Journal
eba Journal
Ideas, thinking and updates from the eba team. Covering tax, business strategy and the decisions that matter most to ambitious founders.
TaxThe pension planning perk that HMRC actually wants you to use
An employer can pay up to £500 a person each tax year for pensions advice with no income tax, no national insurance and full corporation tax relief.
TaxStuck in the past - the UK tax reliefs that time forgot
Several UK tax allowances have been frozen for decades, from £5,000 wedding gifts since 1975 to the £150 staff party limit. The all or nothing ones cost most.
Business growthThe great hiring shift in Britain's labour market
Permanent UK hiring has fallen for 44 months while temporary demand climbs. Weigh the full cost of employment against fractional or contract expertise first.
GuidesCompanies House reforms confirmed for April 2028
From April 2028 small companies must file a profit and loss account at Companies House, abridged accounts end and filing moves to commercial software.
TaxUnpaid customer invoices - don’t forget to reclaim the VAT
You can reclaim VAT paid on an unpaid invoice through VAT Bad Debt Relief once the debt is six months overdue and written off. The claim window is four years.
TaxMileage allowance increase from April 2026
From 6 April 2026 the approved mileage rate rises from 45p to 55p for the first 10,000 business miles, the first rise since 2011. Above that it stays at 25p.
TaxIR35 and the football referees case
HMRC lost its eight year, £584,000 IR35 case over Premier League referees. Employment status turns on how the relationship works, not what the contract says.
TaxHow to reward staff ideas without tax or NI
HMRC's employee suggestion scheme lets you reward a good idea with up to £25 tax free, or up to £5,000 where it saves or makes money, with no tax or NI due.
Cash flowA smarter way to chase unpaid invoices?
Garfield AI is an SRA-regulated law firm that makes chasing debts under £10,000 economic again, with cheap chaser letters and low-cost court claims.
GuidesWorkplace stress - a practical guide for small business owners
Workplace stress is usually a symptom of how a business is run, not a lack of resilience. The causes are workload, unclear roles and weak management support.
TaxFree childcare for company owners
Working parents in England can claim 30 hours of free childcare a week if each earns at least £10,159 from salary or self-employment. Dividends do not count.
Firm newsA fresh look for the eba office in Knutsford
The eba office in Knutsford has a fresh look, with new flooring, decoration and signage as part of the wider rebrand. There is even a new coffee machine.
Ready to talk?
Good advice starts with a good conversation. Tell us what you're building, and let's see whether we're the firm to help you build it.