Resources

We regularly write articles on a wide range of relevant topics so that contractors, consultants and freelancers can be better informed to make the right choices. Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest posts or search our archives below.

Search

Barry Adams

Mar 12
1 min

Budget 2020

A short summary of the tax measures introduced by the Chancellor on 11 March 2020.

13 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Feb 26
3 min

R&D tax credits

In order to support companies that work on innovative projects in science and technology, the government offers research and development (R&D) tax credits. T...

1 viewWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Feb 19
5 min

Limited Company vs Self-employed vs Employed

Between Brexit and changes to IR35 legislation, the contracting space is looking uncertain at best so many contractors are weighing up their options and cons...

10 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Feb 12
3 min

Record keeping as a contractor

There are no rules on how to keep records as a contractor but your records need to be accurate, complete and readable.

9 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Feb 5
5 min

Tips for starting out as a contractor with a limited company

10 tips for starting your limited company as a contractor 1. Invoice on time If you get a 12-month contract and you’re expected to invoice monthly, make sure...

18 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Jan 31
3 min

Break the January stress cycle

Get your tax return submitted early January is usually a tough month for everyone so why make it harder with the stress of scrambling to complete your tax re...

2 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Dec 16, 2019
2 min

Claiming food as a business expense

Correctly claim food and drink expenses Claiming food as a business expense through a limited company can be very complicated as there are so many factors th...

40 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Nov 28, 2019
4 min

Get paid on time

Tips to help you get paid earlier While an IT contractor or creative freelancer is less likely to go out of business as a result of late payments than a trad...

14 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Nov 28, 2019
3 min

Re-billing Expenses

Advice on passing your expenses onto your client Re-billing expenses might seem like a simple task but it’s an area that we commonly see mistakes especially w...

12 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Nov 28, 2019
4 min

Invoicing Guide

What needs to be on an invoice? Essential items Your trading name – the name that your client will recognise as your business. Your contact details – usually...

8 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Nov 5, 2019
5 min

Tax breaks for electric car owners

Possible tax savings on electric company cars In 20 years the UK plans to ban the manufacture of petrol/diesel cars so the switch to an electric car is more ...

75 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Nov 5, 2019
3 min

IR35 tips for contractors

Tips to help contractors stay outside of IR35 IR35 governs whether a contractor working through a limited company is a legitimate business or just an ‘off-pa...

12 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Oct 15, 2019
3 min

How to spot HMRC scams

Spot the difference between real and fake HMRC communications In an age of MTD and tax ‘simplification’, HMRC are emailing, calling and even texting tax-paye...

11 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Oct 15, 2019
3 min

Payments on account for self-assessment

Explaining why you pay personal tax on account When your self-assessment tax bill goes over £1,000, you switch from the standard method of making one payment...

23 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Sep 12, 2019
3 min

Business Pension Contributions

Making personal pension contributions rather than business contributions through a company could cost you over £3k a year!

21 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Sep 11, 2019
2 min

Navigating the Government Gateway

A short guide on HMRC's online services and how to get your Government Gateway credentials.

14 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Jul 18, 2019
2 min

Open banking and FreeAgent

What is open banking and how it effects FreeAgent users Almost every client we’ve worked with loves FreeAgent but if there is ever an issue it’s likely to be...

29 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Jul 10, 2019
3 min

More bad news for landlords

Recent tax changes to be aware of if you have a rental property There has been a trend in recent years of the government changing legislation to get more tax...

21 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Jul 1, 2019
3 min

How will IR35 affect the private sector?

When IR35 changes are coming and what will change What is IR35? IR35 is the legislation that governs whether a contractor is a separate entity to the busines...

37 viewsWrite a comment

Mike Evans

Apr 18, 2019
2 min

2019/20 tax year

The new tax year started a few weeks ago and there are some significant changes for small business owners. You can download the Focus Accountancy tax app to...

7 viewsWrite a comment