Accessibility links

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?

26 Jul 2021

Government announces simplified tax reporting for self-employed and small firms

Changes to the tax system that will make it easier for small businesses to fill out their returns have been announced by the government.

23 Jul 2021

FSB urges government to provide SMEs with better access to support and advice

In a new report, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with better access to business support and advice.

22 Jul 2021

UK to overhaul funding of research and development

The government is to review the bodies it uses to finance research and development (R&D) in the UK.