Tax Return: Can I Use Bank Statements Instead of Receipts?
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Tax Return: Can I Use Bank Statements Instead of Receipts?

You can claim certain business expenses as part of your tax return. Only some expenses are allowable. You can read our complete guide to allowable expenses for self-employed workers. This is why it’s a good idea to keep the receipts for any purchase you make for your business. With receipts to hand, you’ll have a…

man working out hourly rates for work
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How to Work Out Your Hourly Rate for Contracting and More

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 out your hourly rate, think in more grounded terms. Think about how many hours you…

female at a desk looking at a computer having set up her business
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Going Self-Employed for the First Time: Step-by-Step

Going self-employed for the first time can be nerve-wracking. There are many benefits to being your own boss. But when you’re your own boss, you have to take care of everything. So if you’re new to the world of self-employed work, how can you be sure that you’re doing everything right? This is your essential…

How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?
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How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?

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 your business expenses, and if you’re self-employed, records of your personal income. If you employ…

How Much is Class 2 National Insurance for Self-Employed?
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How Much is Class 2 National Insurance for Self-Employed?

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 a look at the difference between Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance, which should…

When Do I Need to Register My Business?
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When Do I Need to Register My Business?

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 post will show you how to meet the legal requirements. When To Register as Self-Employed…

Do I Need to Register My Business Yet?
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Do I Need to Register My Business Yet?

Whether you’re running an independent craft business from your spare room, or you’re managing a small business and looking to grow, sooner or later you’ll probably have to register your business. The question is, when? It all depends on what you do, where you work, and whether you employ others. This essential guide will help…

Top 5 Resources For A Small Business
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Top 5 Resources For A Small Business

5 Resources That Have The Potential To Help Your Small Business It can feel like you’re alone when you’re running a small business, particularly if you’re operating as a solopreneur and operating from your private home. While you might be running a company as an individual, these resources could be the company worth keeping around….

female business woman pitching
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Funding for Women’s Startups

It is international Women’s Day and we should be looking for people and things to celebrate. We should also be highlighting inconsistencies in opportunities, like – funding for women’s startups. Do just one thing? Support more women to start and grow new businesses! Mike Jenkins, CBE The British Business Bank reports annually on the small…