Getting started

Taking the difficult early steps.

Our guide to the difficult early steps when starting up…

Allowable expenses

What can you claim tax relief for?

An introduction to the tax system for the self employed

Key tax issues you need to know about.

A mission statement

Defining your business purpose.

Building a brand

Key tips for developing a memorable image.

Choosing a year end

Be tax efficient when deciding a year end date.

Choosing your accounting date

What is the best date to choose?

Incorporation

Considerations when operating as a company on incorporation.

Insuring your business

Are you sufficiently covered?

Limited liability partnerships

LLPs explained.

Names, trademarks, patents and other registrations

The key legal requirements.

Premises and location

Essential considerations when choosing your base.

Raising finance

Maximise your chances of gaining funding.

Should you buy a franchise?

The pros and cons of buying 'off-the-shelf'.

Which business structure?

Choosing the structure that best suits your needs.

Working from home

Home working do's and don'ts.

Writing a business plan

How to write an effective business plan.

Your business vision

What are your ultimate goals?

25 Sep 2023

IoD outlines 'top five policy recommendations' to help drive economic growth

Business group the Institute of Directors (IoD) has outlined its top five policy recommendations to help spur sustainable economic growth

22 Sep 2023

Interest rates held at 5.25%

UK interest rates have been left unchanged at 5.25% by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

21 Sep 2023

HMRC urges nearly 430,000 young people to claim Child Trust Fund cash

HMRC has urged almost 430,000 young people with an unclaimed Child Trust Fund (CTF) to claim their cash.

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Getting started

IoD outlines 'top five policy recommendations' to help drive economic growth

Interest rates held at 5.25%

HMRC urges nearly 430,000 young people to claim Child Trust Fund cash