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.

Over half of self-employed don’t even know what IR35 is

Nearly 60 per cent of self-employed are unaware of IR35 tax changes coming in April 2020, which could reduce a worker’s net income by up to 25 per cent

Accounting

Ex-small business commissioner blames Whitehall for pushing him out

Paul Uppal, who stepped down in October, says government ignored his office, which he says needs more resources to tackle scourge of late payments

Accounting

Reclaiming pre-trade expenses

I have a home-based business idea. I need a computer to write my business plan (to support business post launch). Can I claim this expense back against tax when I eventually set up my limited company?

Accounting

Accountants alarmed by schoolboy howler in Labour manifesto for SMEs

Labour doesn’t understand difference between turnover and profit, say accountants, as Labour argues for corporation tax to kick in for small business with turnover in excess of £300,000

Tax

Sajid Javid warns Labour will extend inheritance tax to family businesses

Chancellor warns that Labour wants to stop family members inheriting small businesses – Labour denies any such plans as part of business taxes review

Tax

Labour pledges to scrap IR35 rollout to business … and then backtracks

Shadow small business minister Bill Esterson says Labour will review IR35 tax changes as they are rolled out to business, but backtracks on pledge to scrap

Tax

Sajid Javid cools talk of raising national insurance threshold to £12,500

Tory move to lift national insurance threshold to £12,500 would put nearly £700 each in the pockets of millions of small business workers

Accounting

6 top tips to prepare for IR35 tax changes – Small Business checklist

Nearly three-quarters of businesses are unaware of impending IR35 tax changes. Here are six top tips to help you prepare

Tax

Sajid Javid cools talk of raising national insurance threshold to £12,500

Tory move to lift national insurance threshold to £12,500 would put nearly £700 each in the pockets of millions of small business workers

Accounting

6 top tips to prepare for IR35 tax changes – Small Business checklist

Nearly three-quarters of businesses are unaware of impending IR35 tax changes. Here are six top tips to help you prepare

Accounting

Claiming mobile phone expenses as part of your business

What's the standard policy for mobile phones expenses? Can you claim back anything from the tax man for business mobile phone usage?

Tax

Small businesses call for HMRC to delay IR35 tax change

Federation of Small Businesses warns that corporates will pull plug on employing sole traders if controversial IR35 tax change goes ahead in April 2020

Accounting

How to wind up your personal service company ahead of IR35 legislation

Many freelance contractors will need to wind up their personal companies ahead of IR35 being rolled out to the private sector this April. John Bell offers a step-by-step guide as to what to do.

Business Loans