I am not a social media butterfly and don’t like sharing my life with the world, but this month I want to share something that I have never done before, that made me very proud. I took our 3 kids mountain biking (the blue path so nothing fancy) in the Glenlivet estate in the Highlands, Scotland.

If you know me, you will appreciate how out of my comfort zone that was. And I loved it. That made me think of how important it is to do things that are out of our comfort zone. It makes you see the world differently and appreciate things we take for granted.

It inspired me so much that in May, a few friends are going for a surfing lesson. Now before my South African friends and clients get all excited, the waves in Dunbar, Scotland are not exactly big. But it is still a wave, and to be fair, the water is freezing, so if you can get into that sea and spend 2 hours trying to surf, you have achieved something. Maybe frostbite 😊 I hear you screaming 😊

So, what will you do that is out of your comfort zone?

Industry News

HMRC is starting to assess and contact taxpayers who have over claimed on the Self-assessment support grant; see the ICAEW blog regarding this.
Since April 2019, VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) have needed to keep VAT records digitally and send returns using Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible software. From April 2022, these requirements apply to all VAT registered businesses
The national minimum wage has increased to £9.50 per hour.
Remember also that the national insurance rates have increased from April 2022.
I am sure you have heard of Basic Period Reform that will be implemented for tax years from 2024-2025. This only affects sole traders businesses (From HMRC website - will affect self-employed traders, including individuals with a profession or vocation; partners in trading partnerships; other unincorporated entities with trading income, such as trading trusts and estates and non-resident companies with trading income charged to Income Tax) who have a financial year end other than 31st of March or 5 April
Dividend tax rates are also increasing.