Quarterly BAS Due (July–September)
Form 1099-NEC & Contractor Payment Reporting Check
Why this matters.
Almost every UK retailer and online seller uses price reductions, ‘was/now’ comparisons, ‘sale’ banners or ‘up to 50% off’ claims. Since 6 April 2025, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act) has replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 with a direct ban on unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions and omissions about price. A reference price that was never genuinely charged, or was only charged briefly to make a later discount look bigger, can mislead consumers into buying. The Price Marking Order 2004 separately requires that selling prices are clearly displayed and unambiguous.
The big change is enforcement: the Competition and Markets Authority can now investigate and fine businesses directly, without going to court, with penalties of up to 10% of global annual turnover for consumer law breaches. Trading Standards retain their existing powers too. The CMA and Trading Standards have both signalled that misleading price promotions are an enforcement priority, and the CMA’s pricing practices guidance expects that any ‘was’ price should be a genuine price at which the product was actually offered for a meaningful period. Small businesses are not exempt, so it is worth checking your promotion practices before your next sale event rather than after a complaint.
