Could Your Business Be Missing Out on £10,500 in Employer NIC Savings?
If you’ve got staff on the payroll, there’s a good chance you could be saving money through the Employment Allowance – worth up to £10,500 in the 2025/26 tax year.Over 1.2 million businesses claimed it last year, but many are still missing out simply because they don’t realise they qualify.What is it?The Employment Allowance is a government scheme that cuts your employer’s National Insurance bill. The saving is applied automatically through your payroll, so you feel the benefit straig...
October 2, 2025October News Roundup
September has been a busy month for business and the economy, with headlines that could shape the months ahead. The government has launched a new “Budget board” to steer economic policy and rebuild confidence with business leaders, as speculation grows about what the next Budget will bring.On the high street, retail sales enjoyed a lift from warm weather and lower interest rates, but questions remain over whether this momentum can last through the all-important Christmas trading season. At t...
October 1, 2025Seven Things Every Company Director Needs to Know
Stepping into the role of a company director is exciting, but it also comes with serious responsibilities. Whether you’re a hands-on leader, a silent partner, or working behind the scenes, the Companies Act 2006 sets out clear legal duties for directors.Here are seven essentials every director should understand:1. Follow the company’s constitutionThe company’s constitution and articles of association aren’t just formalities — they set out the rules for how the business is run. Stray ou...
September 16, 2025The Business Exit Guide Every Owner Should Read Before Selling
Selling a business is never just a financial transaction. It’s the moment years of hard work and dedication are transformed into the next chapter of your life. Over recent months we’ve had the privilege of guiding several clients through this journey, helping them prepare, negotiate and ultimately achieve successful sales. What we’ve seen again and again is that early planning makes all the difference. It gives owners the confidence to take control of the process and the freedom to shape t...
August 5, 2025Children’s Savings: Giving Your Child a Head Start in Life
Children’s Savings: Giving Your Child a Head Start in Life Many parents want to give their children a solid financial start but aren’t always sure where to begin. The good news is that the UK tax system provides several savings and investment options specifically designed for children, each with different rules on access, tax treatment and contribution limits. Saving early isn’t just about putting money aside for an 18th birthday. It could reduce the need for expensive borrowing at univers...
July 16, 2025Personal Car Usage as a Sole Trader
As a sole trader, you may already own a car or be thinking of buying one for business purposes. If that’s the case, it’s important to understand how this is treated for tax and accounting purposes, and what steps you need to take to document things correctly.Introducing a Car into Your Sole Trader BusinessIf you already own a car or are thinking of buying one and start using it for business purposes, the vehicle remains your personal asset, but it becomes relevant for your business to the ex...
July 2, 2025Successfully Navigating a Business Merger or Acquisition
A merger or acquisition can be one of the biggest decisions a business ever makes. When done right, it can open new doors — expanding your market, strengthening your team, or unlocking fresh opportunities for growth. But it also comes with its share of complexity, from financial checks and legal frameworks to cultural alignment and integration planning.Our latest Spotlight Guide walks you through the process of navigating a merger or acquisition with confidence. It explains how to build a clea...
May 27, 2025Why Tech Professionals Are Quietly Overpaying Tax
If you work in tech, there's a good chance you're overpaying tax — and you may not even know it.Bonuses, RSUs, equity plans, side income, or rental property? These can all throw your tax situation off balance. Even if you’re on PAYE, HMRC's tax codes often lag behind, and you’re left picking up the pieces.That’s why we created a Self Assessment tax service designed specifically for employees in tech. Jargon-free, clear, and completely managed — so you can spend less time stressing over...
May 8, 2025Working from Home? Here’s How to Claim Back Some of Your Bills!
Ah, the joys of spring—the days are getting longer, the flowers are blooming, and oh look, your new council tax bill has just landed on the doormat, probably higher than ever! Just what you needed, right? With energy prices and household costs rising, every penny saved matters. The good news? If you run a small business from home, you might be able to claw some of that cash back from HMRC—legally, of course!Can You Claim Business Expenses for Using Your Home?If you own and manage a small bus...
March 18, 2025Clearing the "Fear Clutter": A Powerful Lesson in Business Growth
I just read an eye-opening newsletter by Dr. Izzy Sealey that introduced me to a concept that stopped me in my tracks: "Fear Clutter." Just like physical clutter can paralyze us in our homes, fear clutter fills our minds with "what-ifs" and "but maybes," creating mental chaos that stops us from moving forward.As Dr. Sealey beautifully explains, fear clutter is that mental pile-up of worries, doubts, and anxieties that we collect over time - much like those items we keep "just in case." But here'...
February 11, 2025How Mentorship and Fresh Perspectives Drive Growth
The Power of a Fresh PerspectiveAs small business owners, we often find ourselves wearing many hats— problem-solver, decision-maker, and everything in between. But no matter how experienced or capable we are, there’s one thing that can make all the difference: a fresh perspective.Whether it comes from a mentor, a trusted peer, or even a thought-provoking conversation, seeing things through someone else’s eyes can help us unlock ideas and opportunities we hadn’t considered before.Wh...
January 28, 2025Year End Tax Guide 2024/2025
As we near the end of the 2024/25 tax year, it’s a great time to review the financial changes that could impact your tax planning. This guide covers the main allowances, tax breaks, and exemptions available, along with some practical tips to help you take action. We’ve updated the information to reflect the latest changes in the law, so you’ll be well-informed as the year comes to a close. If you need more personalized advice or assistance with any of these suggestions, feel free to get in...
