Category Archives: HMRC

Why Allowable Expenses aren’t always Black and White

expenses

When it comes to allowable expenses, things aren’t always as straightforward as we’d like. The idea of reducing your tax bill by claiming legitimate expenses is appealing, but what happens when those expenses fall into a grey area? In this blog, we’ll explore some of the trickier expenses that aren’t always black and white, and

Demystifying tax codes: a business owner’s guide to 1257L and 0T

tax codes

When you dreamed of running your own business, you probably didn’t kick your heels in delight for the day you’d have to deal with tax codes! While a good understanding of them is needed to avoid paying more tax than necessary, they’re really not as complicated as they seem. Let’s look at how to find

Dividend tax: what is it and how does it impact your business?

dividend tax

As a limited company owner, you’ll most likely pay yourself using a combination of salary and dividends. While it’s often the most tax-efficient way to withdraw money, be careful! Dividends have different tax rules compared to a normal salary. Don’t worry – we’re going to walk through what they mean for your business and how

What should your accountant check at Year-End?

year-end check

As the end of the financial year rolls around, it’s super important to make sure your business’s financial records are spot on. This is where your accountant steps in, performing a bunch of key checks to wrap up your accounts. These checks help prepare accurate financial statements and ensure your business stays compliant with the

What can I claim if I’m working from home?

home office, DNA, accountants,
Making a claim for Working from Home Can I claim tax relief for my goldfish, Bubbles, who keeps me company when I’m working from home? We have been asked some odd questions over the years, especially when it comes to claiming expenses of having a home office. Making a claim to your business for working

How long do I need to keep business invoices?

invoices

“How long do I need to keep business invoices?” This is a question that new sole traders and company directors often ask. Before we answer that question, we think it is probably more important to clarify just what invoices you need to keep! Keeping hold of invoices issued by your business is necessary for a

Flat Rate VAT has changed….

….Are you aware of the changes? The VAT Flat Rate Scheme simplifies businesses’ record keeping, and makes it easy to work out the VAT they have to pay. However as of 1st April 2017 the scheme changed, as announced by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement last year. So, how does it work? Normally a

Self-Assessment Tax Return Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.

self-assessment

There are a number of common self-assesment / tax return mistakes that can hold things up (possibly leading to a penalty fee), cause you problems or even prompt HMRC to look more closely at you. So it’s best to be aware of them and make sure you don’t make them! The easiest way to avoid