April is Stress Awareness Month.What is Stress? It is perceived as a bad thing but actually, without the ability to experience stress, mankind wouldn't have survived.  Stress releases the hormones that give us the fight or flight mode we use daily.How do we recognise stress? What are the key signs?How does stress affect us? Our cognitive reactions, our physical movements as well as our behaviour and emotions?Coping with stress will differ for each of us, depending on our triggers, but this ..read more

Tax Rates giving you a headache?  Don’t worry if you’re stuck working out your tax rates for the next financial year.   We have put together some simple to follow tax rate cards for guidance.  The cards are based on the Spring Budget announcement delivered by Jeremy Hunt a few weeks ago.If you are looking for any specific Tax Planning advice, why not get in touch with the team ..read more

The Spring Budget, delivered by Jeremy Hunt this week, included several key measures that will affect you and your business. Headlines include:Tax on Savings and Dividend Income:Savings and dividend allowances set at £1,000 and £500, respectively.Reduction in the dividend allowance from £1,000 to £500 in 2024/25.High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC):Thresholds for HICBC increased with a slower rate of clawback.Plans to administer HICBC based on total household income by April 2026.Em ..read more

Are you feeling exasperated and struggling to get your tax return submitted? The tax year end shouldn't feel fretful and so we are going to talk you through how we help our clients make tax returns a breeze ..read more

Capital gains refer to the profits earned from the sale of certain assets, including investment properties(not your main residence), stocks, shares, and the sale of businesses. Capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax imposed on these profits.As of October 2021, there are specific rules for reporting capital gains, especially on the sale of second homes. Gains related to property sales must be declared within 60 days of the sale, and any tax owed must be paid promptly. If gains not related to property ..read more

The Autumn Statement delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on November 22, 2023, included several key headlines and measures:1.            National Insurance Contribution (NIC) Cuts:The main rate of Class 1 NICs for employees earning more than £12,570 a year will be reduced from 12% to 10% starting from January 6, 2024.The Class 1 NIC rate will remain at 2% for earnings above £50,270 a year.Self-employed individuals will experience a cut in ..read more

BusinessAs your business grows, it is likely the cash you hold in your company bank account(s) will grow too.Any cash deposited with a bank or building society authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, benefits from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS was set up by Government, to offer some protection when financial firms fail.What is the compensation limit?The compensation limit is £85,000 per bank or building society. If you have money in multiple accounts wit ..read more

Everyone is affected by cancer in some way, sadly.  I was too. Can you imagine your beautiful child being fine one day, having a limp the next then, after a visit to your GP, having him/her diagnosed with a cruel and aggressive cancer: commencing treatment within 48 hours? Within 3 months you face the amputation of his/her leg then, before a year is up, his/her death after suffering horrendous treatment and reactions to it.I lost my only son, Henry Dancer, to Osteosarcoma when he was j ..read more

Want to create a business plan but don’t know where to start – Here are Stephens Tips from a recent conversation with software partner Fathom.Tip #1: Discover your why and purpose Step away from your desk and find your peace in a place that resonates with you. For me, it's the beach. Take time to connect with your why and purpose. Speak with someone who can help you understand and define these fundamental aspects of your business. When you know your why, you'll be better equipped to cra ..read more

Our systems implementation manager David gives his latest updates on what's happening with the WorkflowMax platform and what the future holds. This seminar was first delivered at the end of September 2023.You can watch the full seminar here ..read more