UK business finance fundamentals
The definitive pillar guides we wish every UK business owner had read before incorporating, hiring, or selling.
Exit and Capital Gains
Business Asset Disposal Relief Explained: The Definitive Guide for UK Business Owners
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) lets you pay 14% Capital Gains Tax on qualifying business disposals, rather than the standard 20% or 24%. This guide covers the £1 million lifetime limit, the two-year qualifying period, the 5% shareholding test, and how to plan your exit to secure the relief. We include worked examples, an action checklist, and the rule changes taking effect from April 2026.
Limited Company Tax
The Definitive Guide to Choosing a Contractor Accountant UK
Choosing the right contractor accountant UK is the single most important financial decision you'll make as a limited company contractor. This guide covers everything from IR35 status determination and optimal director pay strategies to MTD for ITSA compliance and how to avoid the common pitfalls that cost contractors thousands. Written by ICAEW-qualified practitioners who work with contractors across the UK every day.
Limited Company Tax
The Definitive Guide to Choosing a Limited Company Accountant in the UK
Choosing the right limited company accountant is one of the most important decisions a director makes. This guide covers everything from the statutory obligations your accountant should handle, to how fees work, what to look for in a specialist, and how to spot the difference between a bookkeeper and a chartered firm. Written by an ICAEW-qualified practitioner for UK directors, contractors, and growing businesses.
Bookkeeping and Compliance
The Definitive Guide to Choosing an Online Accountant UK (2025/26)
Choosing the right online accountant UK is one of the most important decisions a business owner makes. This guide compares the leading firms, explains what they actually do for your monthly fee, and helps you match the right service to your company structure, turnover, and complexity. Whether you run a limited company, work as a sole trader, or operate through a partnership, you'll find the answers here.
Sole Trader and Self Employment
The Definitive Guide to Choosing a Sole Trader Accountant in the UK (2025/26)
Choosing the right sole trader accountant is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your business. This guide covers everything from what to expect in fees and services, how the 2025/26 tax rules affect you, and the specific questions you must ask before signing up. Written by ICAEW-qualified accountants who work with sole traders across the UK every day.
Corporation Tax
How Does Corporation Tax Work: The Definitive Guide for UK Business Owners
Corporation tax is the tax on your limited company's profits. This pillar guide explains the rates, filing requirements, reliefs, and deadlines every UK director needs to know. Whether you're a new contractor, a growing small business, or an established partnership considering incorporation, we cover it all.
Director Pay and Dividends
How To Pay Yourself From A Limited Company: The Definitive Guide for UK Directors
Deciding how to pay yourself from a limited company is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make as a director. This guide covers salary versus dividends, the tax implications of each, director's loan accounts, and the rules around pension contributions. We include worked examples for 2025/26 and an action checklist to help you plan.
Incorporation and Structure
How to Register a Limited Company UK: The Definitive Guide for Business Owners
Registering a limited company UK is a straightforward process through Companies House, but the decisions you make at incorporation have lasting tax and legal consequences. This guide covers the full process, from choosing your company name and SIC code through to your first CT600 return and dividend paperwork. Written by ICAEW-qualified accountants who work with UK business owners every day.
Limited Company Tax
IR35 Explained: The Definitive Guide for UK Contractors and Businesses
IR35 is the tax legislation that determines whether a contractor working through their own limited company should be taxed like an employee. This definitive guide covers how IR35 works for both contractors and hiring businesses, the key differences between inside and outside IR35 engagements, how HMRC assesses contracts, and what you need to do to stay compliant. Whether you are a contractor, a small business director, or a company hiring contractors, this page explains everything.
Incorporation and Structure
Limited Company vs Sole Trader: The Definitive UK Guide for 2025/26
Choosing between a limited company and sole trader structure is one of the most consequential decisions a UK business owner makes. This guide compares tax efficiency, personal liability, administrative burden, and exit options using 2025/26 rates and real examples. By the end, you'll know which structure fits your situation and how to switch if you need to.
VAT and Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: The Definitive Guide for UK Businesses (2025/26)
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) will transform how sole traders, landlords, and partnerships report their income to HMRC. From April 2026, if your gross income exceeds £50,000, you must use MTD-compatible software to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the timeline and exemptions to software choices and practical steps for compliance.
R&D Tax Credits
R&D Tax Credit Specialist: The Definitive Guide for UK Businesses
R&D tax credits can return tens of thousands of pounds to your business. But HMRC scrutinises claims harder than ever. This guide explains the merged R&D scheme, qualifying costs, the Enhanced R&D Intensive Scheme, and why an r&d tax credit specialist is essential for a defensible claim.
R&D Tax Credits
R&D Tax Credits Explained: The Definitive Guide for UK Businesses
R&D tax credits are one of the most valuable reliefs available to UK limited companies that invest in innovation. This guide covers what qualifies as R&D, the different schemes, how the merged regime works from April 2024, and the practical steps to make a claim. Whether you're a software developer in Manchester's Northern Quarter or a manufacturer in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, this is your complete reference.
Sole Trader and Self Employment
The Definitive Self Assessment Tax Return Guide for UK Business Owners
This is the definitive Self Assessment Tax Return guide for UK business owners, sole traders, partnerships, and company directors. We cover who must file, how to register, key deadlines, allowable expenses, the transition to MTD for ITSA, and a practical action checklist. Written by ICAEW qualified accountants for real-world compliance.
Bookkeeping and Compliance
The Definitive Guide to Choosing and Working with a Small Business Accountant
Choosing the right small business accountant is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a business owner. This guide covers everything from what an accountant actually does for a limited company versus a sole trader, to how much you should expect to pay, what software they should use, and how to spot a good one before you sign. Written by ICAEW-qualified accountants for UK business owners.
VAT and Making Tax Digital
VAT Accountant: The Definitive Guide for UK Businesses
VAT is one of the most complex taxes a UK business faces. This guide covers everything from compulsory and voluntary registration through to Making Tax Digital, VAT schemes, partial exemption, and common pitfalls. Whether you are a limited company director, a sole trader approaching the £90,000 threshold, or a partnership with multiple VAT liabilities, this page gives you the practical knowledge you need, and tells you when to call a VAT accountant.
VAT and Making Tax Digital
When to Register for VAT: The Definitive Guide for UK Business Owners
VAT registration is triggered by a £90,000 turnover threshold over 12 months, but the rules around exactly when you must register are more nuanced than a single number. This guide covers compulsory and voluntary registration, the 30-day notification window, how to measure turnover, and what happens if you miss the deadline. You'll also find worked examples, penalty calculations, and a clear action checklist for your business.