If you work from home as a sole trader and you pay for things like internet, heating, or cleaning, you’re probably wondering which of those VAT charges you can reclaim — and how to show HMRC you did it properly. I’ve helped dozens of small business owners sort this out in Xero, and it’s easier than it looks once you follow a sensible, documentable approach.What VAT you can (and can’t)...
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I’ve had more than a few clients panic when they get a letter from HMRC asking for their accounting records —...
Year-end can feel like a sprint you didn’t sign up for. As someone who spends a lot of time helping micro and small...
I remember the knot in my stomach the first time a major client missed a payment. It wasn’t just the money — it was...
I run into this situation a lot when I advise one-person shop owners: you’re brilliant at your product and customer service, but bookkeeping feels like a jumble of receipts, tills and end-of-day cash. If your retail shop is a sole trader or single director limited company with under £50k...
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Summer can be a double-edged sword for small businesses. While tourists swell footfall for some, others — particularly B2B service providers and seasonal retailers — see revenue thin out. Over the years I’ve helped clients survive (and sometimes thrive) through slow months by building...
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Getting a letter from HMRC saying they’re opening an enquiry is one of those moments every small business owner dreads. I’ve supported many clients through this exact situation, and while it’s stressful, it’s usually manageable if you act calmly and methodically. Below I walk through the...
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I’m often asked how to reconcile bank feeds in Xero quickly without sacrificing accuracy. Over the years I’ve seen business owners spend hours in the reconciliation screen, getting frustrated by duplicates, bank fees and transfers that don’t quite match. In this post I’ll share the...
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