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…
You have until midnight on 31 January 2024 to submit your self-assessment tax return online. This would be your return for the tax year starting on 6 April 2022 and ending on 5 April 2023. In this post we’ll discuss some of the other deadlines you need to be aware of, while addressing some other…
If you offer management consultancy services, you’ll face numerous professional risks in your line of work. This could result in your clients making a claim against you. The right insurance can cover you for most claims, ensuring that you or your business will be able to bounce back from nearly anything. In this post we’ll…
Professional indemnity insurance can be a vital line of defence for all business owners. Whether you’re an independent contractor, a freelancer, a sole-trader, or the managing director of a small business, you should consider getting professional indemnity insurance cover. It affords essential protection no matter what industry you work in. Specialist Industry Guides to Professional…
If you’re a company director, you have a number of options for drawing income from your company as a directors salary. Mainly, it’s a choice between whether you pay yourself a salary, or you take dividends as your income – or you might choose a combination of the two. On top of this, you can…
If you’re a freelance self-employed graphic designer, then the right insurance can cover you for all the risks you might face in your work. Professional indemnity insurance is particularly important for graphic designers. In this post we’ll explain what professional indemnity insurance is and why you need it, before discussing some of the other insurance…