￫ An introduction to the tax system for the self employed

Key tax issues you need to know about. Click here to learn more

￫ Business structures - which should I use?

Having made the decision to be your own boss, it is important to decide the best legal and taxation structure for your enterprise. The structure for you will depend on your personal situation and your future plans. Consider the options available. Click here to learn more

￫ Choosing your accounting date

What is the best date to choose? Click here to learn more

￫ Considerations when starting a business

It is the ambition of many people to run their own business but there are many issues and pitfalls to consider. What issues should you consider when setting up in business? Click here to learn more

￫ Credit control

We consider what you need to be checking in order to understand if your customer can support the amount of credit you are granting.? Click here to learn more

￫ Franchising

Franchising is becoming increasingly popular. This factsheet considers the advantages and disadvantages of franchising and points to consider when considering operating as a franchise. Click here to learn more

￫ Incorporation

Considerations when operating as a company on incorporation. Click here to learn more

￫ Insuring your business

Are you sufficiently covered? Click here to learn more

￫ Names, trademarks, patents and other registrations

The key legal requirements. Click here to learn more

￫ Raising finance

Every business needs finance - we look at what type of finance is best suited to the development of your business. Click here to learn more

￫ Sources of finance

The financing of your business is the most fundamental aspect of its management. Get the financing right and you will have a healthy business, positive cash flows and ultimately a profitable enterprise. We summarise the means of finance that are available and where we can help. Click here to learn more

￫ Taking on staff

Issues when hiring employees. Click here to learn more

￫ Writing a business plan

How to write an effective business plan. Click here to learn more

￫ Capital gains tax

A capital gain arises when certain capital assets are sold at a profit. We consider the taxation of gains and outline the reliefs available. Click here to learn more

￫ Capital gains tax and the family home

We consider whether any tax is due on the sale of the family home and the availability of principal private residence and other reliefs. Click here to learn more

￫ Inheritance tax - a summary

Ways to minimise your estate's liability to inheritance tax. Click here to learn more

￫ Making a will and other related matters

One of the most important elements of estate planning. Click here to learn more

￫ Land and Building Transaction Tax

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is payable by the purchaser in a land transaction which occurs in Scotland. This factsheet summarises the rates of LBTT which apply. Click here to learn more

￫ Land Transaction Tax

Land Transaction Tax (LTT) is payable by the purchaser in a land transaction which occurs in Wales. This factsheet considers the key principles and requirements. Click here to learn more

￫ Stamp Duty Land Tax

We look at the key areas to consider for the purchaser in a land transaction, whether this is buying a house or creating a lease or assigning a lease, a purchaser is required to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). Click here to learn more

￫ Trusts

We consider the basic principles of Trusts, looking at what they are, along with a range of anti-avoidance measures aimed at preventing exploitation of potential tax benefits. Click here to learn more

￫ An introduction to corporation tax

Key information about company tax. Click here to learn more

￫ Business motoring - tax aspects

This factsheet focuses on the current tax position of business motoring, a core consideration of many businesses. The aim is to provide a clear explanation of the tax deductions available on different types of vehicle expenditure in a variety of business scenarios. Click here to learn more

￫ Capital allowances

The cost of purchasing capital equipment in a business is not a tax deductible expense. However tax relief is available on certain capital expenditure in the form of capital allowances. Click here to learn more

￫ Corporation tax - quarterly instalment payments

Under corporation tax self assessment large companies are required to pay their corporation tax in four quarterly instalment payments. This factsheet considers the rules regarding these payments. Click here to learn more

￫ Employed or self employed?

How to determine whether you are employed or self-employed? Click here to learn more

￫ Homeworking costs for the self-employed

If you are self employed and work from home this factsheet will summarise what homeworking costs you can claim for tax purposes. Click here to learn more

￫ Husband and wife businesses

The tax and legal issues of owning a business with a spouse. Click here to learn more

￫ IR35 personal service companies

The 'IR35' rules are designed to prevent the avoidance of tax and national insurance contributions through the use of personal service companies and partnerships. This factsheet summarises what situations are caught by the rules and the implications of the rules. Click here to learn more

￫ Research and development

Research and development (R&D) by companies is being actively encouraged through a range of tax incentives, which we consider in the points below. Click here to learn more

￫ The Construction Industry Scheme

The Construction Industry Scheme sets out special rules for tax and national insurance for those working in the construction industry. This factsheet considers the workings of the scheme. Click here to learn more

￫ Car or Van?

