Skip to main content
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, where business belongs.

Search

  1. Home
  2. Tax and National Insurance

Start up business ideas

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Set up a business

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Skills and wellbeing

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Business planning

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

Start up funding

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Tax and National Insurance

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Business law

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Sales and marketing

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Business premises

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Employees

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

Business IT

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Grow your business

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

How to work out tax and NI

Small-business owners are not expected to be experts on tax and NI, but ignorance is no defence. Here are some of the key rates and facts you need.

Resource topics

11 results shown

What if Christmas sales push you over the trading allowance?

Christmas is typically the busiest time of year for many retailers. What do you need to do if festive sales push you over the trading allowance to stay on the right side of tax rules?

Avoid VAT penalties with expert VAT advisory services

As a small business, you can’t afford to get VAT records, receipts or returns wrong Here’s how expert VAT advisors can help you avoid penalties.

What’s the difference between simple assessment and self assessment?

HMRC collects tax in several ways. You might have heard of self assessment, but some taxpayers are sent simple assessment letters instead. Discover the difference and which taxpayers might benefit from simple assessment.

How will 2024 tax and NIC changes impact you?

The Chancellor announced some changes to National Insurance in his Autumn Statement. We look at what is changing in the realm of tax and National Insurance in 2024.

Six common sole trader tax return mistakes

Sole trader self assessment tax return mistakes are not uncommon. We explore the six most common mistakes and explain how you can avoid them.

Essential guide to business tax

It helps to understand the taxes likely to affect your business, and have systems to help you comply with your obligations. Read our tax overview.

Essential guide to VAT

Once your sales reach the annual threshold, you must register for VAT. Our guide to when and how to register, and what you need to do once you have.

Essential guide to National Insurance

National Insurance overview for employers to help minimise National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and understand National Insurance rates and allowances.

VAT registration

If you register for VAT with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), you must charge VAT on any goods and services you sell that are subject to VAT.

Q&A: Tax returns

Chartered certified accountant Raphael Coman of Coman & Co answers some key questions about tax returns, including important deadlines.

Setting up your payroll - checklist

If you take on employees, you will need to set up a payroll system to make sure you're fulfilling your legal obligations. Here's where to start.