Lera Accountancy

03/11/2026

Sold a £12 download to a customer in Spain? 🇪🇸 Part of that sale may belong to the Spanish tax authority!

If you sell digital products on Shopify from the UK, like templates, printables, courses or e-books, EU VAT is your responsibility, not Shopify’s. It can apply from your very first sale to an EU customer.

The good news is there’s a simple way to handle it. One registration and one return per quarter, instead of signing up in every country.

Our guide walks you through it step by step 👇

https://www.leraccountancy.co.uk/knowledge/oss-shopify-digital-products/

Questions? Message us anytime, we’re happy to help! 😊

Selling digital products on Shopify from the UK? Learn how EU VAT works, how to register for Non-Union OSS and how to set up Shopify.

23/10/2026

Build software or use AI in your business? You could get money back from HMRC! 💷

Many software and AI companies never claim R&D tax credits because they assume they're only for scientists in lab coats. But if your team has ever tackled a tricky technical problem nobody had solved before, some of those costs could count. Even experiments that didn’t work out!

Our plain-English guide explains what qualifies, what doesn’t, and a deadline first-time claimants shouldn’t miss.

Read it here 👇

https://www.leraccountancy.co.uk/knowledge/rd-tax-credits-for-ai-and-software-companies-uk/

Questions? Message us anytime, we’re happy to help! 😊

Find out what AI and software companies can claim in R&D tax relief. Qualifying work, costs, current rates and worked examples. Free eligibility check.

16/10/2026

Think your lab or clinic is “too clinical” to claim R&D tax credits? Think again! 🔬

We’re chartered accountants, and we often meet genetic testing and fertility businesses that have never claimed simply because they assumed it wasn’t for them.

If you’re developing new testing methods, building your own analysis software or researching better ways of doing things, some of your costs could earn you money back. Even part of your team’s time can count.

There’s also a deadline for first-time claimants that’s easy to miss, so it’s worth checking early.

Our plain-English guide explains it all 👇

https://www.leraccountancy.co.uk/knowledge/rd-tax-credits-for-genetic-testing-companies-uk/

Questions? Message us anytime, we’re always happy to chat! 😊

PGT labs, genomics services and fertility clinics can claim R&D tax credits. Find out what qualifies and how much you could recover.

09/10/2026

Running a small or startup biotech in the UK? You could be leaving R&D tax relief on the table! 🧬

Many founders miss costs that qualify, like reagents (even from experiments that didn’t work out) and the time scientists spend writing papers or presenting at conferences.

And if you’re pre-revenue, the Enhanced R&D Intensive Support scheme could return up to 27% of your qualifying R&D spend as cash, with no equity given away.

Our new guide covers what counts, worked examples, how to claim, and a deadline that catches first-time claimants out.

👉 https://www.leraccountancy.co.uk/knowledge/rd-tax-credits-for-biotech-companies-uk/

Got questions? Send us a message, we’re happy to help!

Biotech companies recover up to 27% of qualifying R&D costs. 2026 guide to lab consumables, staff, clinical trials and how to claim.

28/09/2026

Do you rent out a property abroad? ☀️ It could mean you need to use Making Tax Digital.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is HMRC's new system for landlords and self-employed people. Instead of one tax return a year, you send HMRC updates every quarter.

It applies if your total rental and self-employed income is over £50,000 (dropping to £30,000 from April 2027), and your overseas rent counts towards that total.

For example: £12,000 rent from a flat in Spain + £42,000 rent from a UK property = £54,000. That's over the limit, so MTD applies, even though neither property is over the threshold on its own.

Our easy-to-read guide explains what this means for you, with a handy checklist at the end 👇

https://www.leraccountancy.co.uk/knowledge/mtd-foreign-property-income/

Not sure where you stand? Send us a message and we'll help you work it out 😊

MTD foreign property income for UK landlords: the combined threshold, separate quarterly updates, currency rules and foreign tax credits.

12/06/2026

Thinking about selling on eBay in the UK? 📦 Our beginner's guide covers everything from fees and listings to VAT and HMRC obligations. Don't get caught out by the tax side! Read the full guide here 👇

Complete beginner's guide to selling on eBay UK in 2026. eBay fees explained with real figures and how to grow your eBay business profitably.

03/06/2026

Did you know Amazon reports your sales directly to HMRC? 😬 If you're selling or thinking about selling on Amazon, our new beginner's guide covers everything you need to know, from setup and fees to tax and bookkeeping. 👇

Complete beginner's guide to selling on Amazon UK: business models, Amazon FBA fees, seller account setup and when to use an Amazon accountant

28/05/2026

Sole trader, self-employed and freelancer, you've probably heard all three and wondered if they actually mean the same thing. (Mostly yes, by the way.)
Here's what being a sole trader actually means for your tax situation:
✅ You register with HMRC and do a self-assessment return each year by 31 Jan
✅ Your profits are yours, but you pay income tax on everything above your personal allowance of £12,570
✅ It's simple, low-admin, and perfect for getting started
⚠️ You are personally liable for any business debts. There's no legal separation between you and the business
For a lot of people starting out, a sole trader is absolutely the right call. But if your profits are growing, it might be worth a conversation about incorporating a limited company.
Not sure where you sit? Just ask, we're happy to talk it through 😊

27/05/2026

Thinking about starting a Shopify store in the UK? 🛒 Our latest guide covers everything from choosing a business structure and understanding Shopify fees to VAT, HMRC, and bookkeeping.
Don't let the tax side catch you off guard! Read the full guide here 👇

Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the UK for small business owners, and for a good reason.

14/05/2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is coming, and many small business owners still aren’t sure what it means for them 📊

We’ve put together a simple guide explaining who it affects, what’s changing, and how to prepare early.

Making Tax Digital for income tax is a government initiative to transform the tax system to a fully online working environment.