5 Oct 2023
If you want to avoid the stress of the tax period, follow these four simple steps to prepare your business in advance.
Tax season is one of the most stressful periods of the year for a business owner. With proper planning, however, you can change that.
It’s essential to start preparing for the filing of your business tax return in advance so you have time to gather all relevant records.
Take a look at the following tax preparation tips that can make the upcoming tax season less stressful for both business owners and their accountants.
Organise Your Tax Paperwork
Before anything else, it may be a good idea to sort out any past years’ documents, if you haven’t already. Start organising your books to make sure that you’re prepared when the paperwork starts to come in.
Tax paperwork should be organised by category and you may want to make copies of important documents received by post.
Categorise Your Business Expenses
Another time-saving tip is to start organising and categorising your business expenses weeks before the tax return due date.
You can claim most of your business expenses as tax deductions. But if you’re not sure which expenses you can claim, check out the official guide on HMRC’s website.
All business expenses must be sorted out and explained in detail. Finally, don’t forget to itemise your expenses.
Alternatively, if you outsource your tax preparation, you will want to hold on to all your documents for when it’s time for your accountant or accounting firm to prepare the tax return.
Check Whether You Can Get Deductions and Credits
Small businesses may qualify for a number of tax credits. However, don’t wait till the last minute. Check in advance whether you’re qualified for these credits.
Deductions reduce your taxable income and credits are even better, as they directly reduce the amount of tax owed. Your accountant or tax preparation software will have a list of tax deductions that apply to your business.
Get Help
Tax season is very stressful for your bookkeepers and accounting team, assuming that you have them on the payroll. Even if they’ve been doing great the whole year, they may need some extra help now.
A smart business owner won’t let his or her accounting staff burn out during the tax period. Ask them if they need help and if so, make sure to relieve the burden.
It’s essential to get your tax done correctly and on time, which is less likely to happen if you try to save money on accounting staff during this hectic period.
Advance Prep Wins Out
For most business owners, tax season is far from the favourite time of the year. However, it’s not an excuse for you to wait until the last moment to start preparing your tax return.
To avoid unnecessary stress, the best course of action is to prepare in advance.
It won’t trouble you nearly as much if you’re to find that something is missing, but that’s only possible if you leave enough time to sort things out.
Book a free consultation here, to learn more about our accounting services and how can help you grow your business.
5 Oct 2023
As a small business owner, you may be used to taking the DIY approach. After all, you’re most likely a marketer, financial director, HR manager and payroll administrator, to name but a few of your many responsibilities. However, although your business may be small, there’s one area that really does call for professional help – and that’s filing your tax return. Let’s take a look at four of the main reasons you shouldn’t do your taxes yourself this season.
1. You’re Not a Numbers Person
We’d all like to believe that we’re good at absolutely everything, but the truth is that not everyone is good with numbers. If you don’t have an affinity for mathematics then doing your taxes yourself is probably not the best idea.
Even if you’re competent enough at everyday calculations, taxes are a whole different ball game. Calculating your taxes is a very complex process; there’s a reason that chartered accountants have to spend so many years in training.
A simple mistake on your tax return can cause you to pay the wrong amount of tax and even result in harsh penalties that can seriously threaten your small business. It really isn’t worth the risk.
2. It’s a Waste of Your Time
Taxes are notoriously time-consuming and as a busy business owner, your time is a precious resource that you can ill-afford to waste. After all, the time that you spend doing your taxes is time you can’t spend growing your business. It’s important to sit down and think about how much your time is actually worth before you squander it all trying to figure out your taxes. Think of time in the same way as you think of money, and learn to invest it wisely.
3. Tax Laws Change Constantly
Tax laws change all the time and it can be incredibly difficult to stay on top of all the latest rules and regulations – especially when you already have a business to run. When tax season rolls around, the chances are you won’t know about all of the latest changes which could lead to you making mistakes on your tax return or missing out on new opportunities to save money.
It’s an accountant’s job to keep up to date on any changes and then take advantage of these opportunities to save you money, so that you pocket as much of your income as possible. Remember that a quality accountant will always save you more than their wages.
4. The Internet is Full of Misinformation
In this day and age, the DIY approach to any task usually involves several Google searches. The problem is that although the internet is a wonderful resource, it’s full of incorrect or outdated information. As discussed, tax laws and deductions change all the time, so the article you’re reading may no longer be accurate. Furthermore, tax rules vary hugely from country to country, so you might end up making a mistake because you read advice that doesn’t apply to your business.
