April Newsletter | 2025
Spring has sprung, and with it comes a fresh season of growth and positive change. In this month's newsletter, we'll be covering essential updates about PAYE portal changes, key dates and sharing some valuable Xero tips to streamline your business operations. Plus, we've included the latest HMRC updates that may affect your business. Let's dive into this month's updates.
Important PAYE changes:
As mentioned in our last blog, as of 1st April 2025, BrightPay (our payroll partner) have made a few changes, the main one being how payslips are received by employees. Previously, we would manually send payslips to employees, however these will now automatically be sent to employees who have provided an email address. In order to receive this email, all employees must create a log into to BrightPay Connect. Any employees who haven't provided an email address, payslips will be sent directly to their employer.
This month we will reinvite everyone to this (we know some of you are already using the service). Please kindly accept the invite and create your password. This will then ensure that your payslips are sent to you directly on the morning of pay day. All invites will have been sent out w/c 21st April - if you have not yet received an invite, please let us know as soon as possible.
Tax & VAT Updates:
Late Payment Interest Rate Change
From 6 April 2025, HMRC's late payment interest rate increases to 4% above Bank of England base rate (up from 2.5%)
This affects all tax types including VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax
VAT Changes - threshold remains the same
VAT registration threshold increased to £90,000 (previously £85,000)
Standard VAT rates remain unchanged at 20%, 5% (reduced), and 0% (zero-rated)
Income Tax Updates
Personal allowance remains at £12,570 for 2025/26
Tax rates continue at 20% (basic), 40% (higher), and 45% (additional)
HMRC employee bulletin:
The latest employer bulletin can be found here: April 2025 issue of the Employer Bulletin - GOV.UK - Updates include; changes to National Insurance thresholds, new National Minimum Wage rates, and guidance on reporting expenses and benefits for the tax year ending 5 April 2025.
Handy Xero keyboard shortcuts: Speed up your workflow by using keyboard shortcuts such as -
Ctrl + B for bank reconciliation
Ctrl + Alt + C for new contacts
Ctrl + Alt + I for creating invoices
Charity Fundraiser:
We are currently helping to fundraise for a wonderful initiative, supporting the development of an incredible squad of girls; Ashton FC U15. If you would like to be a part of their journey, we are helping to raise funds for equipment, kit, and the upcoming 2025 tour,. The Go Fund me can be found here: Fundraiser by Aaron Lee : Ashton FC U15 Football Tour Fundraising