June Business Update: Essential Financial Insights for Family Businesses in Birmingham
At Barnett Ravenscroft Chartered Accountants, we proudly support family-run businesses and SMEs across Birmingham and the West Midlands. As your trusted chartered accountant in Birmingham, we’re here to help you stay ahead of tax changes, regulatory deadlines, and economic shifts — with proactive, personalised advice.
In this month’s update, we’re covering cyber risks, P11D deadlines, interest rate changes, tax planning for directors, vehicle classification changes, and key reminders for families and employers.
🔐 What to Do If You’re the Victim of a Data Breach
Cybercrime continues to affect UK businesses — and family businesses are no exception. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recently updated its guidance following cyber-attacks on major UK retailers.
If you’ve received a notification about a breach, here’s what to do:
Don’t click suspicious links — always visit the official company website directly
Stay alert to phishing scams
Change compromised passwords immediately, especially if reused
Check your accounts for unauthorised activity
Use NCSC’s official guide to recover hacked accounts
As experienced Birmingham business advisors, we’re here to help you reduce risk, improve protection, and respond quickly if something goes wrong.
📞 Call 0121 454 7241 or email info@braccountants.co.uk — we’re here to support you.
📉 Interest Rate Cut & Trade Developments: What It Means for Your Business
The Bank of England recently lowered the base rate to 4.25%, and new trade agreements with the EU, US, and India have been announced.
Here’s how these updates may affect your Birmingham-based business:
Borrowing costs may reduce, depending on your lending terms
Exporters could benefit from less red tape, especially in manufacturing or food sectors
High inflation continues to affect energy and wage costs
Consumer confidence remains fragile — now is the time to budget carefully
As proactive Birmingham accountants, we help businesses navigate market changes and maintain control.
📞 Get in touch today for help reviewing your financial plan.
📝 P11D Filing Deadline – Are You Prepared?
The deadline to file P11D forms for the 2024/25 tax year is 6 July 2025. From now on, returns must be filed online.
Important P11D updates:
Don’t report reimbursed expenses that qualify as exempt
Benefits under £50 are classed as trivial — but keep records
The Official Rate of Interest (ORI) for loans is 2.25%
From 2025/26, the ORI will be reviewed quarterly
As your trusted accountant in Birmingham, we can prepare and submit your P11Ds to ensure full compliance.
📞 Need support? Call 0121 454 7241 or email info@braccountants.co.uk
🚙 Double-Cab Pickup Rule Change: What Employers Should Know
From 6 April 2025, double-cab pickups (DCPUs) will no longer be treated as vans for benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax purposes — instead, most will be classed as cars, increasing the tax liability for both employers and employees.
Transitional protection applies if your DCPU was ordered or leased before 6 April 2025. This protection lasts until:
The vehicle is sold
The lease ends
Or 5 April 2029, whichever is sooner
If your business offers company vehicles, now is the time to review your arrangements.
📞 We’re happy to help — get in touch with our Birmingham business advisor team.
💷 Bonus as Salary or Dividend: Which Is Better?
Many business owners ask: Should I take extra income as a salary or a dividend?
Salary:
Subject to PAYE and National Insurance
Can increase mortgage eligibility and pension contributions
May push you into a higher tax bracket
Dividends:
Not subject to National Insurance
Taxed at a lower rate
Must be paid from post-corporation-tax profits
The tax-free dividend allowance is now just £500
There’s no universal answer. As your dedicated Birmingham chartered accountants, we help you decide based on your income, goals, and company performance.
📞 Let’s run the numbers — call 0121 454 7241 or email info@braccountants.co.uk
🌐 New UK-EU Trade Deal: What It Could Mean for Your Business
The new UK-EU trade deal includes several key provisions aimed at reducing Brexit-related friction:
Fewer checks on goods like food and plants
Improved access for UK producers (e.g. sausages and cheeses)
Steel exporters will avoid new EU tariffs
Carbon trading systems will be aligned
More efficient travel and business movement
This doesn’t bring the UK back into the single market, but it may reduce bureaucracy and cost for cross-border businesses.
If you import, export, or operate across borders, our team of family business advisors in Birmingham can help you plan ahead.
📞 Contact us for a trade process review or cost-saving consultation.
👨👩👧 Child Benefit Reminder: Act by 31 August
If you’re a parent of a teenager aged 16–19 staying in full-time education or training, you must extend your Child Benefit claim by 31 August, or risk losing payments.
What to do:
Renew via GOV.UK or the HMRC app
Don’t wait for the reminder letter — act now
For employers:
Share this with employees
Expect tax code changes if staff opt to pay the High-Income Child Benefit Charge via PAYE
As a Birmingham accountant supporting families and employers, we can help manage these updates with ease.
📞 Questions? We’re here — call 0121 454 7241 or email info@braccountants.co.uk
🤝 We’re Here to Help
Whether you need support with tax planning, salary strategy, trade regulations, or director compliance — we’re here to help.
As one of the leading chartered accountants in Birmingham, we offer:
Tailored support for family-owned businesses
Proactive tax and compliance advice
A personal service rooted in local experience
📞 Contact us today:
Phone: 0121 454 7241
Email: info@braccountants.co.uk
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