Author

Jake Smith

Content Strategy Manager

Bio

With a first-hand experience in self-employment, Jake Smith worked for Crunch as Content Strategy Manager - leading key initiatives and utilising his marketing skills in SEO, PPC, UX, Display, Social, Analytics and E-Commerce to boost our company's growth.

This included a comprehensive update to our Crunch Knowledge blog, providing support and advice to the self-employed that led to a 300% increase in traffic to over 1m monthly visits - earning Crunch a 'Best Content Marketing Campaign' gong at the British Accounting Marketing Awards in 2019.

Accreditations & Qualifications

CIM Marketing Academy
Web Application Development at The Open University

Articles, Knowledge and Guides

Posts by Jake Smith

How to quit your job

Ready for pastures new? Before you tell the boss exactly where to go, read our top tips on how to quit your job the right way.

How to reduce your Corporation Tax Bill (legally)

Lowering your Corporation Tax just takes diligence, a bit of knowledge of the tax system, and a few minutes every month making sure everything is recorded.

What is Self Assessment? How to complete your Self Assessment

New to contracting or freelancing? Struggling with filing your first Self Assessment? Our quick guide goes over the basics of what you should do.

Get ready for end of tax year (5th April 2025) & new tax year

We’re fast approaching the end of the tax year on 5th April 2025. Let's take a look at what you’ll need to know.

Foreign business travel: expenses and allowances explained

Most business owners will have their domestic business travel sussed, but international business travel has a few quirks you need to know about.

Five signs it's time to switch accountants (and how to do it!)

Is your accountant better at invoicing you than looking after your accounts? Here are the top five signs you need a new accountant.

What is a director service address and why do I need one?

As anyone is able to see the director service address on the public record, many people prefer to provide an alternative to their home address.

Gig economy: Deliveroo prepared to provide benefits to riders

Deliveroo has indicated it’s prepared to provide riders with benefits, and has called for the creation of a new classification for gig economy workers.

The Crunch Personal Tax Estimator - Our free tax calculator

Crunch's Personal Tax Estimator will help you work out the tax you may have to pay on your personal income, including sole trade income, salary & dividends.

Crunch Mortgage Monitor - a free service to save you money on your mortgage

Crunch Mortgage Monitor is a free service for Crunch Clients and Crunch Chorus members that checks every day to see if you could save money on your mortgage.

Crunch - the perfect UK replacement for Wave Accounting software

Wave Accounting is removing access to its free accounting software in the UK, but there’s an even better replacement for the UK’s self-employed heroes.

Crunch’s simple guide to the March 2021 Budget

Here is Crunch's small business friendly highlights from the the Chancellors March 2021 Budget affecting small business owners and the self-employed.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Guide for Employers

There have been a number of important changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJSR Furlough). Our guide explains what's changing and how to claim.

What help is available for small businesses, gig workers, and the self-employed affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The government has announced financial measures to support businesses through the Covid-19 emergency. There's support for certain employees, businesses and self-employed.

Coronavirus: if your company cannot file accounts with Companies House on time

Coronavirus: The government has announced a three month extension period to file accounts with Companies House during the coronavirus emergency

Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme - guide to the scheme and making a claim

The Coronavirus Business Bounce Back Scheme is designed to provide quick access to cash . We've put together this guide to help you make a claim

How to manage the new IR35 private sector rules as a contractor or hiring business

The government introduced major changes to IR35 in April 2021. What do contractors and businesses need to do to ensure they're meeting the new rules?

Can I pay my tax bill with a credit card?

Bad news if you were intending to pay off your Self Assessment tax bill with a personal credit card - this is no longer an option.

Capital Allowances, Annual Investment Allowance, and the Super-Deduction

Businesses can buy items of “plant and machinery” and offset some of that expenditure against their profits. Ltd companies can also claim a super-deduction.

How to build a website for your small business

Building a small business website doesn't have to cost the earth. However you choose to get your business on the internet, it’s important that you do.

Am I a UK tax resident?

Getting your UK tax status wrong could mean that your worldwide income is subject to UK tax. Find out how to get it right with this jargon-free article.

Working from home? What you can and can’t claim as an expense

If you spend time working from home, then depending on the work you do, you might be able to claim expenses back for using your home as an office.

What is the Supervision, Direction, or Control test and how does it affect travel and subsistence expenses?

If you work through a personal service company, then you need to understand how Supervision, Direction, or Control affects travel and subsistence expenses.

What is public liability insurance and what cover is required?

Public Liability Insurance won’t cover you retrospectively, so you should have it in place as soon as you start to interact with members of the public.

What is Pension Automatic Enrolment (PAE), how does it affect small businesses?

UK employers must provide access to a pension for their eligible workers. Employees can choose to opt out of auto-enrolment if they wish to. Find out more!

What is MTD and does it affect me?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the government’s plan to shift tax online. The initial changes will only really affect you if your business is VAT registered.

What is Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 105?

FRS 105 is the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to micro-entities in the UK (issued by the Financial Reporting Council ).

What is an Employment Related Security (ERS) and how does it affect my limited company?

Giving or awarding shares through an Employment Related Securities scheme can be a good way for employers to reward employees. Here's what you need to know.

P60 Form - What is a P60, do I need one and where do I get one?

Your P60 is a summary of your pay and all deductions in a specific tax year (6th April to 5th April the following year). Here's what it includes.

What do recruiters and agencies need to know about IR35?

IR35 changes were introduced on 6th April 2021 will have a significant impact on recruiters, both at employment agencies or in-house. Get your free guide.

What business expenses can I claim as a self employed Sole Trader?

Find out which expenses you can claim as a sole trader and how to claim them efficiently with this handy guide by accountancy software provider, Crunch.

What business expenses can I claim as a Limited Company?

There are often limited company business expenses that go unclaimed, which means you could end up paying more tax than you need to.

What are the main advantages of a limited company?

Many take the Sole Trader route when starting a business, but there are huge benefits and advantage associated with setting up a limited company.

Taxation of company cars and vans - how much will you pay?

Our jargon-free article explains the tax consequences surrounding company cars / vehicles for employers and employees that you need to know about.

What are the tax implications of closing your limited company?

Thinking about closing your limited company? This article will explain the two main options - informal strike of or members' voluntary liquidation.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme - guide for the self-employed

We've put together this guide to help you make a claim on the government's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme aimed at sole traders and partnerships.

Self-employed National Insurance explained

What is National Insurance and do the self-employed have to pay it? This article explains it all as simply as possible.

How to pay yourself as a sole trader and how much to put aside for tax

As a sole trader, you’re not directly employed and you don't receive a salary or wage in the traditional sense. So, how do you pay yourself?

Oh, Snap! We've got a free receipt scanning app to record expenses!

With Snap, our new receipt scanning app all you have to do is take and upload a photo of the receipt or invoice for an expense.|With Snap, our new receipt scanning app all you have to do is take and upload a photo of the receipt or invoice for an expense.

What is Employers’ Liability Insurance? What cover is required?

Employers’ Liability Insurance often provokes many questions, not least whether or not you actually need it. We answer the most commonly asked questions.

Managing your accounts and tax as a self-employed dentist, hygienist, or dental therapist

We’ve put together this comprehensive, jargon-free guide to help you understand how best to set up as self-employed, and how to act tax-efficiently.

Limited company director's responsibilities: What you need to file with HMRC & Companies House and when

What are your responsibilities as a limited company director? We explain what you need to file with Companies House & HMRC so you can keep on top of things.