Category: Business

Most small businesses in England will pay no business rates in 2020/21 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in last month’s Spring Budget that almost half of small firms will have a one-year business rates holiday. As part of financial measures announced to limit the economic impacts … Continued

The amount of capital gains tax small business owners can potentially save when they sell their business has been cut by 90% for 2020/21. Entrepreneurs’ relief allows people to pay a reduced 10% flat rate of capital gains tax on any gain made from selling a business, instead of the typical 20% or 28% rate. … Continued

A quarter of small business owners in the UK believe their company will fold in the next four years, research has claimed. Late payments (54%), tax rates (44%) and cyber-attacks (27%) were the biggest concerns among the 500 owner-managers polled by cloud accounting software provider Xero. Other challenges included Brexit (44%), maintaining or boosting levels … Continued

On 25 October 2019 the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid wrote to the Treasury Select Committee to confirm that the Budget will not take place on 6 November 2019 as originally planned. You can access the oficial letter here. We will ensure that we keep you informed of any further developments.

The number of people starting apprenticeships has fallen by 26% since the Government’s reforms to the apprenticeship system, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). In April 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) introduced several changes to the apprenticeships scheme, including a levy on large employers and a co-funding requirement from smaller … Continued

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal many UK businesses will need to apply the same processes to EU trade that apply when trading with the rest of the world. The VAT paid in other EU countries is often recoverable by VAT- registered businesses in the UK, who bought goods or services for … Continued

The Government has launched a new website service to help businesses prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU later this month. ‘Prepare your business for leaving the EU’ is an online tool that provides information on specific rules and regulations, and aims to inform business owners of what is changing in their sector. The … Continued

There is still uncertainty around what Brexit will mean and planning for a “No Deal” scenario seems sensible right now. The Government has published guidance: “UK government’s preparations for a no deal scenario” and it continues to provide updates on how to prepare for the event. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-governments-preparations-for-a-no-deal-scenario Businesses that buy and sell from the … Continued

New HMRC guidance on a no-deal Brexit has outlined steps British businesses need to take right now if they are importing or exporting goods. According to this HMRC guidance, there are three steps UK businesses need to take now: Register for a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.  Businesses will need an EORI … Continued

Small retail businesses in England will see a reduction to their business rates, as announced in Budget 2018. Business rates will be reduced by a third for many retail properties with a rateable value below £51,000 for two years from April 2019, subject to state aid limits. The Chancellor said this will mean “an annual … Continued