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We're here with practical tax information for your business. Find out about business taxes, tax planning and more.

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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.

Start Your Own Business podcast celebrates 200,000 downloads

11 March 2025

The Start Your Own Business podcast, created by the team behind the Donut small business websites, is celebrating two exciting milestones. The podcast has reached 200,000 downloads in the same week that the 50th episode is released.

Fiona Prior, host of the Start Your Own Business podcast, said, "We're really excited to reach our 50th episode and 200,000 downloads. We never imagined it would be this successful when we first started out.

"Running your own business is challenging. Overnight, you become captain of your own ship and it's down to you to keep things afloat. We have spoken to some really inspiring small businesses and leading experts and we have covered the whole gamut of small business topics. Everything you need to know when running your own business. I can't wait for the new episodes to drop."

Upcoming episodes feature Gus Bhandal, founder of LinkedIn-first digital and social media marketing agency, The M Guru, Darren Fell, founder and CEO of Crunch Accounting and small-business marketing specialist, Tracy Heatley.

Launched in March 2021, the Start Your Own Business podcast has become a must-listen resource for sole traders and small business leaders here in the UK. Fiona said, "We wouldn't have reached this point without our fabulous sponsors. This series we’re delighted to be working with investment platform, Lightyear. We also couldn’t have done it without our original host, Chloë Thomas and all the fabulous guests who have given us their time and insights.”

Episode 50 of the Start Your Own Business podcast will be released on 11 March 2025.

Start Your Own Business podcast

Written by Rachel Miller.

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