Latest General Practice

Do you have gaps in your National Insurance records (35 years contributions are required for maximum state pension entitlement)? Have you recently retired to help out with your grandchildren’s childcare but you are not yet old enough to receive state pension?   If so, and the child’s main carer is working and in receipt of…

With over 1,000 apps available on the Xero App Store alone, it can be difficult to know which apps are best suited to your business.   Whilst every business is unique and will have different requirements, I believe there are two key app types that should always be part of your app selection, or “app…

There’s never been a better time to become an eco-friendly company.  Not only for the wellbeing of the planet but it also makes good business-sense.   Although financial measures are very important in deciding the performance of a business, there are many non-financial measures which can affect your figures. Being sustainable is something that customers…

Reconciling your bank account is an important task in managing your businesses finances. This is because, by doing this we are making sure that all business transactions are being recorded and more importantly, you can identify any unusual transactions that may be taking place in your company. Xero has a feature in which you can…

From April 2023, the government will be tightening up the rules in England where currently some landlords do not pay either business rates or council tax on their furnished holiday lets.  In most cases, however, landlords will want to be assessed for business rates in the hope of qualifying for small business rates relief (SBRR),…

Due to the continuing difficulties that Covid continues to present, today HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced they are waiving late filing and late payment penalties for Self Assessment taxpayers for one month – giving extra time, if needed, to complete your 2020 to 2021 tax return and pay any tax due.   HMRC…

Businesses may be hoping they can hold their annual Christmas parties this month. Providing the event is annual, open to all employees and the total cost, including VAT, is less than £150 per person (including non employee guest attendees), this will be a non-taxable benefit in kind (ie free of PAYE tax and National Insurance…

Those businesses with comprehensive commercial insurance cover will possibly be covered for ‘business interruption’. This cover will typically include losses arising from events that close or severely disrupt operations. The COVID pandemic has already led to many claims under this. The insurance industry (as you might expect?) has warned that few policies are likely to…

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 December 2021.   The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car.   The advisory fuel rates for journeys…

One of the first things you will need to do when starting to use Xero is to connect your bank accounts, this is a relatively simple step by step process.   Step 1: Go to the accounting menu on the top blue ribbon bar and select bank accounts.   Step 2: Click add bank account…