Content Marketing 2023 (Must-Read Guide!)

High-performance content marketing lies at the intersection of data insights, market and product knowledge and creativity. But while the concept of content marketing is generally well recognised and understood, effective implementation can still elude many businesses, leaving content performance and impact lacking. Content marketing in 2023 Content marketing is the strategic approach to creating and […]

Corporate Branding for SMEs

Corporate branding is just as important for start-ups and SMEs as it is for larger companies.  By branding we mean your visual identity – the physical, recognisable markers that distinguish you from your competitors. It’s usually made up of your logo, along with the specific colours, fonts and images you use to identify and promote […]

Non Dom Tax Status (What does it Mean?)

What is a ‘non-dom’ and how is it connected to your tax status? A person’s domicile is an important factor when it comes to deciding on their tax status. The term ‘non-dom’ is used to describe a person who for tax purposes has a domicile outside the UK. The non-dom status generally brings with it […]

How to Close a Business

Whether you are retiring, ready for your next challenge or your business has not been the financial success that you initially hoped it would be, there are a number of requirements that must be fulfilled in order to formally close a business. In this guide, we explain the steps that must be taken to close […]

What is an Interest in Possession Trust?

Setting up a trust can be an ideal way to control and protect family assets, ensuring these assets are passed to future generations, while minimising liability to inheritance tax on death. However, there are various types of trusts to choose from, with different practical, legal and financial implications. The following guide on interest in possession […]

Loans to Shareholders Rules

It is not uncommon for business-owners to want to borrow money from their company from time to time, and it is important to know how these types of loans work in practice. The following guide to the rules on businesses loaning to shareholders, or director-shareholders, looks at what is allowed, what interest should be charged, […]

Mileage Allowance Rules 2023

If using a car for work purposes, it’s important to understand the rules on what can be claimed back and how much. This guide covers everything you need to know about the mileage allowance rules, from the fundamentals of claiming car mileage, to who can claim and the mileage rates for hybrid and electric cars. […]

Can You Claim Property & Trading Allowances?

When in receipt of either self-employed income or income from letting out property as a landlord, you may eb eligible to reduce your tax liability through tax-free allowances such as trading allowance and property allowance.   What is the trading allowance? The trading allowance, or trading income allowance, is a tax-free allowance against income from […]

Why Now is the Best Time to Do Your Will & Estate Planning

Making sure that your assets – property, belongings and capital – are protected by your will and estate planning can become a complicated process when tackling the many and varied tax laws regarding the issue of inheritance, especially where your estate features a diverse portfolio of assets such as property, shares and savings. Whilst the […]

Private Residence Relief When Selling Your Home

In most cases, when a person disposes of an asset in the UK, including both residential or commercial property, they will be liable to pay tax on any capital gains made on that disposal. However, under the private residence relief rules, a qualifying homeowner can often avoid paying Capital Gains Tax altogether when selling their […]

What are Preference Shares?

Preference shares hold status as a special class of share, affording specific advantages to those purchasing them. The following guide on preference shares looks at what these are, the different types, how these differ to ordinary shares, and how preference shares are treated in the event of bankruptcy. We also provide a useful summary of […]

Dormant Company Requirements

Even if a company is dormant, there are still a number of filing and reporting obligations that arise in relation to both HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Companies House. As a business owner, it’s therefore important to know what these obligations are and when these arise, to ensure compliance at all times, regardless of […]

Sole Trader Tax Rules 2023

Among the responsibilities of working for yourself is ensuring you meet your sole trader tax liabilities. The following guide on sole trader tax provides a look at the rules relating to income tax, national insurance contributions and VAT for self-employed workers, from what rates of tax you will be liable to pay on your trading […]

Estate Planning & Wills: Where Should You Start?

While the prospect of passing away is an unwanted thought, it’s important to plan ahead, both to make the process of managing your estate easier for your loved ones, and to ensure your wishes are carried out. Anticipating things like how your care home costs will be covered and making financial provision for those that […]

Business Tax Planning Guide

Whatever stage your business is at, tax planning can provide significant reductions in your tax bill. UK tax rules and reliefs are, however, complicated and it can be difficult – and time-consuming – for business owners to know where to start in trying to improve tax efficiency and ensuring all aspects of your company’s finance […]

Enterprise Management Incentives: EMI Scheme Guide

Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) are just one of a number of tax-advantaged employee share schemes allowing employers to share company ownership with their staff. The EMI scheme is specifically aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping SMEs to recruit and retain the key talent that they need to scale up effectively in an otherwise […]

ATED: Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings

The rules on Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) can be technical and complex. The following ‘at a glance’ guide for those liable to pay ATED looks at the rules and how these work in practice, including what ATED is and when this tax applies, what tax relief is available and how this is claimed, […]

How to Deregister for VAT

In certain circumstances, companies may no longer eligible to be VAT registered, or in others, the company may be looking to voluntarily cancel its VAT registration. This guide looks at the process to deregister for VAT, on both a compulsory and voluntary basis, including the circumstances in which you must or can ask HMRC to […]

Reverse VAT Charge Guide 2023

Aimed at tackling fraud in the construction industry, the reverse charge VAT rules mean that most subcontractors and contractors must now change the way in which they charge and account for VAT. The following guide outlines how the new VAT reverse charge works, with key compliance advice for VAT-registered suppliers and buyers.   What is […]

Family Investment Company Pros & Cons

A family investment company can be an attractive approach to tax and succession planning. In this guide, we look at what family investment companies are, the tax advantages available, as well as how these companies work and are managed. We also look at the overall benefits and drawbacks of a family investment company to help […]