If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, then you may be thinking about managing your own taxes for the first time. In this post we’ll explain certain tax thresholds for freelancers, including the amount you can earn before paying tax. We’ll also discuss some other steps you’ll need to take if you’re starting a…
VAT is value-added tax. It’s applied to the sale of most goods and services, though certain goods and services are either exempt, or charged at a reduced rate. And unlike income tax, it’s collected by the seller. At the time of writing, the standard VAT rate in the UK is 20%. Only the most successful…
You can claim certain business expenses as part of your tax return. Only some expenses are allowable. You can read our complete guide to allowable expenses for self-employed workers. This is why it’s a good idea to keep the receipts for any purchase you make for your business. With receipts to hand, you’ll have a…
If you run a business, whether you’re a freelancer, a self-employed contractor, or the managing director of a limited company or partnership, you need to keep detailed records for tax purposes. These records might include all sales and incomes, all your business expenses, and if you’re self-employed, records of your personal income. If you employ…
If you’re a freelancer, a contractor or a sole trader, you might be wondering when it’s the right time to register for VAT. You probably already know that the annual turnover threshold for registering for VAT is £90,000. But do you know the rules beyond this? For example, do you need to register after you’ve…
If you’re new to the self-employed world, you might have some questions about the sort of National Insurance you need to pay. This is your essential guide to your National Insurance obligations as a self-employed freelancer or contractor. We’ll take a look at the difference between Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance, which should…
Business rates can be tricky for anyone to manage. But if you’re self-employed or you work from home, business rates can be particularly challenging. This is your essential guide to business rates. We’ll explain what they are, how to calculate them, how to pay them, and how to find out if you’re eligible or exempt….
A HMRC investigation is a daunting prospect for any business. These investigations can be immensely time-consuming and extremely costly. So for self-employed and small businesses, the idea of a HMRC investigation can be genuinely terrifying. You can avoid HMRC investigations if you learn about the sort of circumstances that commonly trigger investigations. There are also…
IR35 is a set of tax rules that has been around for over twenty years. They were put in place to stop people paying less tax and National Insurance Contributions than they should. The rules for IR35 changed at the start of the 2021 tax year and have been adjusted since. But what is IR35,…
Are insurance premiums subject to VAT? Do you have to pay VAT on your insurance? Short answer: You almost never have to pay VAT on insurance. But sometimes you do. Sort of. In this post we’ll explain the law concerning VAT and insurance, and explain when you do and do not have to pay VAT…