What counts as a ‘van’ for tax purposes? Click here to learn more

￫ Cars for employees

An overview of how company car tax is calculated, and how to save money. Click here to learn more

￫ Employment benefits

The remuneration of many directors and employees comprises a package of salary and benefits. In this factsheet we consider some of the main benefit rules. Click here to learn more

￫ Employer supported childcare

The tax and NIC exemption for employer-contracted childcare and employer-provided childcare vouchers has been very popular with both employers and employees alike. This factsheet outlines the exemptions available. Click here to learn more

￫ Homeworking and tax relief for employees

It is now very common for many employees to work from home, but this does mean that it is important to understand how the rules work with this. Click here to learn more

￫ National insurance

National Insurance contributions (NICs) are essentially a tax on earned income. The NICs regime divides income into different classes: Class 1 contributions are payable on earnings from employment, while the profits of the self-employed are liable to Class 2 and 4 contributions. This factsheet highlights the areas you need to consider and identifies some of the potential problems. Click here to learn more

￫ Payroll - basic procedures

This factsheet outlines what you need to do to set-up and run your payroll. Click here to learn more

￫ Payroll Real Time Information

A guide to the Real Time Information payroll rules. Click here to learn more

￫ Payslips

The legal requirements for payslips. Click here to learn more

￫ Pooled cars and Vans

The rules governing pooled vehicles. Click here to learn more

￫ Travel and subsistence for Directors and employees

Travelling and subsistence expenditure incurred by or on behalf of employees gives rise to many problems. This factsheet highlights the main areas to consider in deciding whether tax relief is available on travel and subsistence. Click here to learn more

￫ Agency workers regulations

We consider the implications of the Agency Workers Regulations. Click here to learn more

￫ Annual leave

We consider their entitlement and some complications of annual leave, including payment, entitlement and sickness during leave. Click here to learn more

￫ Dismissal procedures

We consider the key areas that can be involved in employee dismissal, whether it is looking at statutory procedure, possible unfair dismissal claims or simply the right to dismiss an employee. Click here to learn more

￫ Getting the most out of staff appraisals

Make sure appraisals are effective and useful. Click here to learn more

￫ Identifying and preventing fraud

Minimise the risk of fraud to your business. Click here to learn more

￫ Legal working in the UK

Guidance to help you make sure that your business is complying with the law when it comes to employing staff to work in the UK. Click here to learn more

￫ Occupational pension schemes: trustees' responsibilities

Employers can help promote retirement benefits for their employees in a number of ways including occupational schemes. Click here to learn more

￫ Pensions - automatic enrolment

If you employ staff, you’ll need to ensure you comply with the auto-enrolment regulations. Click here to learn more

￫ Recruiting the right staff

Make sure you have a structured process for recruitment. Click here to learn more

￫ Recruitment procedures - employment law

Our suggestions can help you take on better employees by improving your recruitment process and also avoid making mistakes. Click here to learn more

￫ Statutory sick, maternity and paternity pay

We look at an employer's obligations to pay statutory payments and the processes involved. Click here to learn more

￫ The National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage

Ensure you are compliant with all the rates. Click here to learn more

￫ Your staff handbook

Key elements of a staff handbook. Click here to learn more

￫ Bribery Act 2010

This factsheet gives an overview of the procedures you must put in place in relation to the Bribery Act 2010. Click here to learn more

￫ Cash basis for the self-employed

Small unincorporated businesses can calculate their profits for tax purposes on a cash basis rather than the normal accruals basis. We look at the optional rules that allow for this, while also taking in the key tax points. Click here to learn more

￫ Company secretarial duties

This factsheet considers what company information has to be made available and looks at whether a company secretary needs to be appointed. Click here to learn more

￫ Making Tax Digital for Individuals

Outlining the Making Tax Digital regulations for individuals. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - Making Tax Digital

An overview of the Making Tax Digital for VAT regulations. Click here to learn more

￫ Data security - Data Protection Act

The key compliance issues are observed when looking at data protection and the Data Protection Act. Click here to learn more

￫ Data security - General Data Protection Regulation

Ensure the key compliance issues are observed when considering data protection and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Click here to learn more

￫ Charities in Scotland: trustees' responsibilities

We consider the various responsibilities of being a Scottish Charity Trustee with particular emphasis on accounting and audit requirements. Click here to learn more

￫ Data security - General Data Protection Regulation - Ensuring Compliance

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires organisations to protect the personal data of individuals. Click here to learn more

￫ Directors’ responsibilities

Becoming a director carries with it potentially onerous duties. Make sure you know what those duties are. This factsheet gives guidance on directors’ responsibilities. Click here to learn more

￫ Grants

We consider if your business is eligible for a grant. Click here to learn more

￫ Accounting records

What records should you keep – and for how long? Click here to learn more

￫ Limited liability partnerships

The key features of a Limited Liability Partnership. Click here to learn more

￫ Micro Entity Accounting

This factsheet considers the options available to micro entities when preparing their accounts. Click here to learn more

