Statutory Sick Pay Changes from 6 April 2026 – What You Need to Know

Statutory Sick Pay Changes from 6 April 2026 – What You Need to Know

From 6 April 2026, some important changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will come into effect. If you’re an employer, it’s worth understanding what’s changing and how it might affect you.

Don’t worry—this guide keeps things simple and clear.

What’s Changing in April 2026?

The key changes coming into effect are:

1. SSP will be payable from Day 1 of sickness

Currently, employees only receive SSP from the fourth day of being off sick. The first three days are known as “waiting days” and are usually unpaid (unless the employer chooses to pay them).

From 6 April 2026, this will change:

·  SSP will be paid from the first day an employee is off sick
·  The three “waiting days” will be removed

2. Removal of the Lower Earnings Limit

All employees, no matter how few hours they work and regardless of their earnings, will now have access to SSP.

3. Payment Calculation

Employees will receive 80% of their average weekly earnings (AWE) or the flat rate of £123.25 per week, whichever is the lower. Your payroll software will become your best friend when calculations need to be made.

What This Means for Employers

·         More employees may qualify for SSP

·         SSP will need to be paid earlier (from day one instead of day four)

·         Review your sickness policies to make sure they reflect the new rules.

·         Update your contracts of employment to include the new sickness policy.

·         Ensure you accurately record all absences

Treat your payroll software with respect

Keeping your payroll software up to date might not seem like a priority, but it plays a big role in making sure everything runs smoothly. Whether you’re an employer or managing payroll for a business, payroll software will play a pivotal role in ensuring correct SSP calculations.

If you’re unsure how this will affect your business speak to a qualified bookkeeper or payroll professional ahead of April 2026.

Are you a Sole Trader or Landlord?

Are you a Sole Trader or Landlord?

MTD ITSA Is Coming! Don’t let your Bookkeeping get prickly.

If you’re a sole trader or landlord in the UK still keeping records on paper, you’re not alone.

Spreadsheets, shoeboxes, envelopes full of receipts. The “safe place” that somehow disappears when you need it most.

For years, this system has worked (mostly).

But with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) approaching, paper records and manual bookkeeping will soon become much harder to manage,and potentially non-compliant with HMRC requirements.

The good news? Moving to digital bookkeeping software is far easier than you might think.

And once it’s set up, most people wonder why they didn’t switch sooner.

What’s changing with MTD ITSA?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) is part of HMRC’s move towards a fully digital tax system.

It means sole traders and landlords must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software.

Phase 1-  Starting 6 April 2026

You will need to comply with MTD ITSA if:

🌵 Your qualifying income is over £50,000
🌵 This includes sole trader income, UK property income, and overseas property income
🌵 Eligibility is based on your 2024/25 tax return

 Phase 2 – Starting 6 April 2027

You must join if:

🌵 Your qualifying income is over £30,000
🌵 Eligibility will be based on your 2025/26 tax return

Future phase – expected 2028

A further phase is expected from 6 April 2028 for those earning over £20,000.

This means millions of UK sole traders and landlords will soon need digital bookkeeping systems to remain HMRC compliant.

Why digital Bookkeeping makes life easier

Switching to digital bookkeeping software for sole traders and landlords isn’t just about meeting HMRC’s new requirements.

It actually makes running your business simpler, faster and far less stressful.

Here’s why:

1️. Stay Compliant with HMRC

MTD ITSA requires digital record keeping and quarterly tax updates.

Moving to a digital system now avoids last-minute panic and ensures you are fully compliant with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rules.

2️. Save Hours on Admin

Digital bookkeeping software can automatically track:

  • Income
    • Expenses
    • Invoices
    • Bank transactions

No more adding things up manually or searching for missing paperwork.

3️. Reduce Costly Errors

Manual bookkeeping increases the risk of mistakes.

Digital accounting software helps with automatic calculations, accurate record keeping and reliable reporting.

4️. See your profit in real time

Instead of waiting until the end of the tax year, you can instantly see:

  • Business profit
    • Business expenses
    • Estimated tax liabilities
    • Cash flow

Giving you complete financial visibility throughout the year.

5️. Avoid unexpected Tax bills

On of the biggest benefits of digital bookkeeping is predictability.

