What is inflation?
What is inflation? How does it work? Is it good or bad for business? We are often asked about inflation and the affect it has so here is our brief guide to the essentials you need to know:…
Bosses urge reform for the ‘broken’ business rates system
A group of more than 50 bosses of retail businesses have called on the Chancellor to reform the business rates system in an effort to help boost the high street. The group, including bosses from Asda and Boots…
Cheap and free staff benefits you can offer
We often hear from businesses that they can’t attract or retain the top talent they want because they can’t afford to pay the big salaries or benefits, and don’t know what perks they can offer. The truth is though,…
The labour market and wages continues to grow in strength
The UK labour appears to be going from strength to strength – but there are still some negatives. Wages growth jumped to 3.6% in the year to May 2019 which is the highest rate in over a decade, according…
Xero bank feeds are changing
Xero bank feeds are changing! In the coming weeks, existing Xero bank feeds with Barclays, and ALL bank feeds set up using Yodlee, will no longer be available due to new industry-wide standards that take effect from mid…
Do you need to charge VAT on recharged expenses?
We are often asked by clients if they need to charge VAT on the expenses that they recharge to their own customers. The simple answer is yes, you charge VAT if you benefit from the expense, and no…
Small businesses are the worst offenders in the tax gap and for owing HMRC money
New information released shows that small businesses are responsible for the largest part of the tax gap – owing HMRC £14 billion The tax gap – the difference between what is expected to be received and what is…
Don’t be caught out by payments on account for personal tax – know what you need to pay!
What are payments on account? And who has to make them? So many business owners get caught out by payments on account, particularly in their first year of trading. When you become self employed, most of, if not…
Tax evasion or tax avoidance?
What’s the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance? Celebrities and sports stars alike have been in the news in recent years, hitting the headlines for their tax avoidance in the Paradise Papers, amongst other reports. But they…
BEWARE! Rise in fake HMRC calls from scammers
HMRC has warned that more and more scammers are using landline phone calls to con people and businesses out of money. HM Revenue and Customs said that in the 6 months to January 2019 it received 60,000 reports…