Latest Q & A
Claiming back VAT in the US
We have clients that send invoices to the States with VAT. Could you detail how the US firm goes about claiming back VAT. And conversely if we are charged VAT here from a country in say, Norway, how we go about reclaiming the VAT.
Advice on exporting
I run a small pottery business and think there could be a market for my products abroad. Where can I find advice on exporting?
Registering a company abroad
I am a retired teacher and have identified a business opportunity abroad. I can see that sole trader status makes the most sense, have done lots of forward preparation and research. I don’t need financial support and have an outline business plan. Not wanting to fall foul of UK or French authorities, do you recommend registering in UK then notifying local French or doing it the other way around?
Importing from India
My father has been running a furniture and timber business in India for last 20 years. I want to import his goods from India to UK, how do I go about this?
How to source and import products into the UK
I have set up a small craft business quilt-lining baskets. I have great difficulty in souring wicker basket ware, which is too expensive if made in this country. How could I find out about importing these items?
Setting up a UK business from overseas
I would like to start a business or become self-employed and do contract work in the UK but am currently living in Germany. Are there any tax/legal problems to setting up while abroad? I am a UK citizen and have been in Germany for two months now.
Paying coroporation tax between two countries
I have a registered UK company and am currently working in the US for a company. Do I have to pay corporation tax in the US and UK or is there a double taxation agreement between the two countries?
Service providers for franchisees
Can my franchisor dictate to me which service providers I must use, in particular the supplier of my business insurance?
Franchise fees and tax
Can you tell me if a franchise fee can be counted as a business expense for tax purposes? If not, what should it be recorded on the tax return as?
Getting out of a franchise contract
Can we get out of a franchise that we have been in for a year now, on the grounds of mis-selling? We feel the level of support given in the early months was virtually non-existent and this has resulted in the business taking much longer to get up and running and a further £82,000 borrowing.
Contacting other franchisees
Is it reasonable to ask a franchisor to provide a full list of their franchisees and their contact details so you contact anyone on the list?
Franchise operating manuals
What is a franchise operating manual and what should be in it?
Sole traders and franchising
I'm buying a franchise and setting up as sole trader. I've read that as sole trader I don't need to register a company name but is this different for a franchise when there's an overall group name? Is the process different to register as sole trader? Thanks.
Starting a franchise in the Middle-East
We are establishing a franchise in the Middle-East, mainly for Dubai, Kuwait and the rest of the gulf area. Where can we find information about this niche area and about setting up such a business abroad?
Price limits for franchisor products
Is there a limit up to which a franchisor can set its prices for products that I'm obliged to buy? Our written agreement is silent on the issue but the most recent price list is wholly uncompetitive and sure to lead to ruin.