Software can estimate your tax throughout the year so you can plan ahead and avoid January tax shocks.

6️. Store receipts safely

No more lost paperwork.

Simply snap and upload receipts digitally, keeping everything securely stored and easily accessible.

No fading.
No disappearing.
No rummaging required.

The bottom line

Moving to digital bookkeeping for MTD ITSA means:

✔ Less admin
✔ Fewer errors
✔ Better financial visibility
✔ Easier HMRC compliance
✔ Less stress at tax time

How Cactus Bookkeeping can help 🌵

At Cactus Bookkeeping, we help UK sole traders and landlords transition from paper records to simple digital bookkeeping systems that meet HMRC’s Making Tax Digital requirements.

We can:

🌵 Set up the right bookkeeping software for your business
🌵 Show you exactly how it works
🌵 Keep everything simple and stress-free
🌵 Provide ongoing bookkeeping support throughout the year

Prefer not to do it yourself?

No problem, we can handle your bookkeeping completely, keeping everything organised and MTD compliant for you.

No jargon.
No overwhelm.
No sharp edges.

Ready to make the switch?

Let’s turn your bookkeeping from paper chaos into a simple digital system that works.

🌵 Get MTD ITSA ready
🌵 Stay HMRC compliant
🌵 Run your business with confidence

Contact Cactus Bookkeeping today and make your bookkeeping smooth, not prickly.

Do You Really Know What It Costs to Run Your Business?

Do You Really Know What It Costs to Run Your Business?

There is no hiding from it, MTD for VAT becomes mandatory for all VAT registered businesses from 1st April 2022, even if you are VAT registered but under the £85,00 VAT threshold.  What does this mean for your business?
  • You will need to sign your business up to Maxing Tax Digital (https://bit.ly/35ubffy)
  • You will now be required to file your VAT returns directly from the accounting software you use to record your day-to-day transactions.
Accounting software can be specific software such as FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Sage or one of the other 549 compatible software providers listed on HMRC website (https://bit.ly/3HwfQve), or, if you use  spreadsheets to calculate your VAT figures, you will need to use bridging software to report these figures to HMRC. Records you must keep include:
  • your business name, address, and VAT registration number
  • any VAT accounting schemes you use
  • copies of all invoices/credit notes you issue
  • copies of all invoices/credit notes you received (originals or electronic copies)
  • name, address, and VAT number of any self-billing suppliers
  • import and export records
  • records of any items you cannot reclaim VAT on – e.g., business entertainment
  • records of all zero-rated items, reduced or VAT exempt items you buy or sell
  • a VAT account
  • any adjustments you make to a return
If you are not already using software, now is a great time to check into this.  Accounting software would be a positive move forward as you have the ability to download bank transaction into the software and attach your documents to the transactions in your software, this means everything is stored in one place.  The software will then calculate your VAT and link direct to HMRC to file the return. If you bank with NatWest, RBS or Mettle business banking, you can use FreeAgent software for free. Please remember your account transactions are only as accurate as the information entered and the knowledge or the person recording the transactions.  If you are unsure of what is required to comply with MTD or require assistance with choosing software, please get in touch via sue@cactusbookkeeping.uk
How can bookkeepers help grow your business

How can bookkeepers help grow your business

How can bookkeepers help grow your business

4 piles of coins with trees on the top

Are you a business owner struggling to keep up with your financial records? Many business owners believe bookkeeping is just about recording numbers, but it’s actually a powerful tool for business growth.

A professional bookkeeper can provide financial clarity, organisation, and insights that will help you make better decisions, improve cash flow, and ultimately grow your business.

Here’s how hiring a bookkeeper can support your business success.

Gain control over your cash flow:

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and without proper tracking, it’s easy to run into financial trouble. A small business bookkeeper ensures:

  • Your income and expenses are accurately recorded;
  • You always know where your business finances stand
  • You can plan for future expenses and avoid cash shortages

When your business accounting is up to date, you can make data driven decisions with confidence.

Identify cost saving opportunities:

Are you overspending without realising it? Many business owners lose money on unnecessary costs without even knowing. A professional bookkeeper can help you:

  • Spot unnecessary expenses or overpayments
  • Reduce costs by analysing spending patterns
  • Ensure you’re getting the best value from suppliers

Bookkeeping services help you cut waste, increase profits, and improve financial stability.

