The UK Tax and Accounting Podcast from I Hate Numbers:

Winter Fuel Payment tax recovery can catch people by surprise. If your income is over the threshold, HMRC may recover the payment through your tax code or Self Assessment, even though the payment itself is tax-free. About this episode The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help older people with heating costs. However, the recovery rules mean that some people may receive the payment and then have...

The High Income Child Benefit Charge can take families by surprise. If one parent or partner has adjusted net income over the threshold, some or all of the Child Benefit received may need to be paid back through tax. About this episode Child Benefit can provide valuable support for families, but the High Income Child Benefit Charge changes the picture when income rises above a certain level. In th...

Numeracy skills decline is not just an education issue. For business owners, weak number confidence can damage pricing, cash flow, profit margins, budgeting, and decision-making. About this episode Many people laugh about being bad at maths. However, in business, poor numeracy can become a serious financial risk. If we do not understand the numbers behind pricing, costs, margins, budgets, and cash...

Late registration for self employment can quickly become a cash flow problem. Missing HMRC deadlines may lead to penalties, backdated returns, VAT issues, and unnecessary stress for sole traders and new business owners. About this episode When a business starts, it is easy to focus on websites, branding, customers, bank accounts, and sales. However, basic tax compliance matters from the very begin...

About this episode The UK tax system can often feel like a one-way street. However, Gift Aid tax relief is one area where the system can help generosity work harder. In this episode, we explain how Gift Aid tax relief works, who can use it, what donors need to check, and why charities must keep accurate records. We also cover higher and additional rate taxpayer relief, donor benefit rules, corpora...

About this episode We often talk about growth, profit, VAT, tax, and better financial control. However, business owners also face difficult moments when the numbers, the market, or changing customer behaviour point in a painful direction. In this episode, we look at the emotional impact of closing your business, stopping a core product, or letting go of a professional dream that no longer feels su...

About this episode Good cash flow management is vital for every business owner. It helps us plan ahead, deal with unexpected costs, manage spending, and make better decisions before problems become urgent. In this episode, we share seven practical strategies to make cash flow easier to manage. We look at cash reserves, cost control, inventory, leasing, equipment loans, borrowing at the right time,...

About this episode Many creatives feel awkward talking about money. We may worry that invoicing feels pushy, greedy, or too formal for a creative relationship. However, an invoice is not rude. It is a clear, professional request for payment. In this episode, we explain why customer invoicing matters, what every invoice should include, and how better invoicing habits help us get paid on time. We al...

About this episode In this episode, we explain how paying school fees through your business can create tax issues if it is not structured correctly. It may seem sensible for a company with available cash to help fund school or university fees, but HMRC may treat the payment very differently depending on how it is arranged. We look at the risks of reimbursement, the benefit in kind route, the wholl...

A penalty notice is stressful. The instinct is to explain yourself and hope HMRC understands. But understanding and accepting are two very different things. This episode cuts through the confusion — what HMRC actually accepts as a reasonable excuse, what gets rejected outright, and the five steps that give your appeal the best chance of success. What You'll Learn in This Episode What "reasonable e...

Partnerships can be one of the most powerful ways to grow a business. However, they can also bring risk, stress, and financial challenges if not handled properly. In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we explore what makes a partnership successful and how to avoid the common pitfalls. Whether you are a freelancer, creative, or small business owner, understanding how to structure and manag...

Working for yourself sounds ideal at first. However, the reality can feel very different once the novelty wears off. In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we explore the real challenges of motivation, isolation, and staying consistent as a solopreneur. We also share five practical strategies to help you stay motivated, focused, and in control of your business journey. Why Motivation Drops...

VAT is one of those areas of small business finance UK that can quickly become confusing. In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we break down VAT registration, thresholds, and the key rules every business owner needs to understand. Understanding VAT is not just about compliance. It is about maintaining control over your cash flow management and making informed decisions about your busines...

From April 2026, dividend tax rates are increasing, and for many business owners, that means one thing — higher tax bills. In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we explain what the dividend tax increase actually means, how it impacts your income, and more importantly, what you can do about it. While the change may only be a 2% increase on paper, the real-world impact can quickly add up, e...

One of the biggest advantages of running a business through a limited company is the protection it offers your personal assets. But that protection is not absolute. In this episode of I Hate Numbers, we look at the corporate veil, when it holds, when it does not, and what HMRC can do when directors cross the line on unpaid corporation tax. What Is the Corporate Veil? When you set up a limited comp...

From April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules are changing significantly. In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we break down what those changes mean, why they matter, and how employers can prepare. These updates are part of wider employment reforms and will impact businesses of all sizes, from private companies to social enterprises. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} What Is Changi...

Companies House identity verification is now a mandatory requirement for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs). If you run a company in the UK, this is no longer something you can put off for later. It is now part of the compliance landscape for businesses, charities, and social enterprises. In this episode, we explain why these rules were introduced, what the deadlines mean for ex...

In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we discuss something that many small business owners have not fully realised yet — the hidden cost behind Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. For decades the system was straightforward. You earned money, logged onto the government website, submitted your tax return, and paid what you owed. It was a public service funded through taxes. However, from Apr...

Cloud accounting is one of those topics that too many business owners, freelancers, and creatives ignore until it is too late. In this episode of I Hate Numbers, we make the case for why cloud accounting is not just a nice-to-have but a genuine game-changer for anyone running a small business. Whether you are currently relying on spreadsheets, paper receipts, or desktop software, this episode will...

Budgeting has a reputation problem. For many business owners, the word alone conjures images of restriction, cutbacks, and spreadsheets that drain the life from a room. In this episode of I Hate Numbers, we turn that thinking on its head. The power of budgeting lies not in what it stops you doing, but in everything it enables you to achieve. Budgeting Is About Possibility, Not Restriction We open...

SEO Description: Introduction In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we tackle a tough but necessary truth: ignoring your numbers is quietly damaging your creative business. We understand why creatives avoid spreadsheets, budgets, and financial reports. You started your journey to create, perform, design, and inspire — not to stare at figures. However, the longer you ignore your numbers, t...

Do your creative goals feel distant, vague, or overwhelming? Do they sit on your to-do list without ever turning into real progress? In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we explain how SMART targets act as a creative compass, helping you turn ambition into action without pressure or burnout. We share how breaking big goals into structured, realistic targets builds confidence, reduces anx...

In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we focus on a topic that affects millions of employees across the UK — claiming tax relief online. If you pay for work-related costs out of your own pocket and your employer does not reimburse you, you may be entitled to tax relief. However, if you do not claim it, that money simply stays with HMRC. And we would rather see it where it belongs — in you...

Being a social enterprise or Community Interest Company does not mean tax obligations disappear. In this episode, we walk through the real tax position for CICs, clearing up misunderstandings that regularly catch directors out. We cover corporation tax, VAT, payroll, grants, and how structure affects your tax exposure. What Is a Community Interest Company? A Community Interest Company is a special...

Social enterprises often get misunderstood. Some people think they are charities in disguise, while others assume they are not real businesses. In this episode of I Hate Numbers, we break down what social enterprises really are, how they operate, and how they successfully combine purpose with profit. We explore the most common UK social enterprise models, how they differ from charities and traditi...