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Small Business Saturday kicks off tomorrow

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6th Dec 2013
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Tomorrow the UK will host its first ever Small Business Saturday, aimed at celebrating and boosting small business and independent retailers across the country. 

With three weeks to go before Christmas, this weekend is expected to be one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. 

The government-backed event is aimed at encouraging Christmas shoppers to support local businesses, and is being supported by an active social media and online campaign

The initiative was launched in the USA in 2010 by American Express with government support and is claimed to have encouraged 100m Americans to spend US$5.5bn.

Any of the 4.8m small businesses in the UK wishing to get involved can visit the official website and register for an information pack. 

Around a third of local councils will be hosting local events around the UK, and HMRC is providing a series of free live webinars between 10am and 5pm tomorrow, around questions new small businesses might face. The topics and times include:

  • Self-Employment – what you need to know  (10-11am) - Focusing on the information sole traders or partnerships need when they start. It covers registration, National Insurance, self assessment and record keeping.
  • Company Directors – your responsibilities to HMRC (12-1pm) - Aimed at those considering setting up as limited companies. It will cover basics on incorporation and registration with Companies House and HMRC as well as employer responsibilities and the timetable for paying Corporation Tax online.
  • Business expenses for the self-employed (2-4pm) An overview of the most common expenses for sole traders  and partnerships, record keeping-responsibilities and which expenses they can claim for tax relief, including motoring costs.
  • VAT Awareness (4-5pm) - Will explain in simple terms how VAT works.

AccountingWEB's sister site BusinessZone.co.uk will also be taking part in the action and will be covering the event on their website and social media channels throughout the day.

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