Last time, I wrote about dodgy adverts promising non-existent VAT loopholes. But what if your VAT bill has arrived and you haven't got the full amount? Before you do anything, breathe. There are options here, and there's a sensible order to go through them. What HMRC doesn't do is shout any of this [...]
Category Archives: Small Business
27
Jun
Jun
You know what? I'm going to be that accountant today. The one who's a right pain about VAT. The one who asks awkward questions and wants to see the receipts. The one who, when you suggest a creative approach to your VAT return, goes very quiet. I have a reason for being that person. It [...]
10
Jun
Jun
If you run a restaurant, café, or food-led pub and you have a children's menu, there's something worth knowing about this summer. The government has confirmed a temporary reduction in VAT on children's eat-in meals from the standard 20% down to 5%, running from the 25th of June to the 1st of September 2026. It's [...]
01
Apr
Apr
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax isn't coming. For a lot of sole traders and landlords, it's already here. And yet most of the people I speak to still aren't quite sure what it means for them, what they need to do, or whether they should be panicking. (Spoiler: you shouldn't. But you should probably [...]
12
Feb
Feb
This weekend, restaurants in Glasgow’s Finnieston will be packed. Some couples will be gazing into each other's eyes over candlelight. Others will be staring at the menu, desperate to avoid eye contact. Valentine's Day has a way of making us think about our relationships. But there's one relationship most of us never properly examine: the [...]
16
Dec
Dec
How is it Christmas already? The festive season is already in full swing, but we’ve taken the time to note a few things down that will help you save on tax (as well as some gift ideas from independent businesses, obviously). If you’re wondering how you can best spread Christmas cheer to your hard-working team [...]
20
Nov
Nov
When Sophie opened her email from Companies House last week, her heart sank. The subject line mentioned the 18th of November 2025, and as she scanned through the jargon about “identity verification” and “personal codes”, one thought kept going through her mind: “I need to get this done by the 18th of November.” She reached […]
29
Oct
Oct
At the start of this month, I sat in a witness box for the first time in my career. Not writing a report from a safe distance like I used to do years ago at KPMG. Actually there. In court. About to be cross-examined as an expert witness. The case? It started back in April […]
30
Jun
Jun
Yep, we’re officially in the thick of the cost of living crisis. It’s a nerve-wracking time for many entrepreneurs, with small business owners especially feeling the pinch. If you’ve had sleepless nights worrying about how you’re going to pay your suppliers or support your staff, we don’t blame you. It’s likely you’ve already looked at […]
16
Jun
Jun
Working with the type of brilliant minds we do, we’ve learned, most creative business owners have some trepidation over their finances. There’s a lot they’re unsure about and ultimately it results in them taking a step back from their finances. It means creatives are often undercharging, have a “keep their fingers crossed” attitude to cashflow […]
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