When working out your hourly rate for contracting, what you’re really trying to work out is this: How much is your time, your energy, and your talent worth? These are difficult questions for anyone to answer. So instead, when working…
If you run a business, then you need insurance. You’re legally required to get certain types of business insurance. But even beyond your legal obligations, you should view business insurance as an essential safety net. Insurance guarantees that you’ll be…
According to a 2019 report by the Federation of Small Businesses, small businesses fall victim to around 10,000 cyber-attacks every day. Cybercrime is estimated to cost small businesses a staggering £4.5 billion each year, with the average cost of a…
A director’s loan account (DLA) allows directors, or their family members, to take money out of their company. To qualify as a “director’s loan”, this money must not be a salary, a dividend, or an expense repayment. Also, it must…
If you’re thinking about setting up your own business, you’re no doubt aware of the many administrative responsibilities you’ll have to take on. One thing many wonder about is: Do I need a business bank account? Or am I OK…
If you run a business, whether you’re a freelancer, a self-employed contractor, or the managing director of a limited company or partnership, you need to keep detailed records for tax purposes. These records might include all sales and incomes, all…
If you’re a freelancer, a contractor or a sole trader, you might be wondering when it’s the right time to register for VAT. You probably already know that the annual turnover threshold for registering for VAT is £90,000. But do…
If you’re new to the self-employed world, you might have some questions about the sort of National Insurance you need to pay. This is your essential guide to your National Insurance obligations as a self-employed freelancer or contractor. We’ll take…
You have a legal obligation to register your business. But when do you need to do this, and how do you do it? Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been running a business for a short while already, this…
Business rates can be tricky for anyone to manage. But if you’re self-employed or you work from home, business rates can be particularly challenging. This is your essential guide to business rates. We’ll explain what they are, how to calculate…