{"id":176,"date":"2025-11-19T05:26:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T05:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/?p=176"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:42:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:42:17","slug":"how-to-turn-website-visitors-into-loyal-customers-through-smart-ux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/how-to-turn-website-visitors-into-loyal-customers-through-smart-ux\/","title":{"rendered":"The Great Business Rates Shake-Up: What the Latest Budget Means for Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bot-name gds-title-s ng-tns-c3940251106-320 ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"response-content ng-tns-c3940251106-320\">\n<div class=\"thoughts-container\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div id=\"model-response-message-contentr_f7a8830a0708eb57\" class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel stronger enable-updated-hr-color\" dir=\"ltr\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"false\">\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"0\">HMRC\u2019s New &#8220;Points Mean Prizes&#8221; (But Not the Kind You Want!) \ud83c\udfaf<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"1\">Hello, tax adventurers! As your resident Chartered Accountant and lover of all things fiscal, I\u2019m here to navigate you through the latest twists and turns in the HMRC landscape.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"2\">If you\u2019ve been following the news, you\u2019ll know that the old &#8220;flat-rate&#8221; penalty system is being retired in favor of something that looks suspiciously like a driving license penalty point system. It\u2019s designed to be &#8220;fairer&#8221;\u2014penalizing the serial procrastinators while giving the occasional &#8220;oops&#8221; a bit of a break.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"3\">But don\u2019t let the friendly &#8220;points&#8221; name fool you; reach the threshold and you\u2019ll find yourself with a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"103\">\u00a3200 fine<\/b>\u00a0and a very grumpy accountant (me).<\/p>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"4\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"5\">1. The &#8220;Points-Based&#8221; Penalty System: How It Works<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\">HMRC is rolling this out to encourage regular digital reporting under\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"70\">Making Tax Digital (MTD)<\/b>. Instead of an immediate \u00a3100 fine for being one day late, you now accrue &#8220;points.&#8221;<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"7\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">1 Late Submission = 1 Point.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Threshold Reached = \u00a3200 Fine.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Every Late Submission\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"22\">after<\/i>\u00a0the threshold = Another \u00a3200 Fine.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8\">The threshold depends on how often you are required to file. For those of you entering the\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"91\">2026\/27 tax year<\/b>, here is your scorecard:<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"9\">Penalty Thresholds by Filing Frequency<\/h3>\n<div class=\"horizontal-scroll-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"table-block-component\">\n<div class=\"table-block has-export-button\">\n<div class=\"table-content not-end-of-paragraph\">\n<table data-path-to-node=\"10\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0,0\">Submission Frequency<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,0,1,0\">Points Threshold<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,0,2,0\">Period of Compliance to Reset<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Annual<\/b>\u00a0(Standard Self-Assessment)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,1,1,0\">2 Points<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,1,2,0\">24 Months<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Quarterly<\/b>\u00a0(VAT &amp; MTD for Income Tax)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,2,1,0\">4 Points<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,2,2,0\">12 Months<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,3,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,3,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Monthly<\/b>\u00a0(Some VAT filers)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,3,1,0\">5 Points<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"10,3,2,0\">6 Months<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"table-footer hide-from-message-actions\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"11\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Pro Tip:<\/b>\u00a0Your points for VAT and Income Tax are kept in\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"11,0\" data-index-in-node=\"56\">separate buckets<\/b>. Being late with a VAT return won&#8217;t add points to your Income Tax record, and vice-versa! Check your status directly on the\u00a0<a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/penalties-for-late-submission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HMRC website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"12\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"13\">2. The 2026\/27 &#8220;Grace Period&#8221; \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\">HMRC knows that moving to MTD for Income Tax (ITSA) is a big jump for sole traders and landlords. If you have a qualifying income over\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"14\" data-index-in-node=\"135\">\u00a350,000<\/b>, you are mandated to join from\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"14\" data-index-in-node=\"174\">6 April 2026<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"15\"><b data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">The Good News:<\/b>\u00a0For the\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"23\">2026\/27 tax year<\/b>, HMRC has confirmed a &#8220;soft landing.