Archive for the ‘Finance’ Category

Do I Need to VAT-register My New Business?

Monday, February 4th, 2013

No one likes paying it – but VAT is one of the things you can’t ignore when setting up a new business.

Does my Business need to be VAT registeredEven if it turns out you don’t need to register your business for VAT, there’s a good chance that some of your contacts and suppliers will add VAT to their invoices. So rather than avoiding the subject and crossing fingers that the VAT man won’t find you, read our easy guide to find out what it’s all about and whether you need to register.

What is VAT?

VAT, or Value Added Tax, is a tax on business transactions in the UK. Some transactions are exempt but most goods and services are subject to VAT. The standard rate is 20% of the cost of the goods or service, but there is also a reduced rate of 5% and a zero rate (0%). When VAT-registered businesses buy goods and services, they can usually claim back the VAT that they pay.

Who needs to register?

Businesses need to register for VAT if their annual turnover is £77,000 or above, or is about to go over this threshold. Businesses whose turnover is under £77,000 can still voluntarily register for VAT, so think about whether being VAT-registered could be good for your new business. If you’re not sure if it would benefit you, have a chat with your accountant.

How do I pay VAT?

You will need to fill in a VAT return regularly, usually once a quarter. If the amount of output tax (the sum you add to your sales price) is more than the amount of input tax (the amount you pay on goods and services bought), you will have to pay the difference. If the input tax is greater than the output tax, you can claim the difference back. Most businesses now have to submit their returns and pay electronically, and there are a number of ways you can do this. For more information visit www.hmrc.gov.uk.

Kind regards
ROY DERRICK

Has Richard Branson Been Caught Stealing ?

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Richard Branson Steals A Deal

Has Richard Branson really stolen ‘Northern Rock’ Bank from the Tax Payer?

Some people are up in arms claiming that Richard Branson has struck an unfair deal and bought Northern Rock Bank for approx £790 million pounds, half of what the tax payer bailed the bank out for using tax payers money. Let’s put this into prospective and see who really is going to benefit…..

Some years ago, I was presented with an award from Richard Branson for my entrepreneurial skills. Ever since having lunch with him I have been inspired by the way Richard Branson has developed his brand, his empire and the services he provides to the general public all over the world. Mr Branson has always come across as being someone who wants to give something back to the community for helping him become what he is. You only have to look at the many companies he owes and the unique services he offers.

During his campaign bid to run the National Lottery, he promised to give back far more than the current lottery organisers, but for some reason he lost his bid.  Some may think that Mr Branson loves the publicity and yes to a certain extent this comes with the job, but the reality is, he gives more back to the public than most entrepreneurs and far more than most Governments.

Whether Richard Branson has stolen Northern Rock or not is a matter for debate but he very often delivers his promises. Richard has made it clear from the outset that he wants to create a High Street Banking brand so that he can provide more competitive and fairer banking services to ordinary people rather than being ‘ripped off’. The banks have created a global disaster, so maybe it’s about time that someone with a sensible and ‘back to basics’ approach is able to provide Banking Services in a more democratic and sensible way.

The economy depends on Small businesses’ to keep the economy growing. There is no doubt about it that most Banks do not help small businesses enough. It would appear that they put most of them out of business when they choose rather than helping them through difficult times. Richard Branson has always promised that he will provide better and more appealing packages to Small Businesses and I’m convinced he will. No doubt the ‘big boys’ will try and make it difficult for him.

If Mr Branson delivers his promises then the return on his investment will not only reward his bank account, but also to that of the average tax payer. Everyone will have the opportunity to benefit in one way or another. I am convinced that Richard Branson will open up the competition in the Banking World for the general public and Small businesses all to benefit from. As usual he will create some more enemies through jealousy and FAIR COMPETITON.

Some people claim that true and inspiring business Entrepreneurs like the Richard Branson’s, Bill Gates and the Alan Sugars in this world should run our countries, well maybe there is some truth in this way of thinking. Either way my guess is that although Mr Branson may well have had a good deal buying Northern Rock, we will all benefit in one way or another in the long term.

Kind regards
ROY DERRICK

The Pennies Soon Add Up

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011


Where There is A Will, There is A Way

My eight year old daughter came up to me the other day and said that she had been thinking of ways to cut down on our bills.

Dish washer

” Rather serious stuff for an eight year old”, I thought, but was eager to hear her out.

