With the 2025 Autumn Budget behind us and the final calls for MTD for Income Tax to be scrapped a distant memory, it’s time to turn to the practicalities.

Since recording HMRC have confirmed that there will be no late submission penalties for quarterly updates during tax year 2026-27. This means that the first wave of taxpayers joining MTD in April 2026 won’t need to worry about being late with their quarterly updates, at least in their first year.

In this episode of The Ledger Lounge, Katie and Matthew sit down with Paul from Xero to unpack one of the biggest upcoming changes in UK tax compliance: the next phase of Making Tax Digital (MTD).

Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord, or small business owner, MTD will shape how you maintain records and submit returns – and Xero is gearing up to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Paul demystifies what’s changing, when it’s happening, and what small businesses need to do now to get ready. He also shares insight into Xero’s toolkit, automation features, and practical workflows that will help business owners stay compliant with ease and turn MTD into an opportunity that can help your business.

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

This week on The Ledger Lounge, Matthew and Katie chat with Zoe Bordiuk, the powerhouse behind The Card Machine Queen — a UK-based independent consultant who’s made it her mission to help small businesses stop overpaying on their payment systems.

Zoe breaks down the mysteries of card machines, merchant fees, and payment contracts in plain English. You’ll learn what every accountant, bookkeeper, and business owner should know about payment processing — including how to spot hidden fees, choose smarter payment options, and integrate systems seamlessly with your accounting software.

If your clients (or your own business) accept card payments, this episode could literally save you money.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

Cybersecurity isn’t just for big corporations — small businesses are one of the top targets for hackers in 2025. But how can you protect your business without a massive IT budget?

In this episode of The Ledger Lounge, Tom, Katie and Matthew talk to Steve Cockcroft about the real-world cyber threats facing businesses today and the simple steps you can take to protect your data, your customers, and your reputation.

Steve is the founder of Cysec Professionals , a cybersecurity consultancy helping organisations protect against modern digital threats. With years of hands-on experience and a passion for educating businesses, Steve is known for making complex cyber issues simple and practical.

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

This episode is the last one of our first ever series, or is it season, of the Ledger Lounge. Topics for discussion include the relentless development and implications of AI in life and accounting, old fashioned telephones and of course, what we've learnt about podcasting.

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Oldham. Audio by Matt Dean with video by Eddie Corteen.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

In this episode Matthew, Katie and Lauren take a deeper dive into the positives and potential pitfalls of Making Tax Digital (MTD), as HMRC prepare to roll out phase one in April 2026.

NOV2025 UPDATE - Since recording HMRC have confirmed that there will be no late submission penalties for quarterly updates during tax year 2026-27. This means that the first wave of taxpayers joining MTD in April 2026 won’t need to worry about being late with their quarterly updates, at least in their first year.

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Oldham. Audio by Matt Dean with video by Eddie Corteen.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

In this episode, Matthew and Tom are joined by Sam from Swoop to discuss how they help SME's find the affordable finance they need to thrive and sometimes, survive.

Click here to access our Funding and Finance page, with access to our Swoop portal.

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Oldham. Audio by Matt Dean with video by Eddie Corteen.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

In this episode Matthew and Katie are again joined by Tom to discuss the benefits of getting on the pensions and savings train as early as possible.

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Oldham. Audio by Matt Dean with video by Eddie Corteen.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!

The Ledger Lounge is hosted by Matthew Taylor , Katie Allan and Lauren Thompson from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠James Scott Accountants ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

The only thing is Lauren couldn’t make it this time and so we drafted in the James Scott King, Tom the Don. Fresh from his exam success we discuss his route from 6th form to completing his ACCA exams. All achieved through apprenticeships.

It is recorded at and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KUPOD Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Oldham. Audio by Matt Dean with video by Eddie Corteen.

The Ledger Lounge – Friendly Disclaimer

Everything we chat about on The Ledger Lounge (and in these show notes!) is meant to be helpful, interesting, and easy to understand — but it’s not personal tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so always speak to a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything you hear in the show.

We do our best to keep things accurate and up to date, but rules and regulations can change. The views shared by our hosts and guests are just their own, so please don’t take them as official advice from any organisations we’re connected to.

Basically: enjoy the conversation, learn something new, but don’t make big decisions without proper guidance!