Tag News and opinion

Meet Sian Woodard: Our hero championing client success

Meet Sian Woodard! Our hero championing client success. Learn more about her journey at Crunch!

Crunch shortlisted for Client Service Award at the Accounting Excellence Awards 2025

Crunch is a finalist for the 2025 Accounting Excellence Client Service Award. Recognised for expert support, fast responses, and real human help.

Say hello to CrunchPay: the secret to getting paid faster

CrunchPay is live! Add a ‘Pay Now’ button to your invoices and get paid faster with flexible, secure payment options. Try it today.

How Crunch grew smarter and sleeker this year

Key product updates and innovations for small businesses and freelancers

Get your accounting sorted starting from just £1!

Get expert accounting support from just £1/month with Crunch’s 123 Deal. Simple, affordable packages for sole traders and Limited companies

HMRC’s customer service under scrutiny - why freelancers are feeling the pain

HMRC’s customer service is facing criticism — and freelancers are bearing the brunt. Find out what's going wrong and how it’s affecting self-employed workers.

Meet Igor Makarov: The man shaping Crunch’s sales success

Meet Igor Makarov, Crunch's Sales Manager, driving growth with strategy and teamwork. Learn more about his journey!

Spring Statement 2025: Key changes you need to know

Discover key tax changes from the Spring Statement 2025, including MTD ITSA expansion, late payment penalties, and new digital reporting for high earners.

Meet Helena Straussmann: Crunch’s secret weapon to getting results

Helena Straussmann, Crunch’s Transformation & Product Director, blends data-driven decisions with practical leadership to improve the client experience. With 14 years at Crunch, she’s shaping the company’s future. Learn more about her role and impact!

Meet Courtney Frazer-Bates: Leading the charge with Crunch’s marketing

Meet Courtney Frazer-Bates, Crunch's Head of Marketing, leading with strategy and passion. Outside of work, he's a fitness enthusiast and former bodybuilder. Learn more about his journey!

Easy accounting for freelancers and small businesses

Ditch the stress of accounting! Crunch makes it simple with easy-to-use software and expert support for freelancers, contractors, and small businesses. Start today!

HMRC ending online accounts and tax filing service

HMRC will close its joint online filing service in March 2026. Learn how to prepare for the change and switch to third-party software for filing accounts and Company Tax Returns with Companies House and HMRC. Get ready with Crunch today.

Behind the scenes with Crunch: Meet Luke

Meet Luke, a Client Experience Specialist who helps deliver top-notch service to our clients—plus, he has a hidden talent that might surprise you!

Millions urged to check March payslip as tax code changes

HMRC warns employees to review their March payslips for tax code changes. Ensure you're on the right tax code to avoid unexpected bills this year.

Crunch named finalist at the UK FinTech Awards 2025

Crunch is a finalist at the UK FinTech Awards 2025 for AccountingTech of the Year and Best Employer. See what this recognition means for us!

HMRC reduces interest on late tax payments in line with Bank of England rates cut

HMRC reduces late payment interest to 7% from 17th February, following the Bank of England's interest rate cut to 4.5%. 1.1 million self-assessment taxpayers affected.

Behind the scenes with Crunch: Meet Eloise

Go behind the scenes with Crunch’s accountancy team! We chat with Eloise, our Accountancy Service Manager, about her role—and her surprising hula hooping skills!

Struggling to get through to HMRC? Here’s how to navigate the challenge

Frustrated by HMRC’s long wait times? Discover tips to ease tax season stress and see how Crunch’s fast, expert support can make tax hassle-free.

Shape the future of Crunch: Your ideas, your voice

Did you know that we have a product roadmap where you can actually influence what we work on? We cover how to vote and how to submit new ideas for consideration.

Taxpayer hit with £1,600 penalty for late filing despite no tax liability

A recent First-Tier Tribunal case highlights the steep penalties taxpayers may face if they miss their filing deadlines, even if they owe no tax.

Countdown to tax deadline: 5.4 million yet to file their Self Assessment

Still need to file your tax return? With 5.4 million yet to submit, Crunch’s expert online accountants can help you file fast, save on your tax bill, and avoid penalties before the 31 January deadline.

Xero’s recent changes leave customers frustrated and searching for alternatives

A downgrade to Xero's invoicing software and big price hikes has left many of their customers feeling fed up and looking for accounting alternatives.

HMRC issues scam warning as Self Assessment deadline approaches

Stay alert: HMRC reports a rise in tax scams as the 31 January Self Assessment deadline nears. Learn how to spot and report fraudulent messages.

