Accounting Blog

Software subscriptions are often deductible business expenses when they are ordinary, necessary, and used for business purposes. This article explains which software costs qualify, how to handle mixed personal use, record-keeping requirements, accounting methods, and common mistakes to avoid when claiming software subscriptions on your taxes.

Learn the key differences between invoices and receipts, including their purposes, timing, legal roles, and accounting impact. This guide explains when to use each document, how they support accurate financial records, and why understanding invoices versus receipts is essential for businesses, freelancers, and consumers.

Learn what coworking expenses you can legitimately claim, from membership fees and meeting rooms to equipment, travel, and subscriptions. This practical guide explains “wholly and exclusively,” apportionment, documentation, and common pitfalls, helping freelancers, employees, and small businesses build a clear, defensible approach to claiming coworking-related costs for modern flexible work.

This guide explains when you need to charge UK VAT on digital services. It covers VAT registration, electronically supplied services, B2B vs B2C rules, place of supply, UK and overseas customers, and common pitfalls. Includes practical examples and a step-by-step checklist for freelancers, SaaS founders, and digital sellers.

Learn VAT rates in plain English. This guide explains standard, reduced, and zero-rated VAT, how each affects prices, invoices, and cash flow, and why zero-rated is not the same as exempt. Ideal for consumers and businesses wanting to charge correctly, reclaim input VAT, and avoid costly mistakes with confidence today.

Sole trader pension tax relief can cut your income tax while building retirement savings. This guide explains relief at source, higher-rate claims via Self Assessment, contribution limits, NIC treatment, and common pitfalls. Learn how to maximise relief, avoid errors, and plan pension contributions confidently as a self-employed individual today now.

Can you claim clothing as a business expense? This guide explains when uniforms, protective gear, and occupation-specific clothing are deductible, why everyday workwear usually isn’t, and how tax authorities assess claims. Learn the rules, exceptions, and documentation needed to avoid mistakes and reduce audit risk for self-employed freelancers and businesses.

Receiving a letter from HMRC can be worrying, but most notices are routine. This guide explains why HMRC writes, how to verify letters, what actions to take first, and when to seek help—covering tax codes, payments, penalties, compliance checks, deadlines, and practical steps to respond calmly and correctly every time.

Learn what “simplest bookkeeping” really means for very small businesses. This guide explains cash-basis, single-entry bookkeeping, simple ledgers, categories, receipts, and reconciliation—helping freelancers and microbusiness owners stay compliant, understand cash flow, reduce stress, and build habits they can maintain as their business grows over time with practical, low-effort routines weekly.