What is a group company structure?
A group is formed when one company has control of, owns, a number of subsidiary companies.
A group is different to an arrangement where an individual owns a number of companies personally. In this case the companies would be called associated or
Tax relief for training costs
If you are self-employed it is important to know if an expense is tax allowable. Any allowable costs can be used to reduce your taxable profit.
As a general rule you can claim for items that you would normally use for less than 2 years as allowable
Setting up as a sole trader
Setting up in business as a sole trader is arguably the simplest way of starting and running a business. The advantages of being a sole trader include independence, ease of set up and running your business, and the fact that all the profits go to
Post Office convictions quashed
Convictions of hundreds of postmasters have been quashed following Royal Assent of the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024.
Many postmasters endured financial ruin, the loss of homes, livelihoods, reputation and some even lost their lives
Customs declaration deadline
A reminder that businesses must submit all export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) by 4 June.
Businesses exporting goods have less than one month left to move across to the CDS, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced
New Companies House powers
The recently introduced Economic Crime and Transparency Act has gifted Companies House a range of new powers aimed at reducing exploitation by corporate entities to pursue illegal enterprise.
The aim of the new reforms are:
Introducing identity
Business rates relief in England
Business rates are a tax on non-domestic premises, including most commercial properties such as shops, offices, pubs, warehouses and factories. The money raised through business rates is used to help fund local services like the police, fire and
Free management course for SMEs
The government has launched the new Help to Grow: Management Essentials course; a short online course with practical tips and resources for small business leaders.
It is based on the 12-week Help to Grow: Management Course and is suited for leaders
COVID Bounce Back abuse
The Insolvency Service has recently published information confirming that a total of 831 company directors were banned in 2023-24 for Covid support scheme abuse, up more than 80% on the previous year, and that the average length of director
Settling energy disputes
Business owners that are in dispute with their energy suppliers will be interested in the free support on offer from the Energy Ombudsman.
In a recent press release the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed the