What’s the thing you dislike most about dealing with your own personal tax affairs? Other than the ever-present stress of getting your tax return done and dusted, don’t you just dread putting in phone calls to HMRC? I know I do. Dealing with even the most mundane of matters can eat into my precious working […]
Self-employed? 6 tips to boost your chances of getting a mortgage
Self-employment is an increasingly popular lifestyle and career choice for many. But while the benefits of being your own boss and the flexibility afforded are something to celebrate, the path can be littered with challenges. Obtaining a mortgage is one of them. It’s not easy. But, in my two-part blog series I help show you how […]
I’m self-employed. How can I prove my income for a mortgage?
Many people dream of becoming their own boss and enjoying the flexibility that self-employment affords. But when it comes to securing a mortgage, being classed as self-employed, rather than employed can seem like pushing water uphill. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that hard – it is possible to get a […]
Making Tax Digital – what you need to know
Digitalising the tax system has been a hot topic on the government’s agenda for several years now. My earlier blog “I’m a sole trader – will I need to submit 4 tax returns a year?” outlined the government’s initial proposals on Making Tax Digital (MTD). The last year has seen a huge response from the […]
Are you guilty of sabotaging self-employment?
It’s taken commitment, guts and talent to create something out of nothing. And that’s something to celebrate! But the self-employment path is littered with challenges. Things like market conditions, competition, and supply and demand remain outside our control. But often it’s the things we can actually control that we’re guilty of unintentionally sabotaging. Maybe it’s […]
Employed and self-employed – What tax will I pay?
You’re currently employed but want to start up a business as a sideline either because you are transitioning from a hobby or you’re keen to supplement your income. Either way, you’re ready to take the leap but haven’t quite got your head around the tax side of things. Am I right? The first thing to […]
Budget 2017: Key points for small business owners
It would appear that small businesses and the self-employed have once again come into the firing line through measures introduced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget. For the full 68 page report on the Budget 2017 you can click here. In the meantime, here are the key points affecting small business owners: Compliance with Making Tax […]
Payments on account – a guide for sole traders
Payments on account are one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the self-assessment process and although the intention is to help self-employed people spread out their tax bill, the advantages might not seem so apparent when you ‘re first asked to pay a whopping big tax bill up front. What are payments on account? […]