A guide to contracting in the UK
Introduction This is my complete guide to contracting in the UK. When you first take the step to go contracting through your own company there may be many questions that you would like the answers to. In fact, there is...
Choose a name for a UK company
Introduction When you set up your own incorporated business, besides undertaking tasks like setting up a company bank account, you will need to choose a name for your UK company. I have a separate guide on how to change...
Pre trading business expenditure
Introduction How do you claim for your pre trading business expenditure? First of all, it may be expensive when you set up a new company or business. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you are aware of pre...
What is the cost to set up your UK company
Introduction When you start your own UK company, one thing to consider is what is the cost to set up your company? First of all, are you ready to go ahead and set up your own company? If you are, there are a few ways that...
Company bank account -the basics
Introduction When you start your own company for the first time, one of the first tasks will be to open a business bank account. You can do this shortly after you have formed your company. I have a first timer's guide to...
Forming a UK company
Introduction What is the process when you are forming a UK company and what does it cost to set a new company up? Well, first of all you have certain director duties from the outset to consider. Companies House is the...
How to change the name of my company
Introduction During your time as a contractor, when you are running your own company, you may decide that you would like to change your company’s name for one reason or another. It could be that you feel that the name...
Company secretary -do you need one?
Introduction What is the company secretary’s role? As a company owner, does my business need one? What’s more, what do they do, and what benefits would this give to my business? When you run a UK company or business,...
Working away from home overnight
Introduction Working away from home overnight -what can you claim for as a contractor as a genuine business expense? While you are contracting, you may, from time to time, need to stay away from home overnight. You may...
The two year rule (travel expenses)
Introduction What is this term, the two-year rule? If you are running your own company have you come across this in the past, but you are not sure what this means? Well, let me start with this. In general, the cost of...
My company cannot pay its taxes
Introduction What should I do if I find that your company cannot pay its taxes? When you are a director and you are running your own company, it is your responsibility and part of your director...
How much dividends can I take?
Introduction How much dividends can I take from my business? This thought is a common one when you run your own company. What's more, when you calculate this, you are going to work out the levels of your post-tax profits....
A loan to a director or shareholder
Introduction From a technical standpoint, it is not allowed under the Companies Act for companies to make a loan to a director or shareholder. However, for directors who run their own company, it goes on all the time....
Duties of a UK company director
Introduction What are the duties of a UK company director? Well, when you are a director and you have set up your own company, there are several duties that you need to follow. You will also need to keep up with these...
Running my own limited company
Introduction When I am running my own limited company and I have set this up, there are many things to consider from day to day. As a company owner you have certain director duties and your details will be available on...
Maximise your basic rate tax band
Introduction When you run your own UK company, how can you maximise your basic rate tax band in 2021/22? Also, at the same time, how can you also be tax-efficient? In this article, I am going to take a look at how you...
Trivial Benefits, what are they?
Introduction Here I take the time to explain what makes up a `Trivial Benefit’. This allowance is one that you can claim as a business expense when you run your own company. This is also one of my handy tax tips for...
Home office -how to create this!
Introduction When you are creating your own home office, what should you think about? Today, hundreds of thousands of people work from home in the UK. It comes as no surprise as it can be good to...
Marketing and advertising
Image from rawpixel.com Introduction As a contractor, can you claim for for marketing and advertising as business expenses? When you run your own company, there may come a...
Renting a house or flat on contract
Introduction Are you planning on renting a house or flat on contract that is near your worksite? You may need to do this while you are working away on the contract. The question is a common one as the costs can be quite...
Company car versus private car
Introduction Company car versus private car. First of all, how do they compare in terms of tax savings and the taxes that are payable? What's more, when you run a company car through your own business, there are both...
Working away from home overnight
Introduction Working away from home overnight -what can you claim for as a contractor as a genuine business expense? While you are contracting, you may, from time to time, need to stay away from home overnight. You may...
Business meals & lunches
Introduction We all need to eat to survive as human beings. However, when are business meals and lunches allowed as a business expense where you can claim tax relief? I am looking here at a contractor who is eating on...
The two year rule (travel expenses)
Introduction What is this term, the two-year rule? If you are running your own company have you come across this in the past, but you are not sure what this means? Well, let me start with this. In general, the cost of...
The Christmas party
Introduction If you have your own business, can you claim for the annual Christmas party as a genuine business expense? Many contractors ask me what they can claim for this. Well, if you are running your own UK company,...
Electric and hybrid cars
Introduction Today, electric and hybrid cars are fairly new on the scene. Indeed, as time moves forward, these should become more energy-efficient and more friendly to the environment. The...
Welcome to the CAUK contractor blog area.
Here you will find all of my free content. These cover all sorts of areas with regard to contractor finances.