&#8221; Late submission penalties for the\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"112\">quarterly updates<\/b>\u00a0will generally not be charged in this first year. This gives you time to get your software talking to HMRC without the fear of instant points.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16\"><b data-path-to-node=\"16\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">The Catch:<\/b>\u00a0This grace period usually only applies to the\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"16\" data-index-in-node=\"57\">submission<\/i>\u00a0of the quarterly updates.\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"16\" data-index-in-node=\"94\">Late payment penalties<\/b>\u00a0and interest still apply from Day 1. Don&#8217;t mistake a filing extension for a payment holiday!<\/p>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"17\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"18\">3. Late Payment Penalties: The &#8220;Double Whammy&#8221; \ud83d\udcb8<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"19\">While submission points are about\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"19\" data-index-in-node=\"34\">timeliness<\/i>, payment penalties are about the\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"19\" data-index-in-node=\"78\">money<\/i>. This is where it gets expensive. Starting from the 2025\/26 and 2026\/27 years, the rates have tightened.<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"20\">The Late Payment Escalation<\/h3>\n<div class=\"code-block ng-tns-c4209431741-325 ng-animate-disabled ng-trigger ng-trigger-codeBlockRevealAnimation\">\n<div class=\"formatted-code-block-internal-container ng-tns-c4209431741-325\">\n<div class=\"animated-opacity ng-tns-c4209431741-325\">\n<pre class=\"ng-tns-c4209431741-325\"><code class=\"code-container formatted ng-tns-c4209431741-325\" role=\"text\" data-test-id=\"code-content\">[ Due Date ] -&gt; Interest starts accruing immediately\r\n      |\r\n[ Day 16 ]  -&gt; 3% Penalty on the balance\r\n      |\r\n[ Day 31 ]  -&gt; Additional 3% Penalty (6% Total)\r\n      |\r\n[ Day 31+ ] -&gt; Daily \"Second Penalty\" at 10% per annum\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"22\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"23\">4. How to Avoid the &#8220;Trap&#8221; \ud83e\udea4<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"24\">The best way to stay out of the HMRC &#8220;Naughty Corner&#8221; is to be proactive.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" data-path-to-node=\"25\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"25,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"25,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Get MTD-Compatible Software:<\/b>\u00a0You can no longer rely on a shoebox of receipts. Use software that links directly to HMRC.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"25,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"25,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Set Up a &#8220;Time to Pay&#8221; (TTP) Arrangement:<\/b>\u00a0If you can&#8217;t pay, tell HMRC\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"25,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"70\">before<\/i>\u00a0the deadline. If a TTP is agreed within the first 15 days, you can often avoid the late payment penalties entirely.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"25,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"25,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">The &#8220;Good Compliance&#8221; Reset:<\/b>\u00a0If you hit the threshold, you aren&#8217;t stuck there forever. If you file everything on time for a set period (e.g., 12 months for quarterly filers) and catch up on old returns, your points reset to\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"25,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"224\">zero<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"26\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"27\">The &#8220;I Forgot&#8221; Scenario \ud83e\udd26\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"28\">Imagine &#8220;Landlord Larry.&#8221; Larry earns \u00a355,000 in rent. In May 2026, he forgets his first MTD quarterly update.<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"29\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"29,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"29,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Old System:<\/b>\u00a0Immediate \u00a3100 fine.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"29,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"29,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">New System:<\/b>\u00a01 Point (but in 2026\/27, the fine is waived).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"29,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"29,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Result:<\/b>\u00a0Larry learns his lesson, buys some software, and doesn&#8217;t pay a penny in fines.\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"29,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"87\">Score: 1 &#8211; 0 to Larry.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"30\">Tax doesn&#8217;t have to be a horror story\u2014it&#8217;s just about knowing the rules of the game!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HMRC is rolling this out to encourage regular digital reporting under\u00a0Making Tax Digital (MTD). Instead of an immediate \u00a3100 fine for being one day late, you now accrue &#8220;points.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":177,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tax","tag-tax"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":961,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176\/revisions\/961"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fm-connect1.fortmindz.in\/wp-godwin-pinto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}