Managing your money

How to deal with difficult or unreasonable clients

Spending hours feeling angry or annoyed or stressed is damaging to your health. Wouldn’t your time be better spent working with a supportive client?

Expenses

Can I claim a Christmas party as a business expense?

If you're a director of a limited company, you can claim up to £150 as a business expense for a Christmas party. There are some strict rules, though.

Personal finance

Self-employed pensions: ready for auto-enrolment?

Ministers should consider automatically deducting pension contributions from self-employed workers through the tax system, according to a new report.

2018 Budget Highlights – How will it affect the self-employed and small businesses?

Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his Budget on 29th October 2018. Here are the main takeaways for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners.

What interest can I charge on late payments?

Want to know what interest you can charge on late payments when working as a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner? This article explains what the rules are, and a few ways to get your money from difficult clients. Get paid what you’re owed!

Contracts

When should you consider subcontracting?

We take a look at the pro's and con's of subcontracting and how it can be utilised by freelancers who need a bit more help with projects.

Running a business

Grants, startup loans and freebies: financial help for your business

A handy side-effect of the entrepreneurial zeal sweeping the country is that there are now many schemes in place specifically to help small businesses.

What is a Personal Allowance?

Personal Allowance is the amount you’re allowed to earn in a given tax year (tax years run from 6th April and 5th April) before you start paying Income Tax.

Five signs it’s time to switch accountants (and how to do it!)

Is your accountant better at invoicing you than looking after your accounts? Here are the top five signs you need a new accountant.

Limited company

How long should company records be retained for?

A limited company director must keep company records, as well as financial and accounting records. You must keep these records for six years.

What is crowdfunding and how do you record investment in your company accounts?

What is the best way to account for money you have raised through Crowdfunding? We look at the best ways to account for this type of investment.

Everything you need to know about kill fees

There are several clauses you need to include in contract negotiations, including a kill fee. We take a look at what they are and what you need to know.

What is VAT MOSS and does it affect me?

If you use VAT MOSS, your business pays VAT based on the prevailing rate where the customer buys your product, not where your business is based.

News and opinion

Self-employed won’t get National Insurance cut says Chancellor

Self-employed workers were dealt another blow after Chancellor Philip Hammond ditched plans to abolish Class 2 National Insurance on 5th September 2018.

Employment law

Can a limited company contractor be in scope of the Agency Workers Regulations?

Although many commentators believe that the AWR were not intended to apply to ‘professionals’ with their own limited companies it is certainly possible.