Category

Financing

The financing channel looks at the different small business funding options available to start-up companies and established SME businesses looking to grow. Read a wealth of guides and tips to help manage your accounts and cash flow better, views on the future of business banking and where to source alternative finance.

How to forecast more accurately

If you already run a business, you will have a trading history and will be able to use this to make decisions about the future.

Accounting

Alternative finance

How to punch above your financial weight

A key element of business growth is having the finance available to make the most of opportunities as they arise. Maintaining a steady cash flow and securing additional funds for expansion and development are two of the biggest challenges facing smaller firms.

Accounting

Buying property through a company

Can a private individual set up a company to buy houses and then buy their own house through that company and rent it back? Are there any benefits of doing this?

Tax

Taxman clamps down on dividends

An increasingly tough approach from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) means owner-manager shareholders could pay a high price for failing to stick closely to the rules relating to dividend payments.

Tax

Tax exemptions for home-based workers

I would like to find out what tax exemptions are available for home-based workers, if any, i.e. in terms of vehicle usage. Unfortunately, the Inland Revenue site is abysmal to say the least. Can you help?

Accounting

Business expenses claimable against Income Tax

I am a sole-trader who has been trading for 3 years. I currently have rented office space, however I am in the process of extending my home to provide me with the facilities to work there instead. What build / equipment costs, if any, can I write off against tax?

Accounting

Debt advice for small businesses

Many small businesses operate on a very tight budget. Figures published by the Insolvency Service show that up to 13,000 companies go into liquidation and 11,000 self-employed people are declared bankrupt annually. The need for debt advice for small businesses has never before been in such demand.

Government Grants

Business start-up grants

How could I get a grant for my new business, I've heard about start-up grants but I've never received one? Where could I get info on this?

Accounting

Debt advice for small businesses

Many small businesses operate on a very tight budget. Figures published by the Insolvency Service show that up to 13,000 companies go into liquidation and 11,000 self-employed people are declared bankrupt annually. The need for debt advice for small businesses has never before been in such demand.

Government Grants

Business start-up grants

How could I get a grant for my new business, I've heard about start-up grants but I've never received one? Where could I get info on this?

Accounting

Tax charges on a second income

My boyfriend and I are planning on starting a part-time business making and selling canvas prints of art work, personal photos and other images - on top of us both working full-time. We will not be making a massive amount of money, it will just be turning a hobby into profit, so will we have to pay tax or any other charges on whatever we earn? I have been told you can earn up to £4,999 without having to pay tax. Do I need to declare the money being earned even if it's less than this amount?

Accounting

Vehicles that are considered for tax relief

I am about to replace my car and have been told by my accountant that 25 per cent relief is allowed on cars and 40% relief is allowed on vans. Which vehicles are considered as 'vans' for the purposes of tax? I have quite a lot of equipment to carry around (ladders etc) and so maybe a van would been of greater benefit than a large estate car. I hope that you can advise. Thank you!

Alternative finance

Need to know: Asset-based finance

Waiting for invoices to be paid before investing the proceeds in your business can seriously impede growth. SmallBusiness.co.uk examines how factoring and invoice discounting can speed up expansion.

Small Business Banking

How interest rates affect your business

When it comes to the cost of borrowing, burgeoning UK ventures have rarely had it so good. Base interest rates are at historically low levels, having been on a downward trend since the late 1980s. But this could be about to change.

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?