Category

Financing

The financing channel looks at the different small business funding options available to start-up companies and established SME businesses looking to grow. Read a wealth of guides and tips to help manage your accounts and cash flow better, views on the future of business banking and where to source alternative finance.

How to reduce the impact of the 1.25% National Insurance rise

Nick Bustin and Dinesh Pancholi explain how to reduce the impact of the National Insurance rise coming in April

Tax

Tax

Five small business taxes you need to know about

Here, FreeAgent's Emily Coltman presents five small business taxes that you need to know about.

Tax

Sunak eyes reining in small business R&D tax credits

Chancellor frustrated at the lack of investment by small businesses, despite offering what he says is one of the most generous tax regimes for R&D investment in the world

Alternative finance

Borrowing money to pay for stock: inventory finance, credit cards, loans and more

We explore the options that are available to help you cover the costs of your stock as well as the pros and cons.

Tax

IR35: How the controversial tax changes have left self-employment on the ropes

Have last year's IR35 changes been any good for the UK's self-employed? Absolutely not, says Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at IPSE

Tax

Freelancers could avoid tax because of IR35 loophole

Employers who wrongly classify self-employed as being outside IR35 will have to cover their PAYE and National Insurance, says HMRC, meaning tens of thousands of freelancers could avoid paying any tax at all

Small Business Banking

5 benefits of using a business bank account over a personal account

In this article, we take a look at five reasons you should be using a business bank account over a personal account

Government Grants

Councils sitting on £1bn of unspent Covid grants

Local authorities still have £850m worth of Covid grants worth up to £6,000 owing to hospitality pre-Omicron to distribute plus another £350m unspent from previous pandemic financial support

Small Business Banking

5 benefits of using a business bank account over a personal account

In this article, we take a look at five reasons you should be using a business bank account over a personal account

Government Grants

Councils sitting on £1bn of unspent Covid grants

Local authorities still have £850m worth of Covid grants worth up to £6,000 owing to hospitality pre-Omicron to distribute plus another £350m unspent from previous pandemic financial support

News

Businesses struggling to repay £20bn of Covid loans

Accountancy firm Azets says businesses struggling to repay Covid-19 debt may default on £20bn of Covid loans, on top of the £4bn worth of fraud the Government already predicts

Accounting

The importance of credit control 

Keep your small business cash flowing through this handy guide to best-practice credit control

Tax

Just nine people trialing digital tax for self-employed

This is despite Making Tax Digital for income tax being rolled out to 2.4m people in 2024, many of whom are unaware of what's happening

Tax

How to challenge your business rates

It’s up to you to challenge if you think you’re being asked too much in business rates. Steve Hughes of RVA Surveyors says it’s worth doing.

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Business Technology

Friendly guide – top tips for small businesses switching to VoIP

With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!

Export & Import

Avoid delays with exports and imports

Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world