Business121 Small Business Newsletter #88

In this week's Business121:

1. Gordon's tax grab on small firms
2. Business Insurance – Insurances your business must have
3. The workaholic's guide to a successful home office
4. How to work from home but look like a big business
5. The real cost of hiring your first employee
6. Increase your profits by knowing why your customers buy
7. How to protect your company reputation during a crisis
8. Reclaiming unfair business bank charges

Small Business News
9. Arctic Systems win at Lords - victory for small businesses
10. Will there be a tax clampdown on family owned businesses?
11. Government to push small businesses to grow
12. Treasury reviews EMI tax break for small companies

Gordon's tax grab on small firms

Gordon Brown claims he wants to encourage enterprise but his actions signal otherwise. In fact, he seems to view small enterprises as easy tax prey. In his final Budget he increased the corporation tax rate for small companies, and it seems there's more to come.

HMRC may have lost the Arctic Systems case last week (see news) but instead of accepting defeat the government plans to introduce new legislation to clamp down on family owned companies where dividends are "split" and shared to parties who are deemed to be "non-commercial" partners.

In a separate announcement, HMRC have revealed that they are looking into the cost to the Treasury of the EMI scheme. The EMI scheme allows small firms to reward key employees with option packages that are lightly taxed. It can help small businesses to retain important staff that might otherwise be lured away by higher salaries at bigger companies.

These policies just don't match the enterprise-friendly rhetoric, so let's see some real pro-enterprise policies.

************************** Advertisement ************************

FREE BUSINESS BANKING

Awarded 'Best Business Current Account Provider' 5 years running, Alliance & Leicester's Free Business Current Account gives you;

* 6.52% AER (variable) until 30 June 2008 on balances up to £1,000
* FREE and UNLIMITED cheques issued and deposited
* FREE and UNLIMITED Direct Debits and standing orders
* FREE and UNLIMITED ATM withdrawals and BACS transfers
* FREE cash deposits up to £4,000 a month

For more information or to apply online right now click here; http://snipurl.com/Free_Banking
*****************************************************************

Business Insurance – Insurances your business must have
Just like driving a car, you are required to have certain insurances to run your business (third party fire and theft), and it’s advisable to have others (fully comprehensive). Here’s a look at some insurance policies that will add protection to your business.

The workaholic's guide to a successful home office
There are huge advantages to starting your business from home. But there are big downsides too if you fall into some common pitfalls. Here’s how to successfully manage a home office, even if you’re a workaholic

How to work from home but look like a big business
Some customers could be put off if they knew your business was run from home, so here’s how to look big while acting small.

The real cost of hiring your first employee
Taking on your first employee should be an exciting time. It means your business idea is working and you need help to expand but staff will also bring new stresses. This guide helps you identify the true cost of an employee and manage the impact on your business.

Increase your profits by knowing why your customers buy
What really motivates people to buy and how you can apply this knowledge to help make your business more successful and more profitable.

How to protect your company reputation during a crisis
Corporate reputation is a delicate thing, with even the slightest tarnish affecting customer and stakeholder perception, sales and share price. But how can you protect that reputation and, if the worst happens, defend it?

Reclaiming unfair business bank charges
Banks are making billions of pounds each year from penalty charges at your expense. Is your business entitled to reclaim thousands in unlawful bank charges?

************************** Advertisement ************************

WHY YOUR BUSINESS IS BETTER OFF INSURED WITH HISCOX

As a leading specialist insurer we provide the most comprehensive business insurance available online.

You can tailor your policy with industry specific professional indemnity cover (£25K up to £2M), 'all-risks' contents and computers cover, portable equipment, public liability, employers' liability, legal expenses, business interruption & buildings.

Why not get a quote now? Only Hiscox allows you to buy online in minutes and download your policy documents immediately. Click here to find out more - http://snipurl.com/_Hiscox_Insurance
*****************************************************************

===================
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
===================

Arctic Systems win at Lords - victory for small businesses
The House of Lords have ruled in favour of Arctic Systems in a landmark small business taxation case which could have forced small businesses to pay huge tax liabilities.

Will there be a tax clampdown on family owned businesses?
Following the Arctic Systems victory at the Lords last week, the Government has announced its intention to create new legislation which may cost family-owned businesses thousands.

Government to push small businesses to grow
The government wants to encourage small businesses to become high-growth businesses. But is this what small business owners want?

Treasury reviews EMI tax break for small companies
The Treasury is reviewing the future of its main tax break for small, fast-growing businesses to retain key staff after the annual cost of the EMI scheme broke through the £100m mark, reports the Telegraph.

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://www.Bytestart.co.uk **

===========
CLASSIFIEDS
===========

REDUCE THE SIZE OF YOUR WORD, EXCEL AND POWERPOINT FILES
NXPowerLite radically reduces the size of your MS Office files - making them easier to use, store and share. Save time and money. Download the free trial version here

30-DAY FREE TRIAL FRANKING MACHINES
With £20 Free Postage, plus a free personalised logo so you can advertise your business on every piece of mail you post. All details here; http://snipurl.com/_Free_No_Ties_Trial

MORTGAGES FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
FreelancerMoney specialise in arranging mortgages for small business owners, freelancers and contractors. To learn more about how we can help you to get the mortgage you want just click here: http://snipurl.com/_FreelancerMoney

SEE YOUR AD HERE
Business121 is read by over 12,000 small business owners every week. Advertise in our newsletter from just £60+vat per issue. Please email Classified@Business121.co.uk for details.

(c) Business121.co.uk 2007