Don't Miss

Budget 2008: What to expect Mar 04 2008
Chancellor Alistair Darling delivers his first Budget on 12 March. SmallBusiness.co.uk has these predictions from Roger Bootle, economic adviser to financial services company Deloitte, on what to expect. Read Last minute tax return tips Jan 29 2008
The January tax returns deadline on 31 January is looming large. Even so, it is not too late to submit it in time. SmallBusiness.co.uk and Andy Hardy from TaxCalc.com offer this reminder and some last-minute tips for filing your return. Read Credit crunch: What will it mean for you? Jan 25 2008
In the current global economic climate, small business owners are likely to be concerned about the consequences of the credit crunch. Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to bring you ten quick tips for survival. Read Podcast: The major concerns for UK small business Jan 07 2008
Mick Hegarty, director, BT Business, and John Dunsmuir, Managing Director of the British Chamber of Commerce, discuss the concerns for UK small businesses in this short audio podcast. Read The tax return clinic Sep 20 2007
SmallBusiness.co.uk and Andy Hardy from TaxCalc.com demystify the tax returns process and offer top tips on how you can ensure that you don’t get caught out by the taxman or pay unnecessary fines. Read Factoring: Get your funding to work harder Aug 01 2007
‘More and more owner-managers are recognising that significant time savings can be made if they outsource this element of their operations to factoring specialists,’ says Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance. Read Finance beyond the high street Jun 25 2007
High street banks generally tend towards risk averse lending and restrict themselves to a narrow selection of products that have become commoditised. SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to Mark Endersby of finance broker Funding Solutions about other types of funding available. Read Risking It All expert gives funding advice Apr 13 2007
Julia Chanteray, resident business expert on Channel 4's Risking It All programme, founded business advice and mentoring service The Joy of Business to help small firms through the difficult early years of growth. SmallBusiness.co.uk caught up with Chanteray and asked her to share some pearls of wisdom on the funding routes available for small firms. Read Angel funding tips from the Den Apr 12 2007
If your original source of funding dries up or you fail to convince the bank manager, does that mean you should call it a day? With the forthcoming launch of the online business angel network Angels Den, founder and managing director Bill Morrow is keen to point out that there is lots of money in the pockets of business angels waiting to be invested. SmallBusiness.co.uk reports. Read How to file Employer PAYE Returns Mar 14 2007
Filing your employer’s PAYE End of Year return online is the quickest and easiest way for small business owners to send HMRC your details before the 19 May deadline. It also pays for small businesses to file online, as those who do will qualify for the scheme’s £150 incentive. Here are some useful tips from SmallBusiness.co.uk and HMRC to help you file yours successfully and hassle-free. Read Pre-budget insights Mar 09 2007
With Chancellor Gordon Brown due to make his Budget speech to the House of Commons on 21 March, it will be interesting to see how he approaches the task, bearing in mind that it’s widely believed to be his last. SmallBusiness.co.uk and Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of tax at ACCA have these insights into the forthcoming budget. Read Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme Explained Dec 12 2006
Companies without assets to offer as security for conventional bank funding will be heartened to know that there’s still another means of raising cash without giving away too much equity. Click to read on... Read Debt advice for small businesses Sep 13 2006
Many small businesses operate on a very tight budget. Figures published by the Insolvency Service during 2005 show that 12,893 companies went into liquidation and 10,839 self-employed people were declared bankrupt. The need for debt advice for small businesses has never before been in such demand. Read Business loans for starting up abroad Aug 30 2006
There is no reason in principle you cannot finance the purchase of an overseas business in the UK. The Business Banking Code says that before a bank lends you any money, they will assess whether they feel that you will be able to repay it. Read Purchase orders explained Jul 19 2006
When issued to a supplier for provision of goods or services, purchase orders are legally binding. This guide explains how they can help small businesses track orders and receive payment for work done. Read Basic tax, VAT and cash flow for start-ups May 16 2006
When starting a business, there are a myriad of VAT, National Insurance, income tax and cash flow issues to consider. Clive Lewis of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales offers this introduction to what to expect. Read Avoiding funding mistakes Apr 12 2006
Funding is the one thorny topic every entrepreneur must tackle if their enterprise is to survive and thrive. Securing the right kind of investor, level of investment and managing the process effectively is often the difference between having a future in business or booking a one-way ticket to bankruptcy. Read VAT registration: the facts Mar 14 2006
VAT is administered by HM Revenue & Customs. If your annual turnover exceeds £60,000 in the previous 12 months you are required to register for VAT. This means that once registered you will be given a unique VAT number relevant to only your business. Read Paying for child care Feb 15 2006
You are not allowed to include the cost of child care in your expenses in calculating you Income Tax and National Insurance liability, but you may be eligible for Working Tax Credit. Read A guide to professional indemnity insurance Jan 26 2006
If it’s been recommended you have professional indemnity, but you’re a little unclear about exactly how this insurance works to protect your business, you may appreciate this simple, easy-to-understand beginners’ guide written by leading specialist insurer Hiscox. Read Avoid tax return errors Jan 11 2006
The tax return deadline is looming and it’s important to get your forms back before 31 January, but it’s also important to get it right and avoid making these common mistakes. Read Completing your tax return Jan 10 2006
With the clock ticking on the deadline for submitting your tax return this month, Ian Abrey, tax partner at Mazars advisory group provides timely details of extra last minute things you should remember – in addition to submitting the return before 31 January! Read How to set salaries Jan 10 2006
Non-financial incentives, such as flexible working, training, extra holidays and a good working atmosphere all have their place in rewarding employees. But let’s be honest, it’s cold hard cash that’s the main reason most staff come to work every morning. So, how do balance paying your staff enough to keep them happy while not breaking the bank? Read Avoid the pitfalls of overtrading Nov 23 2005
Is your business ready for the Christmas rush? You have a great opportunity to make the most of the annual surge in consumer spending, however, you also need to avoid seasonal excesses. Overtrading is one of these risks, where your business takes on orders and tries to fulfil them at a level that can’t be supported by working capital or current assets. Read Predicting financial ups and downs Nov 16 2005
Studies show that one of the main causes of business problems is lack of one specific type of planning: financial forecasting. Don't miss this advice out how to look into the future Read Getting funding: sources of business finance Aug 23 2005
This factsheet outlines the main types of financial support available and lists the most important agencies offering funding. It also gives you guidance on where to obtain further information, or to apply for this support. Read Use credit cards safely Jul 01 2005
Business owners are increasingly using personal credit cards to fund their businesses, particularly when it comes to major purchases such as vehicles and equipment. Read Opening a Euro account Aug 15 2003
Whether or not to open a Euro account depends on your individual circumstances. It may or may not be in your best interests. Read