“Well daddy”, she said in her cute voice, “do we really need to use the dishwasher every day?” Why can’t we wash the dishes by hand? This would save on electricity and water.” (“Plus it would  save us waiting those endless 2 hours for the cycle to finish in order for us to have knives and forks to eat with” I thought to myself in amusement.)

She then went on to say how  mummy could wash the clothes by hand and that we could make sure all electrical equipment like computers and lights were switched off.

“What good suggestions “I replied “especially if it will make you think before leaving all the lights on like Blackpool illuminations!”

Have we implemented her suggestions? I have to say that even though they were simple suggestions it certainly has made us think.

I have observed that even though there isWashing Clothes not the remotest chance that my wife will resort to washing  the clothes by hand (she would be there until midnight with the amount of washing that we have!).

She has indeed resorted to washing the dishes by hand especially when the dish washer would only have been have full.  She also ensures that she hangs the washing out on the line to dry rather than using the costly tumble drier.

I love the simple things in life and the thought of being more effiicient, yet considering that an average dishwasher uses 2 units of electricity an hour (hence what
would be 4 units used for an average cycle) and a tumble drier uses an average of 4 units per hour.

I cannot wait to compare my next electricity bill to see how, hopefully , these simple changes will have helped to reduce my quarterly bills. As a famous supermarket would say:

“Every little helps!”

The same principle can apply to almost anything, depending on how much you want it. ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’ !

“To get what you never had you must do what you have never done”.


Yours truly

ROY DERRICK

Dealing With Debt

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Don’t Be Like a Boiling Frog When Dealing With Debt

Leap Into Action Before It’s Too Late

It is a proven fact that if a frog is placed into cold water and heat is applied at a steady pace until boiling, a frog will remain in the water throughout until it eventually dies. However if a frog is submerged straight into boiling water it will immediately jump out and thus be saved.

This sadly can be applied to many of our everyday lives especially when we are facing debt issues. Like the frog facing a slow death, many of us often know that out debt is escalating out of control but we choose to bury our heads in the sand until it is too late. However when we are eventually faced with the reality i.e. losing our homes and all that we have, then like the frog  in boiling water , we will then choose to take drastic action and jump into action.

There are many routes that can be taken to try to get out of debt .However whichever  of these ways you choose, you will need to evaluate your life and change what you are doing as evidently whatever you are currently doing is not working for you. Failure to do so will result in financial suicide and terminal poverty.

istockphoto_4506983-leaping-frogThe first evaluation needed is to take a look at what is being spent on a daily basis to establish whether any cutbacks can be made to save money. It is surprising how much money can be saved even by ensuring that we only purchase items on our shopping lists and by trying supermarket own brands.

Money can also be saved by other simple measures such as monitoring the electricity and gas that we use or by only having one line on a lottery ticket rather than several.

It is useful to also check whether any credit cards can be transferred to new zero interest ones.

All the above measures can help to reduce our overheads and debt.

The important thing to remember is that anyone is capable of doing anything they set their minds to. We merely need to adopt a positive mindset and make changes to our lives in order to start reducing our debt.

Another means of reducing debt is by looking for ways to create extra funds.  One way to achieve this is by setting up your own business. There are many different opportunities available that can be started from home. This is particularly advantageous as there are very little start up costs and overheads.

All you need is self belief, finding the right opportunity and often a small investment that will lead to greater things in the future. Your business can be literally a small commute from your bedroom to your study. There is no dress code and you could merely turn up for work in a pair of slippers and shorts.

Many people don’t start their own business as they feel that they do not have sufficient funds. However many business opportunities actually have low start up costs.  It is surprising that if we were to again review our weekly costs and not only reduce on essentials but also on hobbies and non essentials, how the small amount of money required for set up costs could be achieved. As the saying goes “where there’s a will there’s a way”. Often something of a lesser value traded now could be rewarded for something of a greater value later.

However if you consider taking advantage of any of the  business opportunities available, it is crucial to thoroughly research the business  to ensure that it is a genuine opportunity and not a scam.

Finding a genuine business opportunity that is right for you can be life changing and be a big step in the process of eliminating your debt.

Whichever way you choose to reduce your debt be sure to act before the debt escalates out of control. Do not wait until it is too late… Do not be a boiling frog!

Yours Truly
ROY DERRICK

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