In order to help you, we have prepared a list of article which contain useful information. Browse our guides below:

Articles on VAT and how it may apply

VAT Annual Accounting Scheme

HMRC have introduced a number of VAT schemes over the years designed to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses. One such scheme is the

Group VAT Registration

VAT grouping occurs where two or more companies or limited liability partnerships are treated as a single taxable “person” for VAT purposes. A VAT group

VAT

VAT registered businesses act as unpaid tax collectors and are required to account both promptly and accurately for all the tax revenue collected by them.

VAT Flat Rate Scheme

The flat rate scheme for small businesses was introduced to reduce the administrative burden imposed when operating VAT. Under the scheme a set percentage is

VAT Do’s and Don’ts

DO keep a monthly record of your turnover – late registration can result in severe penalties DO notify your local VAT office when major changes

VAT – How to Survive the Enforcement Powers

Although some of the penalties for VAT infringements have been less severe in recent years, there is still an alarming array of enforcement powers to

VAT – Bad Debt Relief

It is quite possible within the VAT system for a business to be in the position of having to pay over VAT to HMRC while

Recovering VAT on Staff Expenses

Although the VAT rules normally prevent you reclaiming VAT on supplies that are not made direct to you, there are certain circumstances when the rules

The Value of Outsourcing

Most business owner-managers find that they spend only a small percentage of their time on important strategic planning. A great deal of their effort is

Six steps to an effective business plan

If your business is running perfectly, wastes no money, is making maximum profit and dominates its market, then you can pat yourself on the back

Keeping an Eye on Your Cashflow

Cash is the lifeblood of a business, but with so much emphasis usually put on profitability, it can be easy to overlook this fact. Of

How to Increase your Profit

In business, your profits are your reward for your endeavours. In fact, profitability is one of the essential measures of a business’ success. Profits are

Expansion – is your business ready?

There are many situations where a business would benefit from expansion. Whether it is because of increased demand for a service or product, adapting to

Using us as your Business Adviser

Viewing your accountant as a business adviser, not just as a professional trained in traditional accountancy and tax compliance services, could boost your company’s bottom

Running your Own Business

If you are thinking of running your own business, you should start by discussing your plans with an experienced accountancy firm that can give you

Preparing your Business Plan

Planning is: Taking prudent, calculated risks rather than blindly reacting to events Making the best use of available resources Setting a path to achieve the

Limited Liability Partnerships

Most important features of LLPs The key advantage of a LLP compared with a traditional partnership is that the members of the LLP (it is

Incorporation

The issue of whether to run your business as a company or a sole trader or partnership is an important one. In this factsheet, we

Forming a Limited Company

Although you can set up a company using your own resources, it is normally advisable to use a specialist formation agent. You first need to

An Introduction to the Tax System for the Self Employed

Registering with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) If you start working for yourself, you must register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of

Allowable Expenses

We are often asked: “What expenses can I claim now that I am self employed?”. The rather glib answer is “anything that relates to your

Venture Capital Trusts

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are complementary to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), in that both are designed to encourage private individuals to invest in smaller

VCT, EIS and SEIS Compared

The reliefs for Venture Capital Trusts (VCT), the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are similar in many respects, but there

Tax-Free Childcare

The government has introduced a tax incentive for childcare, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC). Overview Under TFC the tax relief available is 20% of the costs of

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) provides tax relief for individuals prepared to invest in new and growing companies. It is the junior version of

Property Investment – Buy to Let

In recent years, the stock market has had its ups and downs. Add to this the serious loss of public confidence in pension funds as

Pensions – Tax Reliefs

Types of pension schemes There are two broad types of pension schemes from which an individual may eventually be in receipt of a pension: Workplace

Pensions – Automatic Enrolment

What is automatic enrolment? Automatic enrolment places duties on employers to automatically enrol ‘workers’ into a work-based pension scheme. The main duties are: assessing the

Individual Savings Accounts

Successive governments, concerned at the relatively low level of savings in the UK economy have over the years introduced various means by which individuals can

Enterprise Investment Scheme

The purpose of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is to help certain types of small higher-risk unquoted trading companies to raise capital. It does so

Capital Gains Tax

A capital gain arises when certain capital (or ‘chargeable’) assets are sold at a profit. The gain is the sale proceeds (net of selling costs)

Capital Gains Tax on Disposal of Chattels

The term ‘chattel’ refers to an item of tangible movable property. It would therefore include: Items of household furniture Paintings, antiques, items of crockery and

Are you Still on Track for Retirement?

Most of us can remember the day we left school or university to begin our working life. However, today you may be closer to retirement

Capital Gains Tax and the Family Home

The capital gains tax (CGT) exemption for gains made on the sale of your home is one of the most valuable reliefs from which many

Does your Estate Planning Pass the Test?

It is never too early to plan your estate. If it is large, it could be exposed to inheritance tax at 40%, and if it

Furnished Holiday Lettings

Different tax rules apply to income from letting property, which is generally taxed under the property income rules. For many years, the Furnished Holiday Lettings

Giving to Charity

Gift Aid Gift Aid is the main vehicle for tax-efficient giving to charities. It can apply to any donation whether large or small, regular or

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is payable by the purchaser in a land transaction which occurs in Scotland. These types of transaction would include