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Useful guides from MoneySavingExpert.com Do I need a business bank account?Coronavirus Self-Employed & Small Limited Company Help
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The new GOV.UK One Login
Having been involved in self-employment, business ownerships, partnerships etc., I have several Government Gateway emails and logins appropriate to each. The new GOV.UK One Login seems to be encouraging just one login, although depending on how it is introduced and presented, it seems that you can end up with more than one…
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Seeking a trustworthy, affordable accountant – London preferred but UK-wide fine
Hi all — I've been a member of this forum for over a decade and have always found it genuinely useful, so I hope you'll forgive me for asking here directly. I'm looking for a reliable, affordable accountant. I run a one business which I am looking turn into a limited company and have been self-employed for over 20 years,…
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What protection is there for a purchase made by a charity via bank transfer?
I really wish I'd seen more of the awful reviews on trustpilot and here before purchasing from Sensory Education. In October 2025 I bought a 'bespoke' (I wasn't told it was bespoke and being made in europe) cabinet from them on behalf of a SEN charity, costing £1,044- and paid by bank transfer against their invoice. They…
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changing tax year end
Hi, As a self employed business I would like to change my end of tax year from 5th April ( which it has been for the last 10 years) to 31st March, This is to align with credit card statements and bank statements and make it easier when I have to complete Making Tax Digital ( currently my gross earnings is about 25K). I…
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New Business Startup Questions - Business from home
I’m in the process of setting up my small business which is home based baking and catering for small events. It’s an idea I have been brewing for a few years now and I have practiced with baking various things (always enjoyed and been good at basic baking) and have been practicing cake decorating techniques and taking my…
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Managing multiple bank feeds into FreeAgent – any tips?
We’ve got four business bank accounts and our bookkeeper currently downloads statements from each one, then imports them into FreeAgent. The issue is the formats are all slightly different, so we keep running into small errors during reconciliation and it takes extra time to fix each month. Is there a simpler or more…
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Need some advice
Hi everyone, I need some advice regarding opening a business. I have never opened or done business and neither has anyone in my family so I thought this would be a good place to ask. My friends and I (there are 3 of us) are looking to open a children's residential care home in London. We are each investing an equal amount…
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Capital on Tap - any experiences?
Can anyone share any experiences with Capital on Tap? On the face of it, the products look fairly decent: Cashback on daily spending (already have a Business Amex so would use theirs when Amex wasn't accepted) Upto 3.82% on business savings (company doesn't have loads but enough to make it worthwhile, but still keep it…
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Sole Trader Setting Up - Help!
Hi everyone 👋 I'm currently in the process of setting up as a sole trader alongside my part-time job, but I really am completely clueless on how to run a business and wondered if anyone could help. Sorry in advance for the long post. I'll be offering consultancy, so selling services rather than goods. Future-proofing, if…
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Rijo Coffee Machine; Ending Contract with CF Corporate Finance
I took out a contract with Rijo for a Brasil Coffee Machine, as a new business starting out I was nervous of signing a contract but advised it would all work out but not to worry if it didnt, support would be in place! I obviously decided to take the monthly payment options as could not afford the £8k they advised it would…
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Voluntary National Insurance for Self Employed Low Earner. Handholding needed please!
Hi all I'm sorry to have to come and ask for help, but my eyes go fuzzy and my brain clouds over when it comes to stuff like this! I've been self-employed since Sept 2025. I'm well under the threshold to pay through self assessment (I think! - I've earned under £2,000) so as I understand it I can pay voluntarily. If that…
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Does my business have a value can it be sold??
Hi. I'm self employed and deal in building maintenance, renovations & repairs. On larger projects I get specialists in that I trust and overseas as well as work. Over the years I have built up a good client list based on trust, good work and word of mouth. I have never advertised. I belive if you do a good job, priced…
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Self employment in addition to full time contract
Good morning! I work full time employed for a company on £47,800 PA. This is variable due to sometimes having overtime. My basic pay is generally around £3,200 after tax/pension etc but can go up to £4,000 with overtime. Like I say this varies. I am about to take on a side hustle on days off. This will earn around £300-500…
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tax return and pension
I am self-employed, and make in the low 20k a year. I have a couple of questions about the new quarterly digital tax returns. Firstly, I currently complete a very basic tax return in that I say my outgoings are 1k a year, so I don't itemise them. Will I be able to continue to do this? I don't issue invoices, as I get paid…
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PLI for three months time.
Hiya, Does anyone know how I can get a PLI for end of May and for a short amount of time? Essentially I'm performing a play at a small festival but they're insisting I have a PLI, or the venue does to apply. I can't contact the possible venues till they've accepted my application and I don't seem to be able to book for a…
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Self Employed Sickness Insurance Cover
Hi all, So recently my dad had a bout of prostate cancer which thankfully he’s recovering from but after complications with his operation, he couldn’t work for around 3 months. Luckily for my dad he’s in full recovery but also he was super lucky that his employer (a huge supermarket brand) gave him full sick pay for his…
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Business Banking Switch
Hi All I've searched through the forum but can't see an answer to this. Santander is closing my local branch, so I am considering a move to Ulster Bank for 2yrs free transactions etc etc. I know the switching service takes 7 days, but my question is - is there an overlap period between the two accounts for invoices already…
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Running small business from home - home insurance? Business insurance? Both?
Hi! I started a small 3d printing Etsy business which has some what taken off. I have registered the company as a sole trader. My home insurance is up for renewal and I'm not sure what I need. Obviously I will get home insurance, but does this need to cover the business too? Or do I get standard home insurance and get…
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Device insurance
Does anyone have any good recommendations for business device insurance? Specifically a handful of MacBook Pros. Currently have cyber, public liability, etc through Hiscox but wondered if there are better/other recommendations specifically for tech devices?
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Changing Accountant
Hi, hoping someone can help. I've run my now very small limited company for about 17 years and getting close to retirement. Had the same accountant for all that time but who has also recently retired and sold the business to one of these firms who have multiple branches. Unfortunately you can never get to speak to anyone,…
