Accountwise

Could taking a dividend before 6 April 2026 save you tax?

With the tax year end approaching, it’s a good time for directors of personal and family companies to review how and when they take dividends.

If your company has sufficient retained profits, bringing a dividend forward before 6 April could help you:

✔️ Make the most of any unused personal or dividend allowances
✔️ Benefit from current, lower dividend tax rates
✔️ Potentially save £20 per £1,000 compared to taking the same dividend after April 2026

From April 2026, dividend tax rates are set to increase for basic and higher rate taxpayers, so timing could make a real difference.

That said, it’s not always as simple as taking dividends early - your wider income and tax band will impact whether it’s worthwhile.

If you’re unsure, it’s worth taking a closer look now to make the most of the current rules. As always, we would be happy to chat things through with you. Just drop us a message.

✅ If the expense would have been tax-deductible for the employee (for example, business travel to a client meeting), reimbursement is usually tax-free.

When employees claim back work-related costs, it’s not always automatically tax-free.

✅ If the expense would have been tax deductible for the employee (for example, business travel to a client meeting), reimbursement is usually tax-free.

❌ But if it wouldn’t qualify for a deduction (like normal home-to-work travel), reimbursing it can create a tax and NIC liability.

Good news: From 6 April 2026, new rules will mean reimbursed costs for eye tests, flu vaccines and homeworking equipment will also be tax-free - aligning them with benefits provided directly by employers.

A quick review of your expenses policy now could save headaches later.

If you’d like support, the Accountwise team is happy to help. Just drop us a DM.

With cyber threats on the rise, a new campaign is encouraging SMEs to take some simple, practical steps to protect their businesses.

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of businesses and 30% of charities experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last year. Across the UK, cyber threats are estimated to cost £14.71 billion annually - and for some businesses, just one serious incident could put trading at risk.

The campaign highlights Cyber Essentials, developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It focuses on five key protections that don’t require specialist IT expertise:

• Firewalls
• Secure configuration
• Software updates
• User access control
• Malware protection

These simple measures address the most common weaknesses exploited by cyber criminals. Basic oversights, like outdated software or unclear access controls, are still behind many attacks.

There are also free resources available, including a Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool and a free 30-minute consultation with an NCSC-assured advisor.

It’s easy to think “we’re too small to be targeted” - but most attacks are automated and opportunistic. Taking a few proactive steps now can reduce disruption, protect your cash flow and safeguard customer trust.

You can find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/businesses-urged-to-lock-the-door-on-cyber-criminals-as-new-government-campaign-launches