Is it fair? HMRC charges 7.25% on late payments but only repays 3.75%

HMRC's late tax payment interest rate is 7.25%, but refunds earn just 3.75%. Discover why the rates differ and how taxpayers can prepare ahead of Self Assessment deadlines.

What is the Vinted Pro controversy?- Why sellers are unhappy with Vinted Pro

Why many Vinted sellers have fled since the introduction of Vinted Pro. Including Vinted Pro controversy and their investigation by the ICO.

Behind the scenes with René

Ready to take another peek behind the scenes at one of our team members? We learn what a day in the life of a non-executive director is like.

Our quarterly product update - October 2024

Want to know more about what we're working on? Josh - our Senior Product Manager - explains more, including how to vote on future features.

Introducing our latest feature - archiving suppliers and clients!

Want to learn more about our latest feature? Click to hear from the product team themselves describing what it is and why they built it!

Looking for free business and accounting resources? We’ve got you covered!

Want access to free business and accounting resources? Well we've got you covered! From self-employed tax calculators to an expert guide on Ltd business expenses, we've got it all.

Behind the scenes with Crunch - Naomi

Curious about who’s working behind the scenes at Crunch? Our new series will highlight the stories of the incredible people who make it all happen!

Online platforms to report seller income to HMRC: What side hustlers need to know

Discover how side hustlers can report seller income to HMRC using online platforms. Get essential tips to stay compliant and maximise your earnings.

Mortgage market update from Rob Starr Cert CII, Cert (MP), CEO Crunch Mortgages

A mortgage market update from our expert in mortgages, Rob Starr. The CEO of Crunch Mortgages talks about everything from mortgage rates predictions to market stability.

Behind the scenes with Crunch - Meet Josh!

Ever wondered who the people are behind the product? Our latest behind the scenes with Crunch article talks to Josh, a Senior Product Manager.

Behind the scenes with Crunch - Sarah

Ever wondered who is working behind the scenes at Crunch? Our newest series will work to share some of the stories of the people who make Crunch work!

Autumn budget update 2024: PM Keir Starmer warns it could be 'painful'

Click to learn more about the Autumn Budget update for 2024. Including what might be affected by the Autumn Budget and what has been marked as 'safe'.

Crunch named finalist for 'Best Contractor Accountancy' award!

Crunch is honored to be a finalist for Best Contractor Accountancy (Over 2,500 Clients) at the 2024 Contracting Awards. Stay tuned for the results!

Urgent warning from the tax department about HMRC scam letters

Click to learn more about the most recent HMRC scam letter including how to spot a scam letter and how to report it!

HMRC cancels 36,000 fines due to customer service failures

HMRC cancelled a record-breaking 36,000 fines for missing the Self Assessment deadline, with poor customer service as the main culprit.

HMRC to adjust late payment interest rates following Bank of England base rate reduction

HMRC adjusts late payment interest rates to align with the Bank of England’s base rate reduction. Changes effective from August for better business support.

Xero outage left thousands of businesses stranded at month-end

Learn more about the Xero outage where the software was down for hours leaving businesses stranded for months-end.

Chancellor boosts HMRC funding to tackle tax non-compliance: What does this mean for businesses?

Chancellor’s boost to HMRC aims to tackle tax non-compliance. What extra funding means for businesses, and how Crunch can help ensure your tax practices are compliant.

What does eBay’s fee-free seller option mean for your business?

How does eBay’s new fee-free seller option impact business sellers? Do you need to make any changes to your products? Find out here.

Networking not working: Why Crunch only uses in-house accountants

Learn why Crunch prioritises in-house accountants over the network service model, ensuring quality, control, and personalised service for small businesses.

What the Autumn Budget 2024 means for individuals and businesses

The Autumn Budget 2024's impact on UK SMEs: key tax rises, increased NI costs for employers, Capital Gains Tax changes and more.

The Bank-of-England Pauses Interest Rates - What it Means for UK Small Businesses

Explore what the Bank of England's decision to pause interest rate hikes means for UK small businesses. Learn strategies to navigate high borrowing costs and more.

Predictable terms and conditions Regulations are NOT coming in 2024

Explore the implications of the UK's new Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 on employment contracts, worker rights, and employer responsibilities. Stay updated.

Health and Social Care Levy: Increase in National Insurance and Dividend Tax from April 2022

The UK government have announced an increase to National Insurance and Dividend Tax, which come into effect in 2020.

