The UK government has just announced a proposed increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge fee this year. The increase will affect thousands of non-EU nationals who are currently living, working and studying in the UK.

Philip Gamble, our British nationality expert, has come across a rare situation where a client qualifies for registration as a British citizen on the basis of quadruple descent. What does that mean? Simply put it means some people may be able to claim British citizenship from their great grandfather’s birth in the UK.

Although the terms “self-employed” and “contractor” are often used interchangeably, there are important differences between the two. Generally, all contractors operating as individuals are self-employed, but not all self-employed individuals are contractors. This has important tax implications and you need to be aware of the nuanced differences.

Having some good financial insight into how your business is really performing will put you on a good footing to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. By doing this you can make decisions that allow your business to flourish. To give your business that edge, you need good management accounting in place.

Fintech, market disruptors, cryptocurrency - all key words used in my industry to describe some of the ways technology has changed and moulded our industry over the last few years. Now, while I, myself am a millennial and completely value and appreciate technology and the role it has to play in all our industries, I value the worth of a person more. I prefer doing business with a human. Someone who understands my objections and goals with a particular purchase or transaction in mind.

Once you’ve made the decision to move your family to the UK, the next big decision you’ll need to make is where to send your children to school. As any parent knows, choosing the right school is serious business. To help make the process of choosing a school easier, we’ve put together a quick guide on the education system in the UK and what your options are as someone moving there with children.

As a business owner, you understand the importance of planning ahead and that making the right decisions can translate into profits for your business. When it comes to your pension, it’s no different. If you’re finding it hard to navigate the UK pension system, I’ve highlighted some of the important things to consider before choosing a pension. There are also some great ways your limited company can get you some huge tax savings.

Since its launch last year, many UK contractors have used HMRC’s online CEST (Check Employment Status for Tax) tool to work out whether they fall within the scope of IR35. Recently, claims of its inaccuracy, and an independent investigation, have placed further doubts on the test’s reliability. Despite this, HMRC remains convinced that the tool is accurate, and contractors are finding themselves in murky waters. If you find yourself in this kind of a predicament, do not despair, we can shed some light on the situation.

One in three taxpayers in the UK are due a tax refund and if you’ve recently stopped working in the UK, it’s likely that you’re one of them. Claiming back what’s due to you can be quite admin-heavy and complicated. Not to worry, we can help you determine whether you’re eligible to make a claim and ensure you get all the money that’s owed to you.

Being a contractor in the UK comes with significant advantages, such as a higher earning potential, flexibility and independence. Unfortunately, there are some challenges, too, particularly when it comes to purchasing a home in the UK. There’s no need to be concerned though. There are ways and means of getting on the property ladder as a contractor in the UK. First, you’ll need to understand how lenders will assess you and what you should be doing to improve your chances of getting a home loan.