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We've scoured the web to get you the most up-to-date advice which includes the most useful tools on offer from the officials themselves.

Effective tax planning is essential if you are to minimise your tax bills. Simple tax planning can significantly reduce your tax liabilities.

The self-assessment tax return is an unavoidable burden if you are liable for self-employed tax or have complicated income tax affairs.

Corporation tax is charged on a company's profits. If you trade as a limited company, ensure that paying this tax is as painless as possible.

National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are payable whether you are self-employed or employed by your own company, although different rates apply.

As well as your legal obligations, you’ll want to ensure that payroll is painless and that you use any opportunities to improve your tax-efficiency.

VAT

Effective VAT planning aims to ensure that VAT is relatively painless, and that you are reclaiming as much as possible of the VAT you pay.

Capital gains are made when you sell something for more money than you paid for it. As a result, you can be subject to tax. Take professional advice.

Business property taxes apply to businesses with commercial premises.There are two commercial property taxes: business rates and stamp duty land tax.

If you have tax problems or face a tax investigation, it pays to seek professional advice and you must act rather than just hoping for the best.

More businesses get the green light to reopen in July

23 June 2020

Many more businesses in England will be able to reopen from 4 July, including pubs, hotels, restaurants and hairdressers.

As anticipated, Boris Johnson has relaxed the two-metre social distancing rule in a move that will allow more businesses in England to open their doors. The government has said that the latest changes are intended to "enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs".

From Saturday 4 July, two households will be able to meet up in any setting as long as they adhere to social distancing measures. Where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, government guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of one metre as long as they follow all other guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, as well as holiday accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs and campsites. Some leisure facilities may also reopen, if they can do so safely - including outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks, libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.

However, "close proximity" venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will have to stay closed for now.

"Reducing the two-metre rule will undoubtedly bring relief to many businesses," said Edwin Morgan, director of policy at the Institute of Directors (IoD).

"A quarter of our members have said that under current social distancing rules they are likely to operate at less than half capacity. For many, this simply isn't sustainable, particularly with the furlough scheme set to wind down.

"This change isn't a panacea, and doesn't mean safety can take a backseat. If anything, the onus is now even more on directors to ensure rigorous mitigating measures are in place. In some cases, this won't be easy or cheap. With many firms already strapped for cash, the Treasury should consider supporting companies to make the necessary adjustments, particularly as some haven't been able to access schemes so far."

Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), welcomed the measures but warned that "we are still a long way from business as usual".

He said: "Broader efforts to boost business and consumer confidence will still be needed to help firms trade their way out of this crisis. Businesses … need a clear roadmap to recovery, including fresh support for the worst-affected sectors and geographic areas, and broader fiscal measures to get the economy moving again."

Written by Rachel Miller.

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