How the founder of Freelancer Club built an award-winning startup using only freelancers

Matt Dowling founded the Freelancer Club in 2014 after his own experiences as a freelance photographer highlighted a need for a change.

How Crunch Chorus has amplified the Self-Employed Community

‍We are obsessed with doing what we can to ensure everyone is able to love what they do. Crunch want to ensure that people with an entrepreneurial spark do not have to jump through lots of legislative hoops to become their own boss.

How Britain's tea economy pushed the world to boiling point

It's no secret the British love tea. But it's also interesting to know that our tea consumption is driving factor for the economy. We explore.

HMRC to close Self Assessment helpline for three months

The Self Assessment helpline closed for three months. What you can do to get your questions answered by experts

Four ways to improve Universal Credit for the self-employed

Universal Credit combines & simplifies many benefits & tax credits into a single payment - but improvements can be made to the programme.

Fixed Rate Mortgage Options ARE Available with Crunch

Worried about the mortgage market? Find out how to approach remortgaging in a highly fluctuating mortgage market.

Why first-time small business owners are getting younger

Research has shown that business owners are younger now than previous years when they decided to set up their own business. We take a look.

Entrepreneurs out of the box: street food in Brighton

Never to pass up an opportunity to stuff our faces, we have happily munched our way to five of our favourite street food startups in Brighton.|Never to pass up an opportunity to stuff our faces, we have happily munched our way to five of our favourite street food startups in Brighton.

Exclusive Crunch discounts now available to Crowdfund investors

Crunch reveals loyalty discount programme for Crowdfunding investors.

The Dragon Economy: How Smaug's death doomed Middle-earth

Ever wondered about Middle-earth economics? What impact would all that gold have on inflation and the cost of living for the average Hobbit?|Ever wondered about Middle-earth economics? What impact would all that gold have on inflation and the cost of living for the average Hobbit?

Defining an entrepreneur: eight essential qualities

What do the world's biggest entrepreneurs have in common? Compare them to yourself with this essential list.

Crunch’s trusted Chartered Certified Accountants

Chartered Certified Accountants provide advice and financial expertise to support businesses and the public sector in making the best decisions and doing the right thing

Crunch nominated for four industry awards

Crunch nominated for gongs including Accounting Tech of the Year and Best Customer Service at the UK FinTech Awards / Brighton & Hove Business Awards.

Crunch raise over £1m in crowdfund

Learn how Crunch raised over £1 million through Crowdfunding.

Crunch launch simple bookkeeping software for limited companies or sole traders - Crunch Free

Crunch are delighted to announce the launch of our simple, online bookkeeping software for limited companies and sole traders, Crunch Free!

Crunch launch crowdfunding campaign

Crunch announces inaugural Crowdfunding campaign, available on the Seedrs investment platform.

Insurance from Crunch: business insurance for freelancers, contractors, & small business owners

Get your small business insured in minutes. With our low premiums & low excesses, you’ll be amazed how affordable business insurance can be. Contact us now!

Trust us - HMRC recognised accounting software

Established in 2007 as the first accountancy software, combined with a full service online accountant, we’ve been the ideal business for HMRC to discuss its latest ideas.

Crunch - the perfect UK replacement for Wave Accounting software

Wave Accounting is removing access to its free accounting software in the UK, but there’s an even better replacement for the UK’s self-employed heroes.

Crunch’s simple guide to the March 2021 Budget

Here is Crunch's small business friendly highlights from the the Chancellors March 2021 Budget affecting small business owners and the self-employed.

Crunch Events: Masterclasses, Launches, Meetups & More!

Starting or running a business, and need tips? Want to network with fellow self-employed workers? Find out what events are coming up.

Crunch explained in 90secs - Online Accounting, Expert Advice, Real People

At Crunch, our mission is simple: we’re taking the stress out of accounting by reducing both cost & time. Find out more about Crunch with our short video.

Accountancy automation: How Crunch became head of the pack

Explore how Crunch has been a pioneer in accountancy automation.

Coronavirus: if your company cannot file accounts with Companies House on time

Coronavirus: The government has announced a three month extension period to file accounts with Companies House during the coronavirus emergency

Cake or biscuit: VAT's the difference

Is a Jaffa Cake a cake, or a biscuit? It took a case in court to come up with a full answer. Find out the answer here.

Why do so many people launch their business in Brighton?

What makes Brighton an exciting place to launch a small business? Is it the sea air, or is it that the city is the creative and digital hub of the South?

