Tax Tips

I plan tax for my clients all year, not just in the run‑up to Self Assessment. That’s because sensible, legal tax minimisation is mostly about timing, structure and making full use of allowances — not about clever (and risky) schemes. Below I share practical, day‑to‑day moves I use with UK micro‑businesses and sole traders that cut tax bills without crossing a line. These are the kind of steps anyone can incorporate into a simple...

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Working weekends as a sole trader is often part of running a small business — especially in retail, creative services or hospitality. I regularly help clients reclaim the extra costs that come with weekend work, but I also see patterns that attract HMRC attention. In this article I’ll walk you through what you can legitimately claim, how to present the claims so they look reasonable and defensible, and practical recordkeeping tips that...

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I often get asked by clients and readers: “Which home-office costs can I actually claim, and how do I work out the amounts?” Working from home has become commonplace, but the rules for claiming home-related business expenses — and the practical ways to calculate them — still confuse many small business owners. Below I walk through what’s allowable in the UK, the two main methods to calculate relief, practical examples, record-keeping...

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If you’ve ever handed me a random folder of receipts or emailed a jumble of spreadsheets with “final” in the filename, you know how much time I spend digging for clarity. An organised self‑assessment pack doesn’t just save your accountant time — it saves you money and reduces the risk of mistakes. Here’s the straightforward, practical pack I ask every client to prepare before I touch their return. Follow it and you’ll make your...

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I know how easy it is for VAT to become a source of anxiety for small retailers. You’re stocking shelves, serving customers, juggling tills and online orders — the last thing you need is an unexpected VAT bill because of a missed rule or a misunderstood calculation. I’ve worked with dozens of shops and market traders who use the VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS), and I’ve seen the same pitfalls repeatedly. This checklist is designed to help you...

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