January 17, 2025The Importance of Aligning Purpose with Work
Running a small business is no small feat. As business owners, we often get caught up in the day-to-day grind: meeting deadlines, managing teams, and juggling a million responsibilities. But how often do we take a step back and ask ourselves the big question: Why am I doing this?This question hit me recently during the holiday season. With a little time to switch off and spend quality time with my family, I found myself reflecting on my business, my goals, and the bigger picture. It was a moment...
January 7, 2025Autumn Budget 2024 - A New Chapter
The Autumn Budget, delivered last week by Chancellor Rachel Reeves included several significant changes, highlights are:National Insurance: Employer rate up to 15% for salaries over £5,000 from April 2025; Employment Allowance rises to £10,500, reducing NI for small businesses.Minimum Wage: Increases to £12.21/hr for ages 21+, and significant raises for younger workers.Capital Gains Tax: Rates now 18% (lower) and 24% (higher).Inheritance Tax: Threshold freezes extended until 2030, with reform...
November 6, 2024How books helped my personal journey.
There’s something really great about a book, films and audio books are great but they don’t leave as much to the imagination. A great book or article is an immersive experience, your mind starts to determine the voice which is being read back to you, the image of the characters and the words jump off the page and become mechanics of the stories. They are the home of fact but also the space of continuous imagination, a place to escape reality or create a world where anything is possible....
September 6, 2024Why being memorable matters
In a world where everyone’s competing for attention, standing out is key. Whether you’re at work or hanging out with friends, making yourself memorable can really give you an edge. Those people who stick in our minds often end up being the ones we look to for advice and inspiration. Here’s how you can be one of them:1. Nail That First ImpressionYou’ve heard it a million times: first impressions count. Before you meet someone new, do a little homework. Find out who they are and think of w...
August 1, 2024Why Networking is a important for Small Business Owners
Let’s talk about something that’s often talked about in business circles but can feel a bit elusive: networking. Yes, we know, the term might conjure up images of stuffy conferences, awkward small talk, and a stack of business cards collecting dust. But trust us, networking is way more than just swapping business cards and LinkedIn invites. Let’s dive into why networking is essential for your business.1. Connections Lead to OpportunitiesThink of networking like planting seeds. Every conver...
June 28, 2024Understanding Economic Change - Strategies to help your business
Understanding the current economic changes is crucial for businesses to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Recent data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and decisions by the Bank of England have provided a mixed picture of the economic landscape. Here's a breakdown of the key points and their implications for businesses, along with strategies to adapt effectively.Growth in the EconomyThe economy grew by 0.6% from January to March 2024, a positive sign following a 0.9% increa...
May 21, 2024A guide to help this Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month.What is Stress? It is perceived as a bad thing but actually, without the ability to experience stress, mankind wouldn't have survived. Stress releases the hormones that give us the fight or flight mode we use daily.How do we recognise stress? What are the key signs?How does stress affect us? Our cognitive reactions, our physical movements as well as our behaviour and emotions?Coping with stress will differ for each of us, depending on our triggers, but this ...
April 5, 2024Tax Rate Cards - 2024/2025
Tax Rates giving you a headache? Don’t worry if you’re stuck working out your tax rates for the next financial year. We have put together some simple to follow tax rate cards for guidance. The cards are based on the Spring Budget announcement delivered by Jeremy Hunt a few weeks ago.If you are looking for any specific Tax Planning advice, why not get in touch with the team....
March 27, 2024Sole trader or limited company? Here are your pros and cons
If you are having a hard time deciding whether to register as a sole trader or limited company, we have some advice on both the definition and the pros and cons of each choice....
March 22, 2024Spring Budget 2024
The Spring Budget, delivered by Jeremy Hunt this week, included several key measures that will affect you and your business. Headlines include:Tax on Savings and Dividend Income:Savings and dividend allowances set at £1,000 and £500, respectively.Reduction in the dividend allowance from £1,000 to £500 in 2024/25.High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC):Thresholds for HICBC increased with a slower rate of clawback.Plans to administer HICBC based on total household income by April 2026.Em...
March 8, 2024How we can help you submit your tax return easily
Are you feeling exasperated and struggling to get your tax return submitted? The tax year end shouldn't feel fretful and so we are going to talk you through how we help our clients make tax returns a breeze!...
January 9, 2024What is Capital Gains Tax?
Capital gains refer to the profits earned from the sale of certain assets, including investment properties(not your main residence), stocks, shares, and the sale of businesses. Capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax imposed on these profits.As of October 2021, there are specific rules for reporting capital gains, especially on the sale of second homes. Gains related to property sales must be declared within 60 days of the sale, and any tax owed must be paid promptly. If gains not related to property, ...
December 6, 2023Autumn Statement 2023 - What does this mean for you and your business?
The Autumn Statement delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on November 22, 2023, included several key headlines and measures:1. National Insurance Contribution (NIC) Cuts:The main rate of Class 1 NICs for employees earning more than £12,570 a year will be reduced from 12% to 10% starting from January 6, 2024.The Class 1 NIC rate will remain at 2% for earnings above £50,270 a year.Self-employed individuals will experience a cut in ...
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