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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.

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?

21 Jul 2025

International companies 'underpaid £8.8 billion in tax'

HMRC estimates that US firms underpaid £8.8 billion in taxes in 2024.

18 Jul 2025

More small firms expect to shrink than grow

The proportion of small firms expecting to contract, sell or close outnumbered the percentage hoping to grow, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.

17 Jul 2025

Recruitment static as firms assess NICs impact

Recruitment at UK firms remained static in the second quarter of 2025 as businesses continued to assess the impact of the rise in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs), says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).