Journal
David Elliott
David founded eba in 2001 and advises UK business owners on starting, growing, scaling and exiting their businesses tax-efficiently.
Business growthESG or B Corp: does your SME need either?
Start with an ESG policy, not B Corp certification. ESG costs nothing but discipline, while B Corp adds audit, annual fees and a change to your Articles.
Cash flowWhat a 92% solar eclipse can teach your business about cash flow
Most cash flow pressure is as predictable as an eclipse once you model it. A rolling forecast with best and worst cases shows the dip early enough to prepare.
Business growthWhat car parks and airlines teach us about pricing
Variable pricing works for a small business when changes are modest and clearly explained. Charge more at peak and less off peak, but avoid surge pricing.
TaxCutting your losses - how to get a tax refund on a failed investment
A negligible value claim crystallises a loss on worthless shares without selling them, and it can be backdated up to two tax years to offset an earlier gain.
TaxHMRC toughens its stance on tax debts
HMRC has restarted direct recovery of tax debts from bank accounts, with a wider rollout from April 2026. Engaging early is the reliable protection.
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.
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.
PayrollNational Minimum Wage – are you compliant?
National Minimum Wage breaches often hit salaried staff paid well above the minimum, through excess hours, salary sacrifice and wrong worker categorisation.
TaxWhy directors should use an independent travel agent
Only wholly business travel is an allowable company expense. Ask an independent travel agent to invoice the business and personal parts of a trip separately.
TaxHMRC subsistence rules – a guide for directors and employees
HMRC benchmark scale rates let you claim subsistence without receipts: £5 over five hours away, £10 over ten hours and £25 over fifteen hours away from work.
Business growthWhy entering business awards is worth the effort
Entering business awards is a low cost marketing move that pays whether or not you win. A shortlisting brings press coverage, content and staff pride.
Business growthMeasuring and Rewarding Staff Performance
Set business KPIs first, then map each role against them so every job has fair, measurable targets. Blend cash bonuses with tax-efficient staff rewards.
Business growthUsing KPIs to measure and drive performance
Sales and profit are lagging indicators. A balanced set of KPIs across finance, customers, processes and people shows what is driving your results right now.
Business growthUnderstanding your business model - from leads to profit
Work backwards from the profit you want. Fixed costs plus target profit, divided by contribution per sale, gives the number of sales and leads you need.
Business growthHow to build a business that works without you
Run your business as though you were about to franchise it. Documented systems, defined roles and written standards let you step away without it struggling.
GuidesImportant changes at Companies House and what this means for you
From 18 November 2025 every UK company director and Person with Significant Control must verify their identity at Companies House before any filing is made.
TaxThe Budget Analysis
The Budget confirmed a five year corporate tax roadmap, holding corporation tax at 19 per cent on the first £50,000 and 25 per cent above £250,000 of profit.
Want David to look at your numbers?
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.