A series of easy to understand factsheets covering the issues that small and medium size businesses need know about. They are downloadable and include signposting to appropriate useful information and tools on the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Business Link websites
Keeping records for business (PDF 105K)
Find out what records you need to keep if you are running a business
Self Assessment - the
three line account (PDF 75K)
Find out about using the three line account for Self Assessment and how it can make it easier for you if you are self-employed or have income
from property
Employing someone for the first time (PDF 183K)
Find out about your responsibilities as an employer - who counts as an employee, how to register as an employer with HMRC and where to get
help and advice
Paying your tax - what you need to know (PDF 98K)
Find out about the benefits of paying by Direct Debit, when to make a payment, using the correct reference number and where to get help
and advice
Problems paying your tax - what you need to know (PDF 78K)
Information on how to avoid payment problems, what to do if they occur, who to contact in HMRC and what can happen if you ignore HMRC's demands
for payment
Working for yourself - what you need to know (PDF 94K)
Find out how and when to register as self-employed and what you need to do to make sure that your tax and National Insurance contributions
are correct from the start
Paying tax if you buy and sell things from home - what you need to know (PDF 90K)
If you work from home buying or selling things, for example on the internet, on auction websites, at car boot sales or in other ways, you need to
know whether you should be registered
Starting a limited company (PDF 102K)
Information on what you need to do if you are starting a limited company - registering with Companies House and telling HMRC
Importing and exporting goods - what you need to know (PDF 94K)
Find out what procedures you will need to follow when bringing in to or sending goods from the UK to countries outside the European Union
and what charges and duties you'll need to pay
If you stop trading
- what you need to know (PDF 89K)
Find out what you need to do and who to contact in HMRC
Expenses and
allowances for the self-employed (PDF 108K)
Information on expenses and allowances, claiming capital allowances and how VAT can affect your allowable expenses
VAT
- what you need to know
Easy to understand factsheet explaining the basics of VAT
Going back into business -
what you need to know (PDF 170K)
Find out what you need to do and who to contact when you start back in business
