Business presentations
Through my membership in a business networking organisation, giving presentations is something that I have done regularly since 2008. Initially these were to one local group of 20-30 members but I have also presented to various sizes of groups up
Certifying accounts for mortgage purposes
When applying for a mortgage, the mortgage company will want evidence of your earnings. If you are an employee, then copies of your P60 or payslips are usually what they are looking for. When it comes to the self-employed, they
Getting started with social media
I created a simple guide to twitter, that accompanied my presentations I delivered throughout the South East UK and Spain: Getting started with twitter guide from James McBrearty
Is it time to buy that new equipment for your business?
The end of the tax year is approaching, on 5th April 2013. Now is a good time to review whether to purchase new equipment, whether that is computers, vehicles or other assets that you will use in the business. For
HMRC introduces 03 numbers (taxhelp.uk.com has since May 2011)
Increasingly people are using mobile phones to make calls, rather than from a landline. Unfortunately, many mobile phone contracts do not include 0845 numbers in their inclusive calls allowance – meaning that there is a cost for the call, which
Flexible working is another benefit of being self-employed?
A recent survey found that over three-quarters of employees would like the opportunity for flexible working. As a self-employed person, this can easily be achieved – structuring your day so that you can complete your work as well as minimise
HMRC’s Business Records Checks (BRC)
HMRC has a programme where it is contacting businesses to review their business records. The format of this is that firstly a letter is sent to the business, and then a telephone call is made about a week later to
HMRC increasing the number of call centre staff
Perhaps you may know someone who has spent a long time trying to contact HMRC by phone? HMRC’s own statistics show that in 2010/11 only 48% of calls were answered, however this increased to 74% in 2011/12. Their target is
47% increase in the number of ATT students
As a fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians(ATT), as well as serving on their Member Steering Group, I was pleased to hear about the growth in student numbers. In the 9 months to the end of September 2012 the
Payroll changes for 2013 – Real Time Information (RTI)
If you do not operate a payroll, then this does not apply to you. For those that do run a payroll, even if there is only one employee, then the new changes will apply from 6th April 2013. In the
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)
You may have heard about this in the press, or could have received a letter from HMRC. It only applies to people when their own, or their partner’s, income exceeds £50,000 a year – if your income is below this
The Association of Taxation Technicians Member steering group
Later this month sees me back in central London, for the next quarterly meeting. As a fellow of the ATT, I have also served on the Member steering group for some years. The meetings are held at the ATT’s head