Sifting through all of this information and checking for veracity is a hugely time-consuming task, so you’re far better off working with a tax professional who has relevant experience within your specific industry. That way, you can have your questions immediately answered by someone who knows what they’re talking about and won’t have to waste time falling down Google rabbit holes.
Summary
The needs of every business are different, but if the above issues resonate with you then you should consider hiring an accountant when tax season rolls around. A great accountant is an investment in the financial health of your business, and will undoubtedly save you a significant amount of time, money and stress in the long run.
2 Oct 2023
For small business owners, tax season can be a stressful and daunting time of year. It makes sense that you’d rather not think about it, but as a bookkeeper, every year I see business owners feeling stressed as the season approaches because they know deep down that rushing things and leaving it to the last minute can lead to mistakes and penalties. That’s why it makes sense to get ready for tax season right now. In this blog post, we’ll explore why now is the time to get your self-assessment tax return done, instead of waiting until the deadline of January 31st. We’ll offer tips on how to outsource your bookkeeping, why the deadline is not a target, and how it’s crucial to know your numbers to help motivate you to complete your tax return.
You don’t want to be doing your tax return over the holidays.*
It’s no secret that the holidays are a busy time of year – especially for small business owners. With the added pressure of balancing work and family commitments, it’s easy to put off sending your tax return until January. However, with the deadline of January 31st fast-approaching, don’t let yourself end up cramming your tax return in over the holiday period. Instead, tackle it now and enjoy a stress-free break.
The deadline is a deadline, not a target.
Many small business owners falsely believe that the filing deadline of January 31st is a “target” rather than a firm deadline. This could not be further from the truth. The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) takes non-compliance very seriously, and failing to submit your tax return by the deadline could result in a fine. Get it done and off of the list as soon as you can.
Outsource your bookkeeping so you don’t need to do it.
One of the best ways to get your tax return completed now is to outsource your bookkeeping. If you don’t have the time or expertise to handle this task in-house, think about getting the help of a professional bookkeeper or accountant. Outsourcing your bookkeeping can not only save you time and energy, but it can also help you stay organised and ensure your tax filings are completed accurately and on time.
Here’s the unexpected benefit
Many small businesses see the tax return as the ultimate goal, but at InterTax we know that the most important reason to get your tax return completed now rather than later is to know your numbers. It gives you time to save for your tax bill if you haven’t already (talk to me about this, I can help), and it is key to knowing your numbers.
Your tax position reflects your business performance for a certain frame of time, and we expect you want to know how you’re performing in as near to real time as possible. Understanding your financial situation is vital in running a successful small business. By knowing your financial figures in-depth, you can make informed decisions for your business, plan for the future, and stay on top of your finances.
Conclusion
Getting your tax return done as early as possible is crucial. Of course, this avoids unnecessary added stress, mistakes and penalties, but it means you have feedback on how your business is doing. At InterTax we encourage our clients to file their tax returns as early as possible and we’d love to chat to you about how we can help you with yours. You can reach out to us by clicking https://intertax.co.uk/book-consultation/
So why wait? Let’s get your tax return sorted now so you can move on to more exciting things.
20 Sep 2023
In order to grow your business, you need to understand how you’re faring. Financial numbers provide you with an accurate picture of your performance, but as a busy business owner it’s unlikely that you have the time or the inclination to spend hours pouring over complex numbers. However, ignoring your financial numbers is likely to lead you towards failure. It’s prudent to create a list of key performance indicators (KPIs) to focus on so that you can keep an eye on what really matters. This will then allow you to make informed decisions about the financial health of your business and measure your progress over time.
Profit and Loss Statement
It’s essential that you understand your profit and loss (P&L) report because it tells you whether you are making or losing money, and how much. You need to pay close attention to your P&L report and review it every month so that you get a good idea of how your status is changing over time. Keeping a close eye on these numbers allows you to identify areas where you can cut costs, understand seasonal patterns and know when to raise your prices.
Expense Report
It’s vital that you understand how much you are spending each month. If you don’t know how much you’re spending it becomes impossible to calculate profit and loss. Furthermore, you need to be aware of your spending so that you don’t blow your budget. You should use your accounting software to regularly create expense reports to review and compare against one another. This will help you to identify areas where you can reduce spending and ensure that your expenses are not growing faster than your revenue – although this is acceptable in the short term when preparing for growth, for example by hiring new employees or buying new equipment.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable refers to the money that you are owed in unpaid invoices. If you have a lot of money tied up in accounts receivable then you’re likely to run into cash flow problems, even if you’re operating at a profit. Keep a close eye on accounts receivable by using your accounting software to automate invoices, as this will help you to understand who owes what. Being aware of your accounts receivable allows you to differentiate between cash flow and profit, take action to chase up payments and make informed decisions about when to spend and when to hold back.
