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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.

Registration opens for UK’s foremost event for UK scale ups

27 May 2025

The UK’s SME XPO is back for 2025, a dynamic two-day event dedicated to powering scale-up business success. Focused on scale-up leaders and founders, this year’s show promises a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and innovators

Now entering its fourth year, the exhibition brings together a diverse range of businesses, investor community including early stage/ angel investors and VCs,as well as resources to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration. The event is scheduled for June 18-19, returning to ExCeL in London. Registration is now open, offering FREE access. Register for free tickets at: SME XPO 2025 Registration

With over 5,000 scale-up founders and owners and more than 100 best-in-class suppliers, SME XPO 2025 provides a unique space for scale-up businesses to showcase their products and services, connect with potential clients and investors as well as alternative finance options, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders in curated workshops and networking sessions.

Agenda highlights:

Packed with insightful sessions, catering to diverse SME interests, there's something for everyone. With four key themes – Starting Out, Scaling Up, Money Talks and Future Tech & AI, attendees can expect valuable insights and practical strategies in over 50 workshops and talks. Topics range from ‘The secrets to fast growth.. and the pitfalls’, through to ‘AI’, ‘ransomware’, and ‘Launching into new territories across the world’, featuring real-life experiences from leading entrepreneurs.

SME XPO will feature over 60 esteemed speakers. The lineup features keynote speakers Piers Linney, former investor on Dragon’s Den and Theo Paphitis, entrepreneurial tycoon, as well as Dr Alka Patel, esteemed longevity and wellbeing Expert and Jack Smith, CEO of Love Finance.

Explore the growing list by downloading the full agenda at: SME_XPO_AGENDA_2025.pdf

Investors and networking:

With the growth in business financing opportunities opening up across the UK, a key focus of the event this year is to provide attendees and exhibitors with access and education to the UK's top investors. The new Finance Networking Hub is being sponsored by Metro Bank, and Gold Pass holders will have access to ‘invite only’ investor roundtables. Organisations supporting SME XPO include EISA, the official trade body for the Enterprise Investment Scheme, VenturePath, the scale-up investment partners, and the ScaleUp Institute, the leading voice for the scale-up community.

Featured exhibitors:

Alongside enlightening sessions and inspiring speakers, SME XPO will showcase a diverse array of exhibitors, offering attendees the chance to explore innovative Products and services. Notable exhibitors include Worldpay, Towergate, Octopus Energy & Guavapay.

Sponsors:

This year’s key sponsors include Metro Bank, BT, Axa and Love Finance as well as Dell, returning for the 3rd time this year.

“SME XPO is stronger than ever this year, we are very proud of how we have been able to bring together the very best in UK business expertise, investors, speakers and exhibitors to support the invaluable UK scale-up community.

“Today, more than ever, the UK economy needs to step up a gear, and this is the core community that can help with this.” Sam North, founder of SME XPO

SME XPO 2025 promises to be a transformative event for the scale-up community, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to scale and succeed in today's competitive business environment.

For more information and to register for free, head to the SME XPO website.

Press release from the SME Expo.

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