From Last-Minute Panic to Peace of Mind. How You Can Get Your Finances Back on Track With Quove.
23 July 2025 Reading time: 3 mins
If you run a small business, and you’re a Limited Company director juggling multiple hats, this might sound familiar…
You keep meaning to “sort the numbers later.” Dividends? Salary? You’ll deal with it before the tax return’s due, you tell yourself… every year.
Fast forward to late January. The self-assessment deadline is looming, your inbox is pinging with reminders about new national insurance thresholds and dividend reporting changes, and suddenly it hits you, you might have left it too late again.
Maybe your bookkeeping is patchy, maybe your payroll services have slipped through the cracks, or maybe you're not sure whether you should be taking more in dividends or sticking with your current salary setup.
At this point, many people try a quick Google search:
“Bookkeeper near me”
“How to file a self-assessment”
“Local Business Accountants In Suffolk”
“Dividends and Salary Set-Up”
But it’s a minefield. Articles contradict each other. Guidance is vague. You need someone to cut through the noise and break it down clearly.
That’s where Quove steps in.
We can help you:
◆ Discuss and forecast profitability.
◆ Review past PAYE and corporation tax submissions
◆ Structure a salary/dividend split that is tax-efficient.
We’ll also walk you through HMRC changes, like the drop in director NI thresholds and the new requirement to declare shareholdings on the SA102 and put a plan in place so there’s no last-minute panic next year.
We’ll tidy your books, sync everything with Xero, QuickBooks or your preferred software, and make sure you're fully Making Tax Digital compliant.
And even better, you can enjoy ongoing support from us.
We’ll take care of VAT returns and annual accounts, and offer expert tax planning, from knowing when to draw income to the best times to reinvest in the business. You’ll have access to real people (not just software), and your stress levels will be halved. Imagine being able to speak to someone face-to-face in a friendly environment.
Don’t leave your salary and dividend planning until the last minute. It can cost you in stress and tax. Whether you’re a sole trader, a Limited Company director, or running a partnership, getting proactive support from us, your local business accountants at Quove can make all the difference.
If this resonates, you’re not alone, and we can help.
Get in touch with Quove today. Future-you will thank you!
Ready to make a change?
Want to know more? Here are 5 important things to understand about salaries and dividends:
What's the difference? Salary vs Dividends
A salary is a fixed, regular payment that’s pension and mortgage-friendly, but subject to national insurance contributions (NICs). Dividends are paid from company profits after corporation tax, aren’t subject to NICs, and are generally taxed at lower rates, but depend on business performance.
Upcoming Dividend Reporting Changes (2025–26)
Directors must report dividend income on the SA102 section of the Self Assessment tax return and disclose their percentage shareholding, essential for avoiding future tax issues.
National Insurance Updates
In 2025, the employee/director NI threshold dropped from £9,100 to £5,000, employer NIC rises to 15%, and employment allowance increases to £10,500 (claimable only if 2+ employees earn above £5,000).
Why Combine Salary and Dividends?
Using both provides stable income and tax efficiency. Salary helps reduce corporation tax, while dividends minimise personal tax and NICs, boosting your overall take-home pay.
Planning Tips
Forecast profits regularly, set a salary aligned with new NI thresholds, review your dividend strategy quarterly, and get tailored advice from Quove to suit your unique business needs.
Call us today and speak to a real person. No complicated words, no overwhelm, just friendly, expert help, locally.
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