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Taxfile Sponsors Movie for the Herne Hill Free Film Festival (HHFFF) 2026

Taxfile Sponsors Movie at the Herne Hill Free Film Festival (HHFFF) 2026

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Taxfile Sponsors Movie for the Herne Hill Free Film Festival (HHFFF) 2026

Taxfile is delighted to be a part of the Herne Hill Free Film Festival (HHFFF) this year. This wonderful movie festival takes place from 27 April to 22 May 2026 and is a fabulous opportunity for local residents to enjoy free entertainment across various locations in the area. With 15 feature films, a short film night, a film quiz, and a 48-hour film challenge, there really is something for everyone. What’s more, there is no need to buy* or book tickets — simply turn up at the appropriate time and venue, and enjoy!

* Although the film viewings and events are free, donations are invited in aid of HHFFF’s chosen charity, South East London Mind, who support those affected by mental ill-health or dementia.

Taxfile Sponsors Whip It in Mid-May

Taxfile is sponsoring the film ‘Whip It’, showing at the Ark Evelyn Grace Academy on 15 May 2026.Taxfile is sponsoring the film Whip It, which will be shown at the Ark Evelyn Grace Academy on 15 May 2026. Whip It is a heart-warming coming-of-age film and the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore (E.T.). Along with Barrymore, the film stars Elliot (then Ellen) Page (Juno) as a “rebellious, indie-rock-loving, Texan misfit teen who throws in her small-town beauty pageant crown for the rowdy world of roller derby.” The film also features Juliette Lewis (From Dusk Till Dawn), Kristin Wiig (Bridesmaids), and Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River). If you’d like to check it out before the event, watch the official trailer below; the film looks highly entertaining.

For those attending Whip It on 15 May, doors open at 7:00 pm, and the film starts at 7:30 pm. Places are limited, so turn up promptly to avoid missing out.

Other Movies & Events at This Year’s HHFFF

Other films featured in the free film festival include One Battle After Another, Sinners, and family favourites like Stand by Me and Zootropolis. See more of the line-up in the poster below or find out more about the Herne Hill Free Film Festival and its programme of events via the festival website.

HHFFF Poster 2026.

Have a Fabulous Film Festival, from Taxfile

Taxfile would like to wish everyone, whether from Herne Hill itself or surrounding locations, a fabulous film festival. It’s sure to bring the community together in some of the neighbourhood’s iconic locations as each is transformed into a pop-up cinema or event venue. Taxfile staff look forward to seeing some of our lovely tax and accountancy clients there!

Transitioning to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax This April

Transitioning to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax – This April

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Transitioning to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax This April

IMPORTANT: Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax officially takes effect from the beginning of April 2026. If you are self-employed, a sole trader, or receive income from property, it’s likely that this will affect you. Today’s guide outlines key dates, the changes, who they affect, how complying with MTD will impact your business — and how Taxfile can help new and existing clients transition quickly and easily.

What’s This About?

(Transitioning to MTD for Income Tax)

Today’s guide is about the need for many people in the UK to transition to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, the new and regular way of reporting income digitally to HMRC. For those affected, it replaces the traditional once-a-year tax return with 5 smaller submissions spread out through the year.

Who Does MTD for Income Tax Apply To?

MTD applies to those earning a qualifying income above a certain threshold from self-employment, property, or a combination of the two.

What is the Threshold for Participation?

Those with a qualifying income over £50k will be affected first. However, that £50k threshold for obligatory entry will reduce quite quickly, meaning people with much lower incomes will also soon be affected. Those earning a qualifying annual income as low as £20k will therefore also need to comply with MTD fairly imminently.

When Do People Need to Start Complying?

For those with a qualifying annual income over £50k in the financial year 2024-25, it’s time to get on board with MTD for Income Tax right away — MTD digital record-keeping is required from early April 2026. For them, their first quarter’s digital submission to HMRC is then required no later than 7 August.

Others with lower incomes will soon follow suit, with those receiving qualifying annual incomes over £30k starting in April 2027, and those over £20k in April 2028. It’s anticipated that those in partnerships will also soon need to comply (date TBA).

While this represents a change in how tax information is reported, Taxfile’s goal is to ensure the transition is as easy as possible. We want you to feel free to continue delivering your services to customers as usual, while we handle all the MTD ‘heavy lifting’ for you.

Connect With Us to Get Started

with MTD for Income Tax

Taxfile’s tax agents are currently reaching out to new and existing clients to assist with this transition. If you are self-employed or a landlord, with an annual turnover above £50,000 and have not yet heard from your Taxfile agent — or are a new customer looking to begin your MTD journey — please contact us. We can then ensure you remain compliant.

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment

(or contact your dedicated tax agent directly if you are an existing client).

What Do You Need to Do?

To keep your records compliant and up to date, we require your financial data in a digital format:

  • Bank Statements: Please provide these as CSV or Excel digital downloads.
  • Cash Transactions: If you handle cash, please provide receipts or a clear digital record.
  • Business Bank Accounts: We strongly recommend using an account purely for business. Having little to no personal transactions therein will make tracking business income and expenditure much easier.

