You’re a sole trader. You’ve made it this far with your small business accounts preparation and you can feel the end in sight. But, come to working out what you can and cannot claim as an expense (for tax purposes) and that sense of achievement starts to diminish. You’re baffled by the rules and you’re not quite sure […]
A Tax Return Checklist (part 2)
If the thought of completing a tax return feels scary and overwhelming right now. If, just hearing the word “tax” sends your heart racing. Let me start by saying that you’re not alone. It’s entirely normal to feel like you should be coping with everything that running a small business entails. I know I do! […]
A Tax Return Checklist (part 1)
It’s that time of year again. Goodness only knows where you’ve put that receipt, what you could or should be claiming for, how you’ll get through your tax return with your sanity intact. Sound familiar? To ease you into that zone of inner calm, I have put together a 2 part guide (part 2 will be […]
Can I claim for my food and drink expenses?
Running your own small business is tough at the best of times but trying to fathom what you can and cannot claim for your business costs and expenses can seem like an impossible task. Food and drink costs are no exception and the rules around claiming these costs as a sole trader can seem complicated […]
Making your charitable donations go further
There has been a spate of charitable giving in my household recently. My girls have just come back from a 10km run, supporting a charity close to our hearts. There have been trips to Naomi House with clothes that no longer fit and toys they’ve outgrown. On the global scale, we’ve seen disaster appeals for the earthquake […]
You’re a sole trader – do you really need an Accountant?
You’re a sole trader with a small business – do you really need an Accountant? You may be surprised to learn that there is no mandatory requirement for sole traders to use an Accountant and, there will be many occasions when you can confidently forge ahead on your own steam. But, can you dispense entirely of […]
3 Simple ways to save tax (honestly)!
You may have made that leap into self-employment or perhaps you’ve been juggling an employed role with a small home business at the side. Either way it’s been maddening watching a portion of that hard-earned income disappearing out of your bank account to pay the taxman. Wouldn’t you agree? None of us like paying tax […]
What the 2015 Summer Budget means for Sole Traders
Have you been left wondering why we’ve just had yet another Budget this year and what it all means for sole trader businesses and you personally? We did have a Budget back in March this year but after a new government has been elected the Chancellor traditionally has to announce a new one. The difference was […]
Pricing your product or service – 3 common pitfalls to avoid
Pricing your product or service can be so tricky. There’s your goal – to build a profitable, sustainable business. At the same time you’re working at making yourself both affordable and accessible to customers who value your product or service. But, at times, do you wonder whether you’ve got it right? If your price is too […]
5 sole trader bookkeeping mistakes to avoid
It’s taken commitment, guts and talent to create something out of nothing. I know from personal experience that’s no mean feat. It’s seriously hard work. You’re juggling more things than sometimes seems possible. You’re trying to do it all. And I’ll bet there have been times that you’ve wanted to throw in the towel. Am I […]