You figured out your trade, found your clients, and got on with it. But somewhere along the way, you probably realised that running a business demands a whole different set of skills on top of the actual work you do. And keeping those skills sharp? That costs money.

Sending a gift to a client feels like the right thing to do. A hamper at Christmas, a bottle of wine to say thank you, a branded notebook when someone signs on. It is a natural part of building relationships in business. But, when it comes to tax, not all gifts are treated equally. Get it wrong and what feels like a generous business expense turns out to be one you cannot deduct or worse, one that creates an unexpected VAT liability. The good news is the rules are straightfor

If your taxable turnover is below £90,000, you’re not legally required to register for VAT. But HMRC allows you to register voluntarily if you choose to.

Choosing the right scheme can save you time, reduce your admin burden, and in some cases, save you real money. So here’s what you need to know.