Personal Support & Reassurance from Taxfile

We understand that not everyone is comfortable with new technology. If you do not have a laptop, a home computer, or a banking app that provides downloads, please do not worry. You are more than welcome to sit with us each quarter to go through your records in person.

Ultimately, we will provide HMRC with the necessary transaction list that reflects your taxable earnings and relevant costs. We view this as a simplification; by filing on a real-time basis throughout the year, we all avoid the stress of a single year-end deadline.

Taxfile Fees

Taxfile will not be charging extra fees for this service. We will simply divide our usual annual self-assessment tax return fee into four equal instalments to help manage your cash flow.

Quarterly Deadlines

Please note the following periods and the deadlines by which you must submit your data to HMRC:

Accounting Period*HMRC Submission Deadline
1 Apr – 30 Jun OR 6 Apr – 5 Jul*7 August
1 Jul – 30 Sep OR 6 Jul – 5 Oct*7 November
1 Oct – 31 Dec OR 6 Oct – 5 Jan*7 February
1 Jan – 31 Mar OR 6 Jan – 5 Apr*7 May
Final submission for the completed yearThe subsequent 31 January

* (Your business accounts may be based on dates either from full calendar months e.g. starting from 1 April, or months based on the Financial Year, which starts on 6 April).

We very much look forward to hearing from — and seeing — our customers more regularly. The Taxfile team is here to support you every step of the way.

Get Started

Get in touch to start your transition to MTD for Income Tax today:

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment

(or contact your dedicated tax agent directly if you are an existing client).

 

Companies House ID Verification 2025: A Director's Guide to the New UK Rules

Companies House ID Verification 2025: A Director’s Guide to the New UK Rules

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Companies House ID Verification 2025: A Director's Guide to the New UK Rules

A major change is coming for all UK company directors in 2025. Companies House is introducing mandatory identity verification and we’ve created this essential guide to explain what the new director ID verification rules mean for you, ensuring you stay compliant and avoid significant penalties.

These new measures are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), a significant piece of legislation designed to improve the quality of data on the UK Companies Register and prevent corporate structures from being used for fraudulent activities.

This guide will walk you through the key changes, deadlines, and the exact steps you need to take.

What Are the New Director ID Verification Rules?

The core of the new legislation is the requirement for all new and existing company directors and other key individuals to verify their identity with Companies House. The goal is to ensure that every registered company has a real, verified person behind it, making it much harder to appoint fictitious directors or hide beneficial ownership.

This is a one-time verification process per individual, regardless of how many directorships you hold.

Who Needs to Complete the Companies House Identity Verification?

The new identity verification requirements apply to a wide range of individuals. You will need to verify your identity if you are:

  • An existing or newly appointed company director.
  • A Person with Significant Control (PSC).
  • A member of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
  • Any individual who files information or documentation with Companies House.

Key Deadlines:

When Do I Need to Be Verified By?

The rollout of these new ID check rules is happening in phases. It’s crucial to be aware of these dates:

  • From April 8, 2025 (Voluntary Verification) — You can (and should) get ahead of the deadline by verifying your identity now.
  • From Autumn 2025 (Mandatory for New Appointments) — ID verification will be compulsory for all new company incorporations and for any newly appointed directors or PSCs.
  • Autumn 2025 – Autumn 2026 (Transitional Period for Existing Directors) — If you are an existing director, you will have a 12-month window to verify your identity. This period will be linked to your company’s confirmation statement filing date.
  • From Spring 2026 (Mandatory for Filers) — Anyone who files documents with Companies House, such as accountants or administrative staff, must have a verified identity.

Step-by-Step:

How to Complete Your ID Verification

There are two official methods for completing your director identity verification:

1. Directly with Companies House (digital route): This is a free digital process using the GOV.UK One Login system. You will need a form of photo ID, such as a passport or UK driving licence. The system will ask you to take a photo of your document and then a “selfie” to biometrically match your identity.

2. An in-person option at a Post Office will be available for those unable to use the digital service.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

What Happens If You Don’t Verify?

Companies House is taking these new rules very seriously. Failing to verify your identity within the deadline is not an option. The consequences of non-compliance are significant and include:

  • A Criminal Offence — It will be a criminal offence for the unverified individual.
  • Financial Penalties — You could face substantial fines.
  • Inability to Act — You will be unable to legally act as a director.
  • Filings Blocked — You will be barred from filing any documents for your company.
  • Director Disqualification — You could be disqualified from being a director.
  • Reputational Damage — The public register will flag your status as “unverified,” which could damage your company’s credibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Companies House identity verification free?
A: Yes, verifying your identity directly with Companies House using the GOV.UK One Login system is free.

Q: What documents do I need for the ID check?
A: You will typically need a form of photographic ID. A valid passport or a UK photocard driving licence are the most common documents used.

Q: What happens if I am a director of multiple companies?
A: You only need to verify your identity once. The verified status will then be linked to your name and apply across all your directorships.

Taxfile

This guide was brought to you by Taxfile, South London’s favourite accountants and tax advisors. We help individuals, sole traders, the self-employed, and limited companies with all aspects of accountancy and tax including accounts, bookkeeping, tax returns and much more.

For help with any accounting or tax matter, call Taxfile on 0208 761 8000 or choose an option below:

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment Contact Us