This update covers the Companies House identity verification deadline on 17 November, the key dates between now and the end of January, and the main points from the 28 October 2026 Autumn Budget that affect small businesses, landlords and employers.
Key dates
- 17 November 2026: end of the Companies House identity verification transition period for existing directors and people with significant control.
- 30 December 2026: file your Self Assessment return online by this date if you want tax under £3,000 collected through your PAYE tax code.
- 31 January 2027: online Self Assessment return for 2025/26, the balancing payment, and the first payment on account for 2026/27.
- 7 February 2027: third Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly update (6 October to 5 January) for those already in the scheme.
Companies House: identity verification
Identity verification for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) became mandatory on 18 November 2025. Existing directors were given a 12-month transition period, which ends on 17 November 2026 (Pinsent Masons).
- Who must verify: every director, and every PSC or equivalent such as an LLP member.
- How: a free online check with Companies House, or through an authorised corporate service provider. You receive a personal code, which links your verified identity to each company you are involved with (GOV.UK).
- Risk of not verifying: acting as a director while unverified is an offence, and the first prosecutions have already taken place (GOV.UK). An unverified company may also be restricted from filing.
Please verify now if you have not already done so. We can walk you through the process.
HMRC and the Autumn Budget
The Chancellor delivered the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026. The points below are from a published summary (FreeAgent). Figures are as reported, so please check the official Budget documents before acting on them.
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: self-employed people and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 have been in the scheme since April 2026. It widens to income over £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028 (GOV.UK). Quarterly updates are due by the 7th of the month after each quarter ends.
- Sole traders: the trading allowance rises from £1,000 to £3,000 from 6 April 2027. The mileage rate for business miles over 10,000 rises from 25p to 35p, and the 55p rate for the first 10,000 miles is made permanent.
- Landlords and savers: from April 2027, tax rates on property and savings income rise to 24% (basic), 44% (higher) and 49% (additional).
- Business owners: the Business Asset Disposal Relief lifetime limit falls from £1 million to £500,000 for qualifying disposals from 6 April 2027. A new founders’ relief, taxing up to £10 million of lifetime gains at 10%, is subject to consultation.
- Employers: the National Living Wage (age 21 and over) rises 3.9% from £12.71 to £13.21 an hour, and the rate for ages 18 to 20 rises to £11.27. From April 2029, businesses will have to set up a Direct Debit instruction for VAT and PAYE.
If any of these may change your tax planning, particularly before 6 April 2027, please get in touch.
How we can help
We help with Self Assessment returns, Making Tax Digital set-up, payroll, VAT, company filings and tax planning ahead of April 2027. Book a free consultation or call +44 7935 224917.
This article is general information, not personal advice.
