The taxman cometh (5)

Choosing your accounts software To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer – you’ll remember that adage if you are of a certain age. But the reality is that these days we all need to do our accounts on a computer. That means choosing what...

The taxman cometh (4)

Choosing your accountant Choosing the right accountant for you and your business is crucial. You need to be able to trust your accountant to do the best for you, to give you accurate advice and to present your affairs in an honest and accurate manner to the taxman....

The taxman cometh (3)

Get an accountant Every creative freelance should hire an accountant to do their accounts and file their tax returns. Many freelances refuse to pay an accountant, preferring instead to struggle through their self-assessment form themselves. Well good luck to you, if...

The taxman cometh (2)

Paperwork Organise yourself. Ask for receipts and keep them. In fact, file them – don’t just stuff them in a carrier bag to deal with later. Handing over a shoebox of receipts to an accountant at the end of the year is a guarantee of a more expensive accountant’s bill...

The taxman cometh (1)

Happy new year Today is the first day of the new tax year (it runs to 5 April 2013). As of today you can earn £7,440 over the next 12 months without paying any tax. But that is £7,440 after expenses. That’s after you have deducted the cost of travel, of equipment, of...

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