Is your business ready to go viral? The financial risks (and rewards) of sudden success
The annual search for the UK’s most amusingly named small business is back, with entries flooding in for Simply Business’s £2,500 prize.
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READ MOREIs your business ready to go viral? The financial risks (and rewards) of sudden success
Mandatory payrolling of Benefits in Kind delayed by HMRC
The delay to payrolling Benefits in Kind (BIK) to 2027 may seem like a cause of relief for many businesses who are concerned about the extra responsibility the changes will bring, but employers should still prepare for this landmark change.…
Kittel VAT: How to control the uncontrollable
Receiving a Kittel VAT notice is something that many businesses dread. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can demand the repayment of tax already reclaimed, and this can sometimes amount to a significant amount of money. The notice comes when a…
Increased borrowing could mean increased taxes, experts warn
Public borrowing hit £20.5 billion in April, the highest level for that month since 1993 and nearly £3 billion above forecast. Economists warn the Chancellor may have little choice but to plug the gap with tax rises, spending cuts or…
Could the new IHT rules damage your business’s value on paper?
The Government’s decision to halve Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) from April 2026 is already changing how family businesses and farms operate.
How to prepare for an unexpected economic recovery
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded the UK’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 1.2 per cent, citing a strong first-quarter performance and signs of a recovering economy. The official figures indicate that increases in customer spending and business investment…
Identity crisis – Companies House begins to verify identities
On 8 April 2025, Companies House introduced identity verification for those who make filings on behalf of a business. It is currently a voluntary process, but will become mandatory for new businesses by the end of the year and mandatory…
Too many sole traders are still missing out on their State Pension
How much State Pension you get depends on your National Insurance (NI) record when you reach the State Pension age. Gaps in your NI record could affect how much you receive. Unfortunately, too many sole traders are still missing out…
Three easy ways to manage your directors’ loan accounts
It is not uncommon for directors of a company to take loans from the business during each financial year, often to cover unexpected bills. However, you must keep track of any directors’ loans – money withdrawn from the company that…
Making Tax Digital – Is your business ready for HMRC’s next big shake-up?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the Government’s initiative designed to streamline and digitise tax reporting in the UK. While the MTD scheme has been in force for the past few years, changes are approaching, particularly for sole traders, self-employed individuals,…
Are rising tax arrears putting your business at risk?
Businesses in the UK are facing increasing financial strain, with new data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) showing that tax arrears have hit £28 billion per month on average across the first quarter of 2025.
Do you need to report that loan? The £10,000 rule and P11D implications
Many businesses routinely offer financial support to their directors or employees in the form of loans.
The countdown to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – Who is affected first?
With less than a year to go before Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) becomes mandatory for sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000, it is important to start preparing.
Understanding linked periods of sickness and how they affect payroll
When it comes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), most payroll teams are confident in calculating payments for a single period of absence.
Are we underestimating the real impact of workplace pressure?
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and an important opportunity to reflect on how we manage wellbeing in the workplace.