunately, MTD is designed to make corrections straightforward.

Fixing errors in your records

If you spot an issue such as missing income or an incorrect expense, you can correct it within your digital records.

There’s no need to resubmit everything or start again.

Do you need to resubmit a quarterly update?

In most cases, you won’t need to resubmit a quarterly update. Instead you’ll just:

• update your records 
• make sure the correction is reflected in your next quarterly submission 

Because updates are cumulative, corrections flow through automatically the next time you submit.

What it means for your tax

Each time you submit a quarterly update, you’ll typically receive an estimated tax position based on the information provided so far.

This estimate:

• gives you visibility of your likely tax bill 
• helps with budgeting throughout the year 
• may change as you update or correct your records 

It’s important to remember that this is only an estimate – your final tax liability is confirmed after your end-of-year declaration.

Staying on track

The biggest shift with MTD is moving from a once-a-year task to a more regular routine.

To stay on top of things:

• keep your records updated regularly (weekly works well) 
• review your income and expenses often 
• set reminders for quarterly deadlines 

By building these habits early, MTD becomes far less overwhelming and much easier to manage.

Guides for the self-employed

• HMRC penalties for Self Assessment
• Don’t forget these tax dates in 2026
• How much should I save for taxes? An accountant’s guide
• Side hustle tax rules – do I pay tax for online selling?

The post Making Tax Digital is live – vital next steps for the self-employed appeared first on Simply Business UK.

Find out how employment law has changed and how you can make sure that you’re following the new legislation. 

1. Sick pay from day one

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is now a day-one right for employees in the UK – meaning you no longer have to wait until an employee’s fourth day of illness to pay them.

And there’s been further tweaking to the earnings threshold for SSP:

• no earnings floor – the lower earnings limit has also been removed. This means part-time or lower-earning staff are now eligible for SSP
• a new rate – for those who earn less than the standard SSP rate, they’re now entitled to either a flat weekly rate or 80% of their normal earnings (whichever is lower)

2. Day one family leave

Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave have moved from being earned benefits to immediate rights:

• no more 26-week wait – new hires can now request paternity leave from their first day on the job
• shorter paternity leave notice – the notice period for paternity leave has been slashed from 15 weeks to 28 days, giving families more flexibility 
• new bereaved partner’s leave – a new protection has been introduced that allows up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave if a mother or primary adopter passes away during a child’s first year

3. Stronger employee protections and whistleblowing protocol 

The Employment Rights Act places a much heavier emphasis on workplace safety and fair treatment. With two key pieces of legislation being introduced on 6 April:

• sexual harassment whistleblowing – reporting sexual harassment is now explicitly categorised as a protected disclosure. Which means it comes under whistleblowing law, protecting them from any form of retaliation or detriment for speaking up
• increased redundancy rights – if a business fails to follow the correct consultation process during collective redundancies, the protective award penalty has doubled from 90 days to 180 days of uncapped pay for each employee

4. The Fair Work Agency 

To make sure these new laws are being followed, there’ll be a dedicated watchdog. 

On 7 April, the Fair Work Agency officially launched. This new body serves as a point of contact for workers to report employment law breaches and has the power to inspect workplaces and issue penalties.

5. Trade union recognition reforms

The trade union recognition process has been significantly streamlined to make representation more accessible. A union only needs to show 10% membership within a workforce group to trigger an application. 

And the requirement for a yes vote to represent at least 40% of the total workforce has been scrapped – in favor of a simple majority of those who actually vote.

Electronic balloting is also being introduced with measures to prevent unit dilution – where employers might hire staff specifically to weaken a union’s percentage of support. 

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