￫ Money laundering

Tough rules apply to tackle money laundering and the proceeds of crime. The rules affect a wide range of people and we consider how your organisation may be impacted. Click here to learn more

￫ Preparing for your accountant

Whether we are producing your accounts or carrying out tax compliance work, being prepared for us will ensure our work is carried out smoothly and efficiently and with the minimum disruption to yourselves. This factsheet highlights many of the ways in which you can help. Click here to learn more

￫ Criminal Finances Act 2017

The Criminal Finances Act makes companies and partnerships criminally liable for failing to prevent tax evasion. This factsheet considers the key aspects of the Act and the implications for your business. Click here to learn more

￫ Narrative reporting

An explanation of the directors' report requirements faced by private companies. Click here to learn more

￫ Pricing strategies

Different approaches to setting a price. Click here to learn more

￫ Selling your business

An introduction to the issues involved in a business sale. Click here to learn more

￫ Small Company Accounting

We consider the required format of statutory accounts for small companies. This factsheet considers the reporting requirements and their impact. Click here to learn more

￫ Strategies for increasing revenue

Including the product/market matrix. Click here to learn more

￫ The value of outsourcing

Which functions could you outsource? Click here to learn more

￫ Valuing your business

There are many reasons why you may need to calculate the value of your business. This factsheet consider the range of methods available as well as some of the factors to consider during the process. Click here to learn more

￫ Charities in Scotland: trustees' responsibilities

We consider the various responsibilities of being a Scottish Charity Trustee with particular emphasis on accounting and audit requirements. Click here to learn more

￫ Child Benefit charge

A guide to the income tax charge relating to Child Benefit for higher earners. Click here to learn more

￫ Enterprise Investment Scheme

We look at how qualifying companies can get access to equity investment from new and, in some cases, existing shareholders. Click here to learn more

￫ Furnished holiday lettings

A guide to the tax rules governing FHL. Click here to learn more

￫ Giving to charity

A guide to giving tax efficiently. Click here to learn more

￫ Individual Savings Accounts

ISAs are tax-exempt savings accounts available to individuals. Click here to learn more

￫ Lasting Powers of Attorney

An introduction to the LPA rules. Click here to learn more

￫ Non-domiciled individuals

An introduction to the taxation in the UK of income arising outside the UK for non UK domiciled individuals. Click here to learn more

￫ Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare provides tax relief for individuals on their qualifying childcare costs. This factsheet considers the key principles and requirements. Click here to learn more

￫ Pensions - tax reliefs

We set out the tax reliefs available to members of a Personal Pension scheme. Click here to learn more

￫ Personal tax - self assessment

A guide to the personal tax return. Click here to learn more

￫ Personal tax - when is income tax and capital gains tax payable?

Advice on when key tax payments under Self-Assessment are payable. Click here to learn more

￫ Property investment - buy to let

Key elements of buy-to-let. Click here to learn more

￫ Property investment - tax aspects

Investment in property continues to be a popular form of investment. On the basis that the investment appears to make commercial sense what tax factors should you take into account? Click here to learn more

￫ Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme

The tax advantaged venture capital scheme. Click here to learn more

￫ Statutory Residence Test

The Statutory Residence Test provides, through a series of tests, a definitive process to determine the UK residence status of any individual. That status applies for income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax purposes. Click here to learn more

￫ Taxation of the family

We highlight the main areas to consider in regard to tax planning for family members and the minimisation of tax liabilities. Click here to learn more

￫ Venture Capital Trusts

An introduction to shares in VCTs. Click here to learn more

￫ Recovering VAT on staff expenses

How to reclaim VAT on supplies made to your employees. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - a summary

A general overview of the principles of VAT. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - annual accounting scheme

The annual accounting scheme helps small businesses by allowing them to submit only one VAT return annually rather than the normal four. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - bad debt relief

The conditions and requirements of claiming VAT relief on bad debts. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - cash accounting

A guide to the cash accounting scheme. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - flat rate scheme

The VAT flat rate scheme for small businesses potentially reduces the administrative burden imposed when operating VAT. Under the scheme, a set percentage is applied to the turnover of the business as a one-off calculation instead of having to identify and record the VAT on each sale and purchase you make. This factsheet explains how the VAT Flat Rate Scheme works. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - how to survive the enforcement powers

Making sure you comply with the rules. Click here to learn more

￫ VAT - seven key points for the smaller business

This factsheet focuses on VAT matters of relevance to the smaller business. A primary aim is to highlight common risk areas as a better understanding can contribute to a reduction of errors and help to minimise penalties. Click here to learn more