Directors' Briefings

Tax and NI (TA 6)

Be prepared

This eight-page briefing provides an introduction to the taxes most likely to affect you in business.

With tax, the sooner the better. The sooner you set up systems for maintaining your records, and the better you keep them, the less money you will need to spend on professional help in dealing with the tax authorities, and the easier it will be to plan for your liabilities.

Nevertheless, it is well worth consulting a tax expert - a qualified accountant, solicitor or tax adviser - for detailed advice. An expert should be able to save you much more in tax than you spend on fees, as well as sparing you time, effort and stress.

This briefing covers:

• Which taxes will affect your business.
• What can be classed as business expenses.
• Your responsibility for calculating and paying tax and NI for your employees.
• Tax breaks for investors in small and medium-sized companies.

• Read full document (PDF)

Corporation tax (TA 3)

Corporation tax is the tax paid by companies on their profits. Unincorporated organisations (such as clubs and societies) also pay corporation tax, if they have taxable income. Partners in both traditional and limited liability partnerships and sole traders pay income tax instead.

If you use accountants to prepare your year-end figures, or auditors to check them, they may calculate your corporation tax liability, too. But you cannot afford to ignore corporation tax until the year end, because your activities during the year could have a significant impact on the final bill.

This briefing explains:

• How corporation tax is calculated.
• When you have to pay it.
• When you can offset losses.
• How to minimise your tax bill.

• Read full document (PDF)