Lunchtime learning with the SoA Advisory Team – Making tax digital with HW Fisher

From April 2026, the way you report your income is changing. Making Tax Digital (MTD) will require many authors to move away from the traditional annual tax return in favour of digital record-keeping and quarterly updates.

If the prospect of more frequent reporting feels daunting, you are not alone. Join Andy Levett, Principal at accounting and tax specialists HW Fisher, for this timely webinar designed to demystify the new rules and take the stress out of your finances.

With over 20 years of experience looking after the accounts and tax affairs of authors and creatives, Andy will break down the jargon and give you clear guidance to ensure you are ‘MTD-ready’

Not a member, sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20 per cent off for the first year of membership – use code SOAATHOME20.

Programme

• Welcome and introductions from Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive, SoA (2 mins)
• Presentation by Andy Levett, HW Fisher (40 mins)
• Q&A with audience (15 mins)
• Summary and closing comments from Sarah Burton, SoA (3 mins)
• This event will be moderated by Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive, SoA

Who is this session for?

• Emerging and established authors who want to get ahead of the 2026 changes.
• Authors earning near the MTD income thresholds or with property interests.
  (£50k for 2024/25 income, reducing to £30k for 25/26 income)

What will this session cover?

• Who needs to use the new MTD system and when
• Potential exemptions
• The new record keeping and reporting requirements explained
• How to choose the right accounting software for your needs

Send us your questions

If you would like to send questions in advance, email Sarah Burton at SBurton@societyofauthors.org with ‘Making tax digital’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.

SoA Fundraising Bookshop

Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in our events programme. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Society of Authors’ Access Fund, giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats.

The Line-up

Andy Levett, HW Fisher

With two decades of experience, Andy manages the accounts and tax affairs for individuals and owner-managed businesses in the creative and entertainment sectors. He represents a range of writers, musicians, and actors, from newcomers to household names, and particularly enjoys helping them smoothly transition from start-up to successful business.

Sarah Burton, SoA

Sarah Burton is the Deputy Chief Executive at SoA. Sarah also leads the advisory team and advises members on all business aspects of the writing profession, including vetting contracts. As co-coordinator of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group, she has a particular interest in industry issues affecting creators of children’s books.

Need to know

Accessibility

• Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
• If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org

Before the event

• Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
• If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
• Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails

During the event

• This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
• This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
• Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript
• This event is 60 minutes

After the event

• Hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
• SoA Members and paid attendees of this event will be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel (password protected) or members can access via the SoA website.

Booking

SoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID, please email info@societyofauthors.org.

Non-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below, complete the registration form, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment.

For event or registration questions, email events@societyofauthors.org.

SoA Members – Free

Non-Members – £15