Category Archives: Uncategorized
News
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10 Costly Tax Mistakes UK Landlords Make (And How To Avoid Them)
Most landlords don’t set out to get their tax wrong — the mistakes creep in quietly. Deborah Wood shares the 10 she sees most often, and how to steer clear of them.
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What Makes Yorkshire Businesses Different?
Every year on the 1st of August, Yorkshire pauses to celebrate itself. It’s easy to treat that as a bit of fun — flags, dialect, a nod to God’s Own […]
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Winter Fuel Payment: Are You Going to Be Caught Out?
The Winter Fuel Payment is back for 2025/26 — but if your taxable income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will take it straight back. And if you’re not careful, you could end up repaying two years’ worth at once. Debra Fossett from our Bradford team explains what’s changed, what it means for couples, and what you can do about it.
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Your First MTD for Income Tax Deadline Is Two Weeks Away — Here’s What to Do
The first MTD for Income Tax quarterly deadline is 7 August 2026 — and if your gross income exceeds £50,000 from self-employment or property, it applies to you now. Here’s exactly what needs to happen in the next 14 days, and what the soft-landing means for this year’s submissions.
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We’re 10th in the UK Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers
We’re delighted to share that Walter Dawson & Son has placed 10th in this year’s Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers rankings — our best result yet, and our third year […]
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Temporary VAT Reduction – Summer 2026
The Chancellor has announced a temporary VAT reduction aimed at making family leisure activities more affordable this summer. For businesses operating in hospitality, visitor attractions, and the wider leisure sector, […]
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S455 Tax on Overdrawn Director’s Loan Accounts: What’s Changing in April 2026?
From April 2026, the S455 tax charge on overdrawn director’s loan accounts is increasing from 33.75% to 35.75%. If your loan account is — or is likely to be — overdrawn at your next year end, now is a good time to review your options. Our tax team explains what’s changing and what you can do about it.
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MTD for Income Tax: A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners
From April 2026, sole traders and small business owners with gross income over £50,000 must move to quarterly digital reporting under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. This guide explains what changes, what deadlines apply, and the five steps to get your business MTD-ready before April.
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End of Tax Year To Do List
With 5 April 2026 fast approaching, now is the time to review your finances. From ISAs and pensions to capital gains and gifting, our checklist highlights the key allowances you should be making the most of before the tax year closes.
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MTD Is Here: What Every Freelancer and Sole Trader Needs to Know Before April 2026
HMRC’s biggest shake-up to self-assessment in a generation is almost here. From April 2026, sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 must ditch the annual tax return and switch to quarterly digital reporting. Here’s everything you need to know — and what to do right now.
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Gifts Out of Surplus Income
A Valuable Inheritance Tax Exemption Explained Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts continue to rise year on year, and from 6 April 2027 this is expected to increase further as pensions form […]
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Celebrating Team Excellence: Isabel Foster Wins Quarterly Recognition Award
At WDS, our values are more than just words – they’re woven into how we support clients, collaborate with one another, and build a culture where people can thrive. Every […]
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From firefighting to feeling in control: how to make 2026 a calmer year in business
Running a business isn’t just about sales, strategy and growth.It’s also about the stuff that quietly keeps you awake at night. Will cash be tight next month?Have I put enough […]
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What Can You Claim for Staff Christmas Parties & Gifts?
The festive season is one of the most anticipated times of year for businesses and employees alike. With team celebrations, Christmas parties, and gift-giving traditions in full swing, many employers […]
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Budget 2025: Early Headlines and What Comes Next
The Budget has officially landed — and while it may feel steadier on the surface compared to last year, there are still meaningful changes ahead for both individuals and businesses. […]
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A Night to Remember: Highlights from the 2025 WDS Walters Awards
On Friday, the WDS team traded spreadsheets for an evening of celebration at the annual Walters Awards. This year’s event was held at the beautiful Oulton Hall in Rothwell — […]
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WDS Celebrates Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employer Award—Two Years in a Row
For the second consecutive year, WDS has been recognised as one of the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers in the UK, proudly placing 31st on the 2025 list. Today, our […]
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TAX ALERT: HMRC Is Clamping Down on Side Hustles
Have you ever made a little extra cash on the side? Maybe it’s selling handmade crafts on Etsy. Or have a store on Vinted.Do you make money from selling products […]
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O’Reilly Chartered Accountants in Hawes merges with WDS
We are delighted to announce that O’Reilly Chartered Accountants, a well-respected practice based in Hawes, North Yorkshire is merging with WDS. From 1 September, the O’Reilly team and their clients […]
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Welcoming Toni Moss as WDS’s New In-House HR Manager
We’re thrilled to announce that Toni Moss has joined WDS as our new in-house HR Manager. With over 18 years of experience in operational HR across diverse industries, Toni brings […]
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Spotlight on Success: Q&A interview with Karen Blackburn, Newly Promoted York Senior Manager
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Karen Blackburn to the role of Senior Manager at our York office. With a career in accountancy that began at the age […]
