Keeping your tax and expenses in check when you are self-employed

Anna Stubbs • September 4, 2026

Contracting or freelancing requires you to wear a lot of hats. Relationship-building, keeping track of your time, marketing your skills and actually doing the work. But one of your priorities should also be establishing how you handle your money and setting the groundwork for good habits.

Understand your deductions

Before you start, it’s essential to understand what expenses you can and can’t claim. This means you’ll keep the right receipts and track the right expenses. Figuring out what’s what can be a little confusing as everyone has a different working set up and what you can claim for can vary between industries and occupations. Talk to us about your business expenses from the beginning. This will also help you plan for any bigger work-related purchases that you may need to make.


Get a system sorted

You’ll thank yourself later for setting up a good system now. Getting your expenses recorded and your invoices collated means you’ll be able to spend more time doing the important stuff in your business. It’s not just about saving time - keeping on top of your cash means you’re more likely to succeed. Do your research and choose a system that will work for you. Consider choosing a software platform which allows you to record your time spent on projects, it’ll make sending those invoices that much easier!


Stash that cash

When you’re running your own business or working for yourself, it’s important to always keep your tax obligations top of mind. Make sure you have money set aside in a separate account or consider entering into voluntary instalments.

One way to budget and keep on top of your business tax is to pay yourself a wage. Keeping your accounts separate also prevents you from thinking of all your business income as spending cash! Remember to also put aside a little extra to cover your holidays and any quiet periods.



We can help make this process easier, so talk to us about setting up systems that take the headaches out of your finances.

Does the electricity cut help your small business?

By Anna Stubbs • September 4, 2026
The UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has wasted no time making new tax policies since taking office, having announced a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October. While this measure is primarily targeted at households, some smaller businesses will, importantly, also be eligible for relief.

Budgeting for success: the importance of good financial management

By Anna Stubbs • September 4, 2026
When you’re operating and managing a small business, you have a finite pot of cash to work with. Because of this, it’s incredibly important to manage your cash well and to have clear budgets and spending limits for every area of your business operations.  Let’s take a look at why budgeting is such a vital part of your financial management, and what you can do to keep your company on budget and in a positive cashflow position.

How Steve Jobs 10/80/10 people-management style can help your business

By Anna Stubbs • September 4, 2026
To be an effective leader or people manager, you need to know when to step back. It’s easy to fall into the trap of micromanaging your team – hovering around the project, dictating every minor detail and constantly checking in to make sure things are on track. Keeping tabs on your staff might seem like a sensible idea, but it’s often a self-defeating approach. Micromanagement can smother innovation, slow down team productivity and actively demotivate your high-performing employees. What’s needed is a more hands-off management style. And this is where Steve Jobs’ 10-80-10 approach to people management can be a valuable alternative.