The surprising truth about Britain's most dangerous jobs

Office workers are frequently told that their sedentary lifestyle is causing them injuries, but you'll be surprised by some of the professions on this list.

Autumn Budget 2021: Everything you need to know

Changes to the National Living Wage, dividend tax rates and Universal Credit were all announced in the Autumn Budget 2021.

Advantages of having an accountant

Most start-ups fail because they’re unable to manage their finances properly. So unsurprisingly an accountant can offer many advantages for small businesses. Do you know what they are?

Has 2023 Proved to Be as Bad as Expected for Startups? Or Are Things Looking Up

Find out how 2023 has affected the startup industry. Things have been shaken up, see who’s weathered the storm and who has sunk.

Why Siân Fever has "so much love" for Crunch

Now in her third year as a Crunch client, Siân's business finances are looking better than ever. Here's why...

What is VAT MOSS and does it affect UK businesses after Brexit?

The VAT Mini One Stop Shop (VAT MOSS) scheme is a way of paying VAT if your UK business provides certain digital services to customers in the EU.

Metallica and Napster - were they right all along?

Metallica and Napster have learned to co-exist. But did file-sharing create a race to the bottom for musicians, or liberate them from greedy middle-men?

Understanding the Benefits of Coworking Spaces for Startups

Discover the transformative world of coworking spaces – innovative havens fostering collaboration and growth for startups, where diverse professionals converge to work, connect, and flourish.

Unlocking mortgage lending after lockdown

A number of lenders are now looking to actively support self-employed mortgage applicants by making it easier and quicker for them to get a mortgage

The social media sales revolution: how UK small businesses are tapping into the digital goldmine

Find out how you can join the growing movement of small businesses that are leveraging social media to boost sales.

The Impact of Recent Rate Hikes for Small Businesses

Find out how interest and business rate hikes could affect small businesses in the UK.

Support small businesses this Christmas with these unique gift ideas from entrepreneurs

Struggling for last-minute Christmas gift ideas? Support small businesses with unique gifts.

Be Part of a Study on Self-Employment & Mental Health

Our friends at Leapers run an annual study into the relationship between mental health and self-employment. Crunch would love you to be a part of this.

Spring Statement 2023: How will it affect me?

Find out how the Spring Statement 2023, made by Jeremy Hunt, will affect you or your business

Spring Statement 2022: Everything you need to know

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his annual Spring Statement on 23rd March 2022. Major changes to UK taxes and allowances are usually announced in the Autumn Budget.

Software and service: The accountant is DEAD, long live the accountant!

Learn how Crunch have evolved and are no longer just an accountancy firm.

Six utterly bizarre crowdfunding successes

Scared of asking for money? Just remember some guy gained £42k for a potato salad. And that's not the weirdest thing on this list of crowdfunding successes.

Six simple ways to value a business

There are some simple ways of estimating what a business is worth that won’t leave you pulling your hair out.

Speak to Crunch Mortgages and get a YES first time!

Getting a self-employed mortgage isn't hard, especially when you ask the right people for help - like Crunch Mortgages!

Goodbye "work-life balance" - say hello to the "work-life blur"

Half of the self-employed wanted to obtain a better work-life balance but research suggests many are working an additional 14 hours every week.

Remembering John Stokdyk: A Personal Tribute from Crunch

Crunch would like to pay tribute to John Stokdyk, who sadly passed away recently. John was a highly gifted journalist who had a great influence on Crunch.

Recommend a Friend's Business - November 2021

‍Explore the businesses that deserve special recognition.

Record-breaking Government Spending On Small Business. What Do The Figures Mean?

A balanced perspective on the latest figures for Small Business investment from the government. Exploring the main two contrasting views on the matter.

QuickBooks vs. Xero vs. Crunch: which is better?

Crunch has been competing with Quickbooks and Xero for over a decade. They may be bigger, but we're certain we're better!

Quickbooks Stopping Support For Desktop Software - What Should I Do Now?

Quickbooks is stopping support for the desktop version, leaving a huge number of clients without access to an accounting service. Find out what the solution is.

Free Open Banking feeds available with Crunch

Upload bank transactions in a flash with Crunch's simple and secure Open Banking feeds, with established links with several of the UK's biggest banks.

Open letter: Support for limited company directors & self-employed during the COVID-19 pandemic

Crunch has written to the Chancellor providing analysis and feedback from clients, which we believe justifies a widening of the government’s grant support.