How will the Budget affect your business?

The Chancellor gave his Budget Report on 22 April 2009

Below are Piggy’s highlights for small business owners…..

The Business Payment Support Service which helps businesses that are having difficulty due to the existing economic conditions, has been extended with regard to corporation and income tax.

This number of small businesses who can return a simplified Three Line Tax Return has been increased. The Limit is being increased from the current amount of £30,000 for trading or self employment income and £15,000 for property income to permanently align it with the VAT registration threshold of £68,000 from the tax year 2009/10.

There is a new temporary rate of 40 per cent for capital allowances - first year allowance for expenditure on general plant and machinery.

The loss carry-back rules, which were extended in the Pre-Budget Report in November 2008, are to be extended for a further year for both limited companies and the self-employed.

VAT changes to modernise cross-border trading will be introduced over a three-year period from 1 January 2010.

The standard VAT rate will return to 17.5 per cent from 1 January 2010.

Corporation Tax rates for the financial year 2010-11 will remain unchanged with the main rate at 28 per cent and for the financial year 2009-10 the small companies rate will be 21 per cent.

Business owners who have earnings in excess of £150,000 (or employees in this wage bracket) will also need to be aware that there are changes to both the additional tax rate and the tax relief on pension contributions.

Read the report and further information on the HM Treasury website – Opens in a new window.

Why a professional Business image is your most cost effective marketing tool.

Elaine Boddy of Green and Brown strongly believes that whatever product you sell, whatever service you offer, you will always remain your best and most cost effective marketing tool.  How you present yourself alone could mean the difference between winning business or not, therefore your business image must be carefully considered. By representing your own business, you as a person will always “be the business” to your customers.

(Piggy says – “By helping customers to relate positively to you,  not just your products and services, you can build their trust and retain their loyalty; even in the face of stiff competition and tough financial times.”)

Here are some of Elaine’s top tips for creating a confident business image.

Seven out of ten home-based businesses say they can beat the crunch

New survey figures, released by insurer RSA today, show that self-employed home-based professionals are optimistic regarding the performance of their businesses despite the current economic climate.

• 71% believe they will be able to grow or maintain their level of business during this time of economic downturn
• 29% of self-employed home-based professionals say general trading conditions for their business are positive, with an additional 38% saying conditions are average or no different to normal
• Only 8% believe they will definitely not be able to grow or maintain their level of business

RSA’s survey, undertaken in August, interviewed 450 self-employed home-based professionals and found that 29% of respondents described current trading conditions as positive and an additional 38% described conditions as average or no different to normal.

Aaron Devitt, Director of Professional and Financial Risks at RSA, said: “Given the current economic uncertainty we’re experiencing, these survey results are a welcome surprise. They suggest that the present and future do not need to be as bleak as some are predicting. With all this talk about an impending recession, we are in danger of talking ourselves into a situation that is worse than reality. Clearly, in at least one area of the economy, there are reasons for remaining optimistic about future growth.”

To read the complete article released by Pipex Business News go to

http://www.pipex.co.uk/starting-out/news-and-features/home-based-business-owners-dont-fear-the-credit-crunch.html

Piggy’s guide to simple and cost effective web design.

In the 21st century it is fair to say that virtually every small business, charitable group or club needs a website of some type.  Unfortunately the technical capability of business owners and club volunteers is variable and funds are often distinctly limited.

Excellent web design companies are plentiful but telling the difference between good and bad companies can be difficult if your own knowledge of this area is limited. 

For the New Year don’t make Resolutions – set Goals!

Earlier this week I attended a networking event where Julie Blunt of Interact Training Solutions delivered a timely reminder of how setting proper goals for your business can help us all have a truly prosperous New Year.  Whether your business is a new one or well established it is all too easy to get so involved with the day to day work that you lose sight of your ultimate aims. Setting aside some time now to review your progress and plan your next steps will pay dividends later on.  With Julie’s permission I would like to share with you all her 7 top tips for fabulous goals.

Christmas Greetings

NSP Resources wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

We have collected together a few “quotable quotes” for the season that we trust you will enjoy.

Just click the link below to download your Christmas Greetings.

christmas-quotes-2008