Quarter One: News you can use
The first quarter of 2026 has been a busy and important one for small businesses, with key HMRC updates, new digital developments, and several exciting changes here at DS Business Support. As we head into the new tax year, this wrap up brings together everything you need to know. From compliance reminders to software updates, onboarding requirements and what’s new within our team.
HMRC & Tax Updates: What’s changed this quarter
The start of the year always brings renewed focus on compliance, and HMRC has continued to emphasise the importance of accurate digital record keeping and timely submissions. Businesses are being encouraged to stay ahead of tax deadlines, maintain clean financial data and prepare for the next phase of digital reporting. You can find the latest updates directly from HMRC at: HMRC employer bulletins - GOV.UK
This quarter also saw reminders around VAT obligations, payroll accuracy and the importance of maintaining up to date financial records to avoid penalties. With the new tax year approaching in April, now is the ideal time to ensure your books are in order.
Xero & Dext: New features to improve your workflow
Both Xero and Dext have rolled out improvements designed to make bookkeeping smoother and more automated.
Xero introduced enhancements to bank feed reliability, reporting layouts and reconciliation tools, helping businesses maintain cleaner, more accurate data. Explore Xero updates here:
Dext improved document capture accuracy, categorisation rules and mobile app performance, making it easier to stay organised on the go. Learn more about Dext here:
These updates support the shift toward digital-first bookkeeping and help reduce manual admin for business owners.
Welcoming Jenny, our new Senior Bookkeeper
We’re thrilled to welcome Jenny, our new Senior Bookkeeper, to the DS Business Support team. Jenny brings years of experience in small business finance, digital bookkeeping systems and process optimisation. She will be supporting clients with more complex bookkeeping needs, reviewing workflows and helping us continue to deliver a high standard of service as our client base grows.
Flexible Support: Build a package that fits your business
More clients than ever have been tailoring their support packages this quarter. Our flexible model allows you to choose exactly what you need, whether that’s monthly bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, CIS, admin support or a combination of services.
You can scale your package up or down as your business evolves, giving you the freedom to stay organised and compliant without the cost of hiring in‑house. It’s the simplest way to reduce admin, free up time and keep your financial foundations strong.
Client Referral Programme: Thank you for spreading the word!
Word of mouth continues to be our most powerful form of advertising, and we’re incredibly grateful for every referral you send our way. Our client referral programme rewards you for recommending DS Business Support to other business owners who could benefit from reliable, flexible financial support. If you know someone who needs help with their bookkeeping, payroll or admin, we’d love to support them.
Biometric ID Checks — Due by the end of March
A reminder that all biometric ID checks must be completed by 31 March 2026. These checks are essential for our AML compliance and must be submitted before we can continue providing services into the new tax year. Further information can be found here: Identity verification - Changes to UK company law
Client Onboarding Forms — Please submit ASAP
If you haven’t yet completed your client onboarding forms, please ensure these are submitted as soon as possible. These forms allow us to keep your records accurate, maintain compliance and ensure we have the correct permissions in place for the year ahead. If you can’t find this in your inbox, please let us know so we can resend it.
Making Tax Digital: Preparing for the next phase
Making Tax Digital (MTD) continues to expand, with HMRC pushing for fully digital record‑keeping and quarterly submissions for more businesses. If you’re not yet using MTD‑compatible software or need help preparing for the transition, now is the time to get set up. You can read the latest MTD guidance here: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - how it works
Our team can help you understand what’s required, choose the right software and ensure your systems are compliant before the next phase rolls out.
If you’d like to review your support package for Q2 or explore outsourcing more of your financial admin, just let us know. We’re here to help you stay organised, compliant and confident as you move into the new tax year.