VAT
Should you register for VAT voluntarily? Pros, cons and a worked example
Registering below the threshold can genuinely save some businesses money and cost others - here's the actual maths behind the decision, not just general advice.
19 September 2026 · 6 min read
Getting started
Invoice numbering: rules, formats and examples for UK businesses
HMRC doesn't mandate a specific format, but it does require every invoice number to be unique and sequential - here's how to set up a system that never breaks.
19 September 2026 · 5 min read
Getting paid
Late payment interest UK: what you can legally charge on overdue invoices
UK law gives you the right to charge statutory interest and a fixed compensation fee on overdue business invoices, without it being written into your contract - here is how the calculation actually works.
19 September 2026 · 6 min read
VAT
Flat Rate VAT Scheme explained: is it right for your small business?
The Flat Rate Scheme trades simpler bookkeeping for a fixed VAT percentage - here's how it actually works, who it suits, and the one number that decides whether it saves you money.
18 September 2026 · 6 min read
Getting started
The best free invoice generator for UK small businesses in 2026
What to actually look for in a free UK invoice generator - VAT support, PDF export, and the details HMRC expects - and how the popular options compare.
18 September 2026 · 6 min read
Getting paid
How long should you wait for an invoice to be paid before chasing it?
There's no single legal answer, but there is a sensible default - here's how to know when an invoice is genuinely late, and the right moment to send your first reminder.
17 September 2026 · 5 min read
VAT
What is a VAT invoice? Requirements, examples and a free generator
A VAT invoice needs more than a standard invoice does - here's exactly what has to be on it, a worked example, and a free tool that adds all of it automatically.
17 September 2026 · 6 min read
VAT
Company VAT registration: a guide for UK limited companies
How VAT registration works specifically for a limited company - what changes versus a sole trader, who is legally responsible, and how to keep company and personal VAT records separate.
16 September 2026 · 6 min read
VAT
How to register for VAT: a step-by-step guide for UK small businesses
The exact process for registering a UK business for VAT - what you need before you start, how long it takes, and what happens the moment your registration goes through.
16 September 2026 · 7 min read
Getting started
Freelance invoicing: a beginner's guide to getting paid on time
New to freelancing? Here's everything you need to know about invoicing clients professionally from your very first job - numbering, timing, terms, and chasing late payment.
4 September 2026 · 6 min read
Getting paid
How to write a professional invoice email (with a template you can copy)
The email you send an invoice with matters almost as much as the invoice itself. Here's a template that gets invoices opened, understood, and paid faster.
22 August 2026 · 4 min read
Tax
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: what UK sole traders need to know
MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment is changing how sole traders and landlords report income to HMRC. Here is what it actually requires, who it affects, and how to prepare.
5 August 2026 · 7 min read
Getting paid
How long should you give clients to pay? Payment terms explained
There's no legal default payment term in the UK unless you set one - here's how to choose 7, 14 or 30 days, and how to word it so it actually holds up.
15 June 2026 · 5 min read
Getting started
Invoice vs receipt vs quote: what's actually the difference?
Three documents that get confused constantly - what each one is for, when to send it, and why mixing them up can cause real problems.
9 April 2026 · 4 min read
VAT
VAT for small businesses: when do you actually need to register?
A plain-English explanation of the UK VAT registration threshold, voluntary registration, and what changes on your invoices once you register.
18 March 2026 · 6 min read
Getting paid
What to do when a client doesn't pay: chasing unpaid invoices without burning the relationship
A practical, non-awkward approach to chasing a late invoice - what to say, when to say it, and when it is time to take it further.
3 February 2026 · 6 min read
Getting started
How to invoice as a sole trader in the UK: a complete guide
Everything a UK sole trader needs on an invoice, when to send it, and the details that make the difference between getting paid on time and chasing money for weeks.
12 January 2026 · 7 min read