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 single attack at £1,300. The latest 2020 Cyber Breach Survey from the government, reported that…
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…
All businesses need cyber security policies. But if you’re running a small business, it’s particularly important that you take steps to protect yourself against the risks of cybercrime. Why? Because studies show that cyber-criminals are more likely to target small businesses over larger businesses. Indeed, one study found that up to 96% of all cyber…
Like all professionals, counsellors and therapists need insurance to protect them from the various risks of the job. Let’s take a look at some of the most essential insurance products for counsellors and therapists. What Insurance do Counsellors and Therapists need? The types of insurance counsellors and therapists need can be far reaching, depending on…
If you work for yourself, whether as a freelancer or a contractor, then you’re going to have to register as self-employed with HMRC. You may also have to register as a sole-trader. The process of registering as self-employed is pretty straightforward. But many newly self-employed people wonder when is the best time to do it….
Hackers and other criminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to scam and exploit people. And nothing is off-limits for them. So you should consider any aspect of your business that relies on digital technologies as a potential weak-spot, as an area that cyber criminals could target. Even if you’re an independent contractor offering painting and…
A HMRC investigation is a daunting prospect for any business. These investigations can be immensely time-consuming and extremely costly. So for self-employed and small businesses, the idea of a HMRC investigation can be genuinely terrifying. You can avoid HMRC investigations if you learn about the sort of circumstances that commonly trigger investigations. There are also…
Are insurance premiums subject to VAT? Do you have to pay VAT on your insurance? Short answer: You almost never have to pay VAT on insurance. But sometimes you do. Sort of. In this post we’ll explain the law concerning VAT and insurance, and explain when you do and do not have to pay VAT…
This blog gives you the basics on minimum pay and parental leave changes with links to where you can find more from HMRC. Don’t get caught out with changes to National Living and Minimum Wage rates! National Living and Minimum Wage rates are increasing on 1 April 2024. The National Living Wage is extended to…
One of the major benefits of being self-employed is the independence it brings. You are your own boss, and you have total freedom over how, when, and where you work. But with all this freedom comes a lot of responsibility. You need to keep your own records, manage your own finances, submit your own tax…