Profit Per Client
Some clients generate more profit than others. Your most lucrative clients aren’t necessarily the ones who spend the most, and it pays to know who actually makes you the most money. This will allow you to focus on attracting profitable clients who will earn you more money in less time and thus optimise your business growth.
Calculate profitability per client by taking the total fees received and subtracting the expenses involved. Then, divide this number by the hours that you spent on the work to calculate the hourly wage per client. You may be surprised at just how much this can vary!
Cash Flow
Managing cash flow can be a tricky balancing act. It’s important to produce cash flow statements regularly so that you understand how much is coming in and going out of your business, and how much you are left with. Remember that cash flow and profitability are separate entities. It’s possible to be in profit but run out of cash because your money is tied up in assets and unpaid invoices.
You should create and review cash flow statements regularly and track how your situation is changing. It’s important to stay on top of your cash flow so that you know when you are able to make investments without running out of available funds.
Item Sales
Item sales reports create a clear picture of how profitable each of your products or services are. For example, one product may generate a lot of sales but a minimal amount of profit. This is actionable data that indicates which products or services you should be focusing on, and which to discontinue.
Summary
Like it or not, numbers don’t lie. As a small business owner, it’s vital that you stay on top of your financial numbers so that you can assess the health of your company and take action accordingly. You need to review and analyse your numbers regularly to understand how you are performing and give your business the best chance of success.
Did you know we’ve also got a free downloadable eBook dedicated to the most common profit draining mistakes made by small businesses. Check it out here.
Book a free consultation here, to learn more about our accounting services and how can help you grow your business.
15 Sep 2023
Pricing your services correctly is one of the most difficult parts of being a small business owner. On the one hand, you understandably want to price yourself competitively, but you don’t want to sell yourself short, either. Profit, cash flow and confidence are all important considerations when pricing your services, so here are five key steps to help you get it right.
Step 1: Calculate Your Costs
Even if you have a very capital light business, there are always costs associated with running your own business. There are two types of costs: direct and indirect.
Direct costs are the costs that go directly towards providing services for your clients, such as project materials or project-specific software, employee wages and your own wage.
Indirect costs are more general costs that are necessary to run your business, such as:
● Rent
● Internet
● Phone Contract
● Devices
● Marketing costs
● Website
● Accounting services
● Legal services
● Insurance
You need to make sure that you charge your customers enough to cover all of the above expenses and make a profit on top of that.
Step 2: Identify Your USP
Your unique selling point (USP) will help you to price your services appropriately. If you’re competing based on price, then affordability will be the name of the game. However, if your USP is based around quality service or your specific expertise, you will be able to charge significantly more. If your clients are investing in you because you’ll add value to their business, then they will be much less likely to question you on price.
Step 3: Market Research
It’s important to know how much your competitors are charging, because this will tell you how much prospective clients are willing to pay. Seek out your competitors via Google as well as marketplaces such as UpWork and Fiverr. Remember, however, that the latter sites often feature many providers willing to sell themselves short in order to get started. Pay attention to their target customers, level of experience and location.
Remember that if you’re providing something that your competitors lack, you will be able to charge more than they do, so long as you are able to properly articulate this added value.
It’s also a good idea to try and get some feedback from your network or even conduct a focus group to gain insight around pricing.
Step 4: Consider Hourly vs Flat Fees
Some small business owners charge by the hour whilst others prefer flat fees. The correct path often depends on your industry and also your level of experience. If you know exactly how much time a certain project will take you, then a flat fee might be best, whilst if you’re unsure then it may be better to go down the hourly route.
If you’re just starting out, then you may get faster at your work as time goes on. In this case, flat fees make sure that you’re not punished for becoming more efficient!
In order to calculate an hourly rate, consider the amount of hours you want to work per week and multiply that by 52. Then, subtract holiday and sick time to calculate the amount of hours you’ll actually work.
After that, calculate your billable hours – i.e., the amount of hours that directly generate revenue. Billable hours represent time spent on client work, whereas non-billable hours are the ones spent on admin, marketing, paperwork, and the like.
Next, divide your total expenses by your billable hours. This will give you a break-even hourly rate. Then, multiply this figure by your desired profit margin to find out how much to charge per hour.
Conclusion
After reading this blog post, you should be able to calculate the cost of your services and figure out whether hourly or flat fees make the most sense for your small business. Remember that good quality clients will be willing to pay a fair price for a great service, so be confident about the value that your small business adds and don’t sell yourself short.
If you’d like to speak to us about how we can help you, book a free consultation here.
