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Since it was decided in 2017, landlines across the UK are being updated by telecom companies to new digital technology using an internet connection. The switchover should be complete by December 2025. The old analogue system, referred to as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), has reached end of its serviceable life, and telecom companies are now finding it difficult to source the parts they need to continue maintaining it. The new digital phone lines work using a VoIP service, and you will need to switch to a VoIP service to continue using your landline. The digital connection should allow businesses [...]

Growing a business often requires capital. If you don’t have that capital personally or already in the business, then one option is to get finance from a bank. What types of finance are available? How can you present a request to a bank and have it accepted? We will endeavour to answer those questions in this article. Common types of finance Financing can usually be broken down into 3 main areas: loans, leases, and hire purchase. Loans are usually provided by a bank and could be as simple as an agreed overdraft or a fixed term loan. There are often [...]

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have updated their guidance on what qualifies as ordinary commuting and private travel for tax purposes to include hybrid or flexible working. Generally, where an employee works at home as an objective requirement of the job, then HMRC will usually accept that the employee is entitled to tax relief for the expenses of travelling from their home to another workplace, such as the office, when this is in performance of the duties of their job. Usually, HMRC will only accept that working at home is an objective requirement of the job if facilities that an [...]

The so-called Micawber principle, as stated by Wilkins Micawber in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield, says: “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.” This widely used quote on personal finance is just as relevant for business finance. For any business to be successful and sustain itself over the long term, it must make a profit, i.e. revenue must exceed costs. Increasing profit is therefore a primary objective for businesses that are looking for sustainable growth and success. But is improving profitability as simple [...]

Recent surveys of UK business owners show us to be under pressure. This is no surprise. As a business owner, you’re constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and facing a myriad of challenges. While there are countless strategies for success, it’s equally important to be aware of potential pitfalls that could derail your efforts. In this article, we’ll explore seven common mistakes that business owners should avoid at all costs. Ignore financial management One of the biggest mistakes a business owner can make is neglecting proper financial management. Failing to keep accurate records, monitor cash flow, and budget effectively can lead to [...]

The Labour party has published their plan to close the tax gap – the gap between tax owed and tax paid – which is estimated at £36 billion. The plan broadly proposes to do this by boosting tax compliance. Labour plan to be able to raise up to an additional £5 billion a year as a result of their proposed measures. They anticipate that £1 spent on compliance activity will result in £9 of revenue and so reckon they will need to invest £555 million per year to achieve £5 billion of revenue. Some of the measures they propose introducing [...]

New employment laws came into force on 6 April 2024 that apply to all businesses. Here is a brief summary of the changes. Flexible working: An employee now has a right to request flexible working from their first day of employment. Previously, an employee could only make one request in a 12-month period, however this is now increased to two. Employers must respond to a request within 2 months and provide an explanation and consultation if the request is refused. Carer’s leave: Previously, there were no leave rights for employees who are carers. Now, an unpaid leave entitlement exists from [...]

From 1 May 2024, the VAT road fuel scale charges will be updated. The new rates will need to be used from the start of the next VAT accounting period that begins on or after 1 May. So, if your next VAT quarter starts on 1 June, you will begin using the new rates for the quarter that begins on 1 June. VAT road fuel scale charges provide a simplified method for calculating and accounting for VAT for VAT registered businesses that pay for road fuel that is used both for business and private purposes. Instead of tracking each fuel [...]

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are running a campaign to help people avoid being caught out by tax avoidance schemes. This is particularly relevant to those who are contractors, agency workers, or are working through an umbrella company. Tax avoidance schemes are schemes designed to bend the rules of the tax system in a way that was not intended. They usually involve contrived transactions whose only real purpose is to artificially reduce the amount of tax someone pays. It is different from effective tax planning. Being caught out by a tax avoidance scheme can be expensive. People who use them [...]

New guidance has been published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to help legal representatives find out what they need to tell HMRC to calculate the lump sum death benefit charge. When someone passes away and their estate includes certain financial products like pensions or life insurance products, any lump sum death benefit received by the beneficiaries might be subject to inheritance tax. If a lump sum death benefit charge applies to the payout, it could affect the overall value of the estate and potentially impact the inheritance tax liability. Therefore, it’s important to accurately report this information to HMRC [...]