Keep your business finances organised:

Messy books lead to stress, confusion, and financial mistakes. A bookkeeping expert keeps everything organised, so you:

  • Know exactly how much your business is earning and spending
  • Never lose track of unpaid invoices or overdue payments
  • Have accurate financial records for strategic decision making

With an efficient bookkeeping system, you can focus on business growth instead of financial stress.

Prepare for business growth and scaling:

Thinking about expanding? Whether you’re hiring more employees, investing in new tools, or launching a new product, scaling a business requires financial planning. A bookkeeper helps you:

  • Determine if your revenue can support business expansion
  • Plan budgets to allocate resources efficiently
  • Build a strong financial foundation for long-term success

Growth requires stability, and outsourcing bookkeeping ensures your finances are structured for success.

Save time and boost productivity:

As a business owner, your time is valuable. Instead of spending hours on bookkeeping and financial management, why not let a professional handle it? With a bookkeeper, you can:

  • Spend more time on sales and client relationships
  • Focus on scaling your small business
  • Reduce stress and avoid costly financial mistakes

By hiring a bookkeeper, you’re investing in your business’s efficiency and profitability.

Looking for professional bookkeeping services?

At Cactus Bookkeeping, we specialise in helping businesses stay financially organised and on track for success. We are now accepting new clients from April 2025!

Contact us today to book your spot and take control of your finances.

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

 

 

 

End of financial year preparation: A guide for business owners

End of financial year preparation: A guide for business owners

End of financial year preparation: A guide for business owners

Calculattor, stacks of coins and paperwork showing financial graphs

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, business owners should take the time to review their financial records, reconcile accounts, and prepare for the year ahead. Staying organised ensures you have a clear understanding of your business’s financial position and allows you to make informed decisions for growth.

Here’s a structured guide to help you get your business finances in order before the financial year closes.

Review and reconcile your financial records:

Accurate financial records are essential for understanding your business’s performance. As the EOFY nears, take the time to:

  • Ensure all income and expenses are recorded correctly
  • Reconcile bank statements with business transactions
  • Address any discrepancies to maintain accurate financial data

Keeping well organised records helps with reporting, forecasting, and setting financial goals for the next year.

Follow up on outstanding invoices:

Unpaid invoices can impact cash flow and business stability. Before the year ends, make sure to:

  • Review any outstanding customer payments
  • Send reminders for overdue invoices
  • Update your records to reflect payments received

A proactive approach to accounts receivable helps maintain a healthy cash flow and ensures a smoother transition into the new financial year.

Organise and review business expenses:

Tracking expenses efficiently allows business owners to manage costs effectively. Ensure that:

  • All receipts and invoices are stored and categorised
  • Recurring expenses, such as subscriptions and operational costs, are reviewed
  • Any unnecessary spending is identified for potential cost-saving opportunities

Regularly reviewing expenses provides insight into spending patterns and helps you adjust to improve profitability.

 Assess cash flow and financial planning:

A strong cash flow strategy is key to sustaining and growing a business. As the financial year closes, take time to:

  • Analyse income and expenditure trends
  • Identify opportunities to optimize cash flow
  • Develop a financial plan for the next 12 months

Understanding how money moves through your business allows for better decision making and financial stability in the long term.

Back up financial data and reports:

Maintaining secure and accessible financial records is a best practice for any business.

Ensure that:

  • Digital copies of receipts, invoices, and financial reports are backed up
  • Data is securely stored in cloud-based accounting software or external storage
  • Records are easily accessible for future reference

A well-maintained financial record system simplifies reporting and ensures that historical data is readily available when needed.

Seek professional support for financial organisation:

Preparing for the end of the financial year can be time consuming, and ensuring financial accuracy is crucial. A bookkeeper can assist with:

  • Keeping your financial records well organised
  • Providing insights into cash flow and spending patterns
  • Helping you establish better financial processes for the future

If you’re looking for a professional bookkeeping service to help manage your financial records, Cactus Bookkeeping is accepting new clients from April 2025.

Get in touch to ensure your business is financially organised for the year ahead.

Enter the new financial year with confidence and a